Oyo NUJ Embarrasses Members, Bows to Makinde -By Toheeb Babalola

As an early-career journalist, my trip into journalism was a burn-out of rendering service for humanity and holding the policymakers accountable to the people – which simply describes the profession as a ‘human-oriented’ responsibility. However, the recent action of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Chapter, at the formal commissioning of Seyi Makinde Central Mosque, Adogba, has demoted the canon of the profession.

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, around 12:00 pm, I came all the way from Egbeda Local Government down to Adogba area, Iwo-road, purposely to check the newest fares of the interstate buses.

Reaching the motor parks, I eagle-eyed heavy security personnel consisting of Nigerian Police Force, Western Security Network (Amotekun), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Islamic Boy’s Brigade at the newly built central mosque which is opposite to the parks. Immediately, I crossed the roads to check what was happening over there.

At the entrance of the central mosque, Bouncers were conducting ‘stop and search’ before granting access for anybody, many Muslims were outside pleading and looking at those inside through the fence. The inside was covered with four canopies, under them a few Islam scholars seated and paid attention to Islamic sermons on the widescreens. I asked an elderly man standing beside me about the event, he told me that the Sultan of Sokoto, Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries want to commission the central mosque.

Hearing this, I decided to stay and gather a first-hand news report of the ceremony for my medium. Every political office holder started congesting the parking-lot with their exotic black jeeps, and the local drummers approached, extolled them with the hope of getting naira notes. While many people in stunning attires were still struggling with bouncers for access at the entrance.

Exactly 01:43pm, a white official bus with the inscription, “Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Oyo State Council ” drove in and parked directly to where I stood. I did not focus on the bus before because it is normal duty of journalists to grace such an event. Unexpectedly, Caterers and Servers (in their white uniform and aprons) were trooping out of the bus with takeaway foods and drinks, and I was flabbergasted.

It was very ridiculous and embarrassing to see our unique professional body serving as a food dispatcher at an event organised by the State Government. And this has raised concerns among the public and stained the white cloth of our profession.

Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is an association under the Nigerian Press Council, established to safeguard the ethical practice of the profession. Journalists, as the fourth estate of the realm, are supposed to protect the interest of the people and be politically neutral in order to ensure and maintain a high degree of public trust.

Side view of the bus under offloading.

With what I saw on Thursday and past scenarios, I comprehended that the conscience of the NUJ in Oyo State has been bought by the State Government. Months ago, the pleasant exchange between Makinde and leaders of NUJ raised concerns in the public.

It would be hard for the Executives to deny for not being aware of the usage of NUJ Official bus as a food dispatcher, on Thursday. If there is no tight collaboration between the body and the State Government, such a scenario would have never occurred. “I also saw it and I felt embarrassed where I was seated, I thought I was the only one”, said a journalist who covered the commissioning event.

On July 27, the public noticed the strange romance between Governor Makinde and the NUJ leaders, where he (through his Chief Press Secretary)presented SUV vehicles to the Chairman, Chief Demola Babalola and other journalists from different media houses.

Babalola, in his appreciation texts said “In July (2years ago) when we (Dare, Mayor and I) had a chance meeting with His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde and discussion reached some point. The Governor felt concerned about the plight of Nigerian Journalists and he promised to change the narrative for the better.

“He had always been a Philanthropist of note. He has continued to play very many supportive roles in my life before and after my election as NUJ Chairman. While leaving the meeting, he promised to buy SUV Cars as gifts for our contributions to nation building and more importantly, to ease our tasks as stakeholders in the project Oyo State”

We as purveyors of information about the policymakers ought not to stoop so low and become their errand dogs for the sake of brown envelopes.  The people and other politicians are watching us from afar as we are losing our weapons before the State Government.

It is not also for us (Journalists) to see public office holders and politicians as enemies, we all need each other in one way or the other. However, we should stay glue to the professional principles. If the predecessors keep violating the rules, what should we (early career journalists) look up to?

Ajose wakonibaje o!

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