Current Lagos NUJ Leadership Lacks Integrity—Vice Chairman

By Dipo Olowookere

The Vice-Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs Abiola Beckley, has accused the leadership of the organisation in the state under the Chairmanship Mr Qasim Akinreti of having no integrity.

Mrs Beckley made this allegation while declaring support for one of her colleagues, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who aims to occupy the position.

Mr Ajayi, a former national financial secretary of the NUJ, is seeking to drag the post with Mr Akinreti in the September 29, 2020 election in Lagos.

Declaring her support for Mr Ajayi at the NAN Media Centre in Iganmu, Lagos, the vice-chairman said the NAN journalist is the right person to take the group forward, promising to deliver her chapel, Daar Communications Plc, for him.

“I am here to declare my support to one and only Leye Ajayi. There is no integrity in the current leadership of the Lagos Council of NUJ,” Mrs Beckley, who is also seeking a second term, said when Mr Ajayi flagged off his campaign.

At the event, eight members of the present 11 executive members of the Lagos arm of NUJ, including Mrs Berkley, declared their support for Mr Ajayi.

Echoing Mrs Berkley’s view, the treasurer of the council, Mrs Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe, accused the incumbent chairman of not being transparent in the affairs of the association.

“I hate when leaders tell lies and deceive people. When we talk about integrity, we should live life. I am appealing to you all to stand with Leye Ajayi,” Mrs Ogunjuyigbe begged.

The secretary of the Lagos NUJ, Alfred Odifa, who also spoke at the campaign, submitted that if eight of the 11 executives of the organisation are against the present leader, it had spoken loudly of the quality of his leadership.

Speaking at his campaign, Mr Ajayi said he was overwhelmed by the level of support he has received, promising to run a transparent and inclusive administration.

“I am a transparent man and a listener. I assure you all that I will never disappoint you if given the mandate,” he assured and promised to work on members’ welfare, resolve Mowe/Ofada Pen Jewel Estate Project and all pending projects, ensure accountability and partnership, ethics and professionalism in the union.

The eight executives who want Mr Akinreti out of office are Mrs Abiola Beckley (Vice-Chairman), Alfred Odifa (Secretary), Adesola Ekine (NAWOJ Chairperson), Debo Oshundun (SWAN Chairman), Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe (Treasurer), Phillip Nwosu (Assistant Secretary) and Innocent Anaba (ex-officio member).

Efforts made by Business Post to get the response of Mr Akinreti on the issues raised by the eight excos were futile as at the time of publishing this report as he did not respond to the message and call to him.