By Barth Ikiebe in Abuja.
The Planning Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, 70th Anniversary, has begun a tour of Media Houses to seek partnership and support from notable Media Houses for the forthcoming celebration of NUJ @70.
Members of the team visited TVC, Trust Media Group and Arise Television and were received by top management staff of the outfits.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, who doubles as the Deputy President of the NUJ, Dr. Abimbola Oyetunde, commended the media houses for their laudable contributions and consistency in the media industry as well as their support for NUJ.
She remarked that the forthcoming 70th Anniversary of the Union is monumental as the event would be the first of its kind for the NUJ, explaining that the celebration would be used to honour past heroes of the Union, deserving individuals and Corporate Organisations, who have supported the union at various times.
Dr Oyetunde stated, “the NUJ has come a long way in the struggle to have a better society and a greater country, Nigeria.”
She went down the memory lane in narrating how the NUJ was formed in 1955, saying that Journalists in Nigeria have lived up to expectations In contributing to the growth of the society.
“Journalists have indeed championed the quest for entrenching democracy and the rule of law in the country, despite operating in a very harsh and hostile environment,” she declared.
The NUJ Deputy President appealed to the leadership of the various Media outfits to ensure that NUJ @70 is a resounding success through robust publicity.
In their various remarks, the management of the outfits thanked the NUJ@70 Anniversary Planning Committee for the visit, stating that the Union is worth celebrating at 70 for its doggedness and immense contribution to nation building and will continue to champion ethical journalism.
The media executives, Ayodele Ozugbakun, Head, TVC Abuja/Northern Operations, Hamza Idris, Daily Trust Group, Acting Editor-in-Chief, Adebayo Awosemo, Deputy MD, Arise TV, in their respective speeches, promised to do all in their power to give the historic event good coverage.
The NUJ @70 visiting team include, the Committee Chairman, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, a veteran journalist, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, Chairman, NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike and the Assistant National Secretary, Comrade Tita Onyebuchi Nze.
Highlights of the visits were presentation of advocacy letters and group photographs.
The NUJ@70 celebration will hold on the 21st of June, 2025.
