Media Relations Consultant, Chief Fidel Onyeneke has called for constitution of a Reconciliation Committee by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to reunite aggrieved media practitioners in the interest and growth of the journalism profession.
Onyeneke made the call in Owerri in a message to the new Executive Council of NUJ, Imo State Council led by Ifeanyi Nwanguma.
He said that the reconciliatory machinery needed to be put in place as a matter of urgency considering the battered image and integrity of the union in the state due to bickering, mudslinging and the subsequent factionalization.
Onyeneke, a former State Chairman and National Trustee of NUJ said that the reconciliation Committee should comprise veteran journalists, leaders of the chapels, members of NAWOJ, some aggrieved journalists, and some members of the public.
Onyeneke regretted that the honour, integrity and respect of NUJ have been reduced to nothing as a result of quarrels and misunderstanding by some of the members.
He therefore reminded the culprits that NUJ is bigger than an individual and as such, it amounts to great disservice for a person to destroy his or her professional union.
“Misunderstandings cannot be ruled out in any organization, but what is more important is for the aggrieved persons who have made their points to know when to start and when to stop” he stated.
Onyeneke advised all to swallow their pride and come together for a roundtable discussion, stressing that history will never be fair to anybody who contributed to the death of the journalism profession in Imo state.
The media relations consultant urged the NUJ Execute Council to extend its hands of fellowship to all journalists irrespective of their faction for peace and spirit of oneness to reign supreme.
“The current situation in Imo NUJ has brought shame and disrespect to journalists in the state. People now capitalize on the disunity to treat the media practitioners with disdain” Onyeneke lamented.
He appealed to all to embrace peace and come to terms with the dire need to restore the lost dignity and glory of the journalism profession in Imo state.
“Every journalist must not be an exco member of NUJ. People can contribute their quota towards the growth of the union by supporting the officials and giving them ideas on how to move the profession forward” he advised.
Onyeneke also suggested that the court cases affecting the NUJ should be formally withdrawn while Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) principles should be applied to settle the cases as members of one family.
He urged all the aggrieved persons to sheath their swords and give peace a chance as the issues are resolved amicably with the mantra of “no victor, no vanquished”.
Onyeneke expressed worries that journalists in Imo State might run into problems during the coverage of the oncoming general elections if they do not settle their differences and go into the professional field as members of one family.
According to him, the risks involved in elections coverage requires a lot of synergy, sharing of ideas, comparing of notes and above all, protection of one another.
