Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, a distinguished socialite, entrepreneur, and politician, has congratulated Comrade Alhassan Yahya on his resounding victory as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Comrade Yahya emerged victorious at the 2024 NUJ Delegates Conference held on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State.
In a congratulatory message on Friday, Ajanaku praised Yahya’s triumph as a testament to his widespread acceptance and the trust reposed in him by journalists across Nigeria. He described the win as a “landslide victory with an extraordinary margin” and called on Yahya to use his mandate to strengthen the unity and welfare of journalists while promoting unbiased and ethical reportage.
Ajanaku emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping Nigeria’s future, urging journalists to serve as catalysts for change in addressing the country’s economic, security, and agricultural challenges. “The media wields the power to rewrite the narrative of our great nation. Journalists are uniquely positioned to transform the unpatriotic tendencies of citizens into sincere and developmental mindsets,” he said.
Highlighting the current crises in Nigeria, Ajanaku lamented the prevalence of inadequate and misleading information, which, he argued, hampers national progress. He underscored the need for a safe and enabling environment for journalists to thrive, stressing that fair remuneration and protection are vital to ensuring objectivity in their work.
“With the overwhelming support Comrade Yahya has received, I believe he is well-equipped to unify the media community and tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including economic instability, security lapses, and agricultural inefficiencies,” Ajanaku said.
He further called on journalists to provide accurate and impartial information to support decision-making at all levels of governance. “A president cannot be everywhere, nor can he identify inefficiencies within ministries without the media’s input. Similarly, the judiciary, military, and police require transparent reportage to function effectively and eliminate corruption,” he added.
Ajanaku warned against the dangers of compromising journalistic standards, stating that poor welfare conditions often push professionals to unethical practices. “When journalists are underpaid, unprotected, and lack job security, they are left vulnerable to compromises. This not only undermines their objectivity but also jeopardizes national development,” he noted.
Reiterating his belief in the media as the heartbeat of any nation, Ajanaku called for robust policies to protect journalists from assaults and killings while ensuring their welfare is prioritized. “If journalists are well-supported, Nigeria can be repositioned to achieve economic growth, security, and development in other sectors,” he concluded.
Ajanaku also prayed for Yahya’s successful tenure, saying, “I wish Comrade Alhassan Yahya and his team great accomplishments in their leadership. May their tenure bring transformational changes to the NUJ and the nation at large.”
This strong endorsement from Ajanaku adds to the growing expectations for the new NUJ leadership to steer the union toward unity, professionalism, and a renewed sense of purpose in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda.
