Jalingo – Journalists in the country have been urged to pay their professional fees to enable them to partake in the union’s activities.

Mr Lynn Adda, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Taraba State Council, gave the advice while inaugurating the Chapel’s executives of the state-owned newspaper, The Nigeria Sunrise, in Jalingo on Friday.

He pointed out that without payment of the professional fees, a journalist stood the danger of missing several opportunities, especially the right to vote and be voted for.

He urged the new officials of the chapel to strive toward the professional and general welfare of members, be objective and adhere to the code of ethics.

Adda cautioned against portraying the paper as a mouthpiece of government, saying that Sunrise reporters should cover adequately all activities in areas where they operate.

According to him, doing so will give the people the opportunity to get a feedback.

The Managing Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of the paper, Mr Danjuma Adamu, in his remarks, urged journalists to be rooted in truth and cooperate with government to help it to move forward.

Adamu described unionism as important because it provided a forum to discuss common problems, particularly those that concerned welfare of members.

He urged them to promote peace by balancing their reports and strive to present the views of both the government and the people objectively, promising that management would support the chapel to grow.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr Ossy Sunday, appealed to management to consider life insurance for his members as a priority.

He promised that himself and his members would not disappoint management in the discharge of their professional duties.

The Editor of the paper, Mr Bakoji Sukuji, in a vote of thanks, promised to ensure that professional fees for all journalists in the organisation were paid without delay.

He thanked the government of Taraba for the support.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor, Mr Emma Bello, challenged journalists to be supportive of government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zubainat Sadiq is Vice Chairman, Love Umar, Secretary, Victoria Rowland, Treasurer, Isidore Venkani, Financial Secretary, while Sandra Stephen is Auditor of the chapel.
(NAN)