By Omotayo Ayanda
In a shocking and disheartening turn of events, the executive committee of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, has been accused of hoarding over 1,000 bags of 10kg rice donated by the Kwara State Government.
The rice, intended to support journalists in the state and bring joy during the Christmas and New Year festivities, has yet to be distributed to members despite the state government’s generous gesture.
Since the inception of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration, his government has shown commendable support for the media profession in the state. This includes the complete renovation of the NUJ Secretariat, which was previously on the brink of collapse, and consistent provision of palliatives to support journalists. These efforts have significantly enhanced the working environment for the media in Kwara.
However, the alleged actions of the NUJ executive have sparked outrage and disappointment within the journalist community.
Sources reveal that the donated rice, which was meant to be distributed among journalists, has remained locked up in the secretariat hall. This has left many Journalists hopeless as they have been deprived of the government’s rice gift that could make them enjoy the festive season with their families, as they struggle to afford basic food supplies for the festive.
In an embarrassing incident, a journalist from the Correspondents’ Chapel who attempted to collect his share of the rice was reportedly accosted at the secretariat gate, where the bag of rice was forcefully seized from him.
This situation marks a sharp deviation from past practices, where gifts from the government or philanthropists were promptly distributed to the various chapels for equitable allocation under proper monitoring.
If this impunity of rice hoarding is allowed to persist unchecked it will grossly amount to sabotaging the government’s kindness and support for Journalists in the state
Investigations suggest that the executive deliberately imposed stringent and arbitrary conditions on members, preventing many from accessing the rice donation. Some members were reportedly deemed ineligible due to alleged lack of professional qualifications, while others were excluded for allegedly failing to pay professional dues.
The exclusion of members from benefiting has heightened tensions, particularly as it follows a lawsuit filed by aggrieved union members against the election of Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed and his team. The lawsuit, which is still ongoing, challenges the validity of the election, accusing the National Officers of disenfranchising many members.
With the festive season underway, many journalists who had counted on the government’s palliative relief are now left disillusioned and frustrated.
The NUJ executive’s failure to distribute the rice has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and their commitment to the welfare of members. Instead of advocating for the interests of journalists, the leadership is now perceived as prioritizing personal gains and political loyalties.
The arbitrary conditions placed on distribution, coupled with the exclusion of many members, have deepened divisions within the union. This incident relates to a broader issue of disenfranchisement, with numerous journalists feeling alienated under the current leadership.
Moreover, the executive’s lack of a clear or justifiable explanation for withholding the rice donation has aggravated the sense of betrayal among members. Historically, such gifts were distributed fairly and promptly through various Chapels, fostering unity within the union.
The unresolved court case further reflects the deep dissatisfaction with the current leadership, whose actions continue to undermine trust and solidarity within the union.
As the holidays approach, this misstep by the executive will likely have lasting repercussions on its credibility and unity. Members have voiced their displeasure, and the leadership’s actions will be remembered as a failure to uphold the values of fairness, transparency, and solidarity essential to a professional body.
For the Kwara NUJ, this incident serves as a wake-up call to prioritize the collective welfare of its members and restore trust within the union.