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By Madu Obi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has advocated that media and image making political appointments should be strictly accorded journalists to maintain the standards in the industry and in line with best global practices.
The Federal Capital Territory council of the NUJ canvassed the position while commending the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje for appointing a former President of the Union, Mallam Muhammed Garba as his Chief of Staff and Chief Oliver Okpala, a veteran journalist, as Senior Special Assistant, Public Enlightenment.
In a statement, the Secretary of the Abuja Council, Comrade Ochiaka Ugwu said the appointment of Garba and Chief Okpala were well deserved owing to their wealth of experience and competences in the media industry.
The statement said: "We noticed a trend in the political arena where vital image managing positions were given to non journalists, but having given this important appointment to a versatile and cerebral journalist like Chief Okpala shows your commitment in reversing the ugly drift for better to enhance professionalism."
“Recall that you also appointed former NUJ President, Mallam Muhammed Garba as your Chief of Staff and now Chief Oliver. It shows readiness to work with thoroughbred practitioners with the aim of promoting professionalism."
"We are optimistic that Chief Okpala, who previously served governors and other top politicians in the same capacity, would run issue- based media activities with his intellectual depth."
“It should be known that as an ace broadcaster in different media organizations, Okpala raised the bar in areas of performance, integrity and credibility rating of Nigerian media."
“We have no doubt that he will live up to expectation given his track record as a thoroughbred professional and an innovative broadcaster who has spent over four decades in information dissemination, APC will greatly benefit from his wealth of knowledge and experience gained over the years."
"As a Union, we place high premium on the goodwill we received from proactive individuals like Ganduje, and hope this will evolve into a long term mutually beneficial relationship as we consider you our friend and partner in progress."
“We fervently pray that the robust relationship between you and the NUJ FCT Council shall continue to grow in leaps and bounds.”
Comrade Ochiaka eulogized the APC national chairman, Dr. Ganduje for the action, saying that it was an indication of his commitment to excellence and determination to take the party to the next level, assuring that NUJ would continue to partner with the APC national chairman to deepen the nation's democracy.
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