Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has trained over 500 members in the last year to improve their professional skills.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman of the NUJ Lagos Council, revealed this on Monday during a Thank You Visit/Get Together at the News Agency of Nigeria’s Lagos Office (NAN).
“The current executive has sponsored Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) training for 49 council members, and 450 council members have been trained on how to use Google products through NUJ’s relationship with Google Newslab.”
“We have done these and other training programs that are too numerous to name,” Ajayi said.
According to him, in terms of welfare, his administration has supported some members in dire need of assistance.
Ajayi said that his administration had been able to restore peace and unity to the Lagos council after his tumultuous election into office last year.
The chairman said that the peace had improved members’ turnout during monthly congresses, which had tripled from what it used to be during the last administration.
He said that his administration was able to secure a brand new bus, courtesy of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Foundation, and facilitated by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudasiru Obasa.
On the remodeling of the Lagos NUJ council secretariat, Ajayi said that the quantity surveyor and former contractor (Fawaz Projects) were putting finishing touches to the value of work done so far on site.
“In the next few weeks, construction works will resume on the site,” he said.
Ajayi said that his administration had been able to restore the Lagos Council website with an official web link to promote the council’s activities as well as allow for membership data storage.
“This administration was able to get a sizeable number of sponsors for the year 2021 Press Week.
“According to people’s opinion, it was the best Press Week Lagos Council ever had,” Ajayis said.
Ajayi said that his administration had also been able to offset debts running into millions of naira which were incurred by the last administration.
“Life and health insurance schemes for members are ongoing.
“We have also secured NUJ ID Cards for more than 500 journalists in Lagos.
“We are also in the process of getting an investor to operate our Somolu Guest House on Build, Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model,” he said.
He said that his administration was working hard to refund subscribers of the Pen Jewel project and obtaining a provisional survey of Abaren land and the Certificate of Occupancy.
Speaking, Mr Ephraim Sheyin, Head of NAN Lagos Operations, commended Ajayi-led executive for the thank you visit, urging unity among media organisations.
Sheyin said: “The unity of purpose among members during the election was encouraging and should be maintained in all that we do.
“Your coming to NAN today is a reminder of the bond between NAN and Lagos NUJ.
“We expect this bond to be infectious in the area of welfare for members.
“Through the same bond, constructive criticism should channel to the executives in order for better performance.
(NAN)