The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council received the news of the recent redeployment of some staffers of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) with surprise and condemned the labeling of our members as dullards and incompetent.
While not opposing the State government’s stance on restructuring, we viewed its action against 22 of our members, some of whom are in possession of various degrees including Masters, Post graduates and Law as uncharitable.
Over the years, we have it on records that these categories of people were versatile, dutiful and worthy of Journalism practice.
As long standing workers, we are convinced that they have run various programmes and carried out assignments that have projected and repositioned the Corporation as one of the best among broadcast media in Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
We hasten to state that the expertise and knowledge know how of the redeployed members have in no small measure contributed to whatever achievements the BCOS and government of Oyo State can claim at the moment.
Our fear now is that, the government’s labeling of our members as incompetent, redundant and ineptitude would in the future affect their hard-earned reputation, integrity and credibility.
The implication of having this on records against our members is an albatross that would live with them for the rest of their lives if not retracted as most of them have put in their best for upwards of twenty years and even above in service.
We, therefore, strongly demand for a reversal of the uncomplimentary words used to describe our members in the current restructuring exercise embarked upon by Oyo State government.
We don’t want to believe as reported in certain quarters that the exercise which affected some management staff and Union leaders was a calculated and premeditated attempt to cripple Unionism in the Broadcasting outfit.
ADEWUMI FANIRAN – Chairman
BOLA OGUNLAYI – Secretary
