Posted by By AZUH AMATUS on
National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Ndagene Aku says that the union was solidly behind The Sun newspaper in its travails in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Ndagene Aku says that the union was solidly behind The Sun newspaper in its travails in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, during a solidarity visit to The Sun, Aku said: "There was no way the NUJ would not support The Sun" while telling the management of the paper to remain steadfast. He expressed the hope that at the end of the day, the newspaper would be vindicated and will smile last.
Said he: "You should remain steadfast and I want to assure you people of The Sun that we are with you in body, soul and spirit 100 percent. NUJ will always be behind The Sun. We are ready to float or sink with you.
"I'm optimistic that you will come out of this smiling. So there is no point losing hope. They might even compensate you." he added, while citing the case of the DAAR Communications over the demolition of its office complex in Abuja, as an example.
The NUJ president regretted what is happening to The Sun, saying that such would only happen because the nation practised military democracy in the last eight years. He however, expressed happiness that President Umar Yar'Adua is law abiding and believes in the law.
Aku, who was accompanied by Wahab Oba, the Lagos State chairman of the NUJ, said that making The Sun to suffer without the determination of the case against Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu was tantamount to placing the cart before the horse.
"You don't place the cart before the horse, it won't work no matter how hard you try," he said.
Akwu said the NUJ has been in solidarity with The Sun, adding that it was owing to its support for the newspaper that the matter was discussed at its last Central Working Committee meeting after which a statement was issued condemning any action that would jeopardize the interest of journalists in The Sun and the company.
He commended the management of The Sun for taking all necessary legal actions to resolve the matter. He said that he had observed the partisan report on the crisis by a section of the press, advising The Sun management to make a formal written complaint about it if it feels strongly about it.
While welcoming the NUJ president, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, said the newspaper was not interested in politics and has always stood for the truth.
He said: "All what is happening is just political. The Sun is only after the truth. We know they will not succeed against The Sun."
He thanked the NUJ boss for visiting the newspaper in its time of need, adding: "In times of crisis, the media should come together and form a united front. We feel honoured by your visit."
In his remarks, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, the Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief, The Sun, briefed the delagation on the extent of legal efforts and regretted that a section of the media was partisan in reporting the matter, adding that "since this whole thing started no media house has approached us, to hear from us.
" It is baffling how some people find joy in destroying other people's creativity. The Sun is about ideas and nobody can take that away from us," he added.
Niyi Okiri, the NUJ chairman of The Sun chapel, also pledged the workers' unflinching support and solidarity with the management. "We are solidly behind the management, no shaking," he said.