By Michael Adeyemo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo State Council, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting professionalism in journalism through capacity building and improved welfare for its members.
The Chairman of the Union, Mr Akeem Abass, made this known while speaking on Pensioners FM’s weekend current affairs programme, “Voice of Liberation”.
He emphasised that true professionalism in journalism can only be achieved when practitioners are properly empowered.
Mr Abass disclosed that the NUJ had secured two major training programmes for journalists in the state, including an artificial intelligence (AI) training scheduled for the 28th and 29th of this month, with about 120 journalists expected to participate.
He added that another training, in partnership with Google Africa, would hold towards the end of February and involve about 150 journalists.
According to him, the issue of journalists collecting “brown envelopes” is largely linked to poor empowerment, stressing that equipping journalists with relevant skills and alternative sources of income would help address the problem.
The NUJ chairman also revealed that a committee had been constituted to engage media owners and the Oyo State Government on the review of journalists’ salaries and allowances.
Mr Abass further noted that the union is exploring avenues to boost its internally generated revenue as part of efforts to better support its members.
