THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ)

             HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTSThe Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), was founded on March 15th 1955 in Lagos, the then Capital City of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.The union had some early nationalists with the fire of patriotism and nationalism burning in them and their writings included the first Governor General of Nigeria, the late Owelle of Onitsha, the Rt Hon (Dr.) Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa; the late Herbert Macaulay and Chief H. O. Davies who, with the launch of the Yoruba vernacular newspaper “Iwe Irohin ni Ede Yoruba”, founded by the late Rev. Ajayi Crowther in Abeokuta, in 1929, wrote powerfully, in their newspapers, columns on the need for Nigeria's self-rule.The NUJ's birth was linked to the struggle for the independence of Nigeria. The struggle, it would be recalled gave birth to many protest groups, all yearning for the country's independence from the British. The groups came in various shades. Some were political in nature, like the Nigerian Youth Movement, a platform for the nationalists. Others were trade unions and professional groups. It was established by some early Nationalists for an independent Nigeria via the power of the pen.However,between 1961-1969,the union failed to operate as a trade union and this lead to the union's name being removed from the list of the registered trade unionsOne of the observations of the Abiodun Panel in the Restructuring of Trade Unions was the lack of wherewithal as a union and this led to the demand that full time staff of all trade unions must have some trade union experience and also be imbued with the knowledge of the industry in which they operateBetween 1961 - 1969 the Union's name was struck out from the list of the registered Trade Unions,this was because the Union had failed to operate as a trade Union. Attempts to reregister the union was embarked upon in 1973 but failed due to some changes in the law system.The union remained de-registered and operated as a mere professional body till 1977 when the Abiodun Trade Union Restructuring Panel embarked on the industrialization of trade unions in the country.The NUJ would have missed the opportunity but for the efforts of some journalists in Lagos and the old Western Region who used the pages of their newspapers to draw attention to the NUJ. Through their efforts, the NUJ and other unions which had been deregistered before the exercise were included and got carried along in the Abiodun programme. Alhaji Lateef Jakande facilitated the early launch of the second council and he is involved in the lagos union.The union now operates 37 state councils, eight zones, 740 chapels and affiliate bodies like Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) with the headquarters at the Federal Capital Territory which serves as the national secretariat. Before the 1977 amendments and the appointment of fulltime national secretary, the union operated a mobile secretariat whereby the secretary resided there, the secretariat was located.
THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALIST PAST AND PRESENT LEADERSMobolaji Odunewu 1951-1959Peter Ayeni 1970-1972Alhaji Saka Fagbo 1972-1973Chief Abimbola Odunlami 1973-1975Alhaji Sidi Ali-Sirajo 1975-1977Chief Micheal B. Asaju 1977-1980Alhaji Bola Adedoja 1980-1985Chief George Izobo 1985-1989Alh. Moh'd Sani Zorro 1990-1994Comrade Ladi Lawal 1994-1995Mr. Bonnie C. Iwuoha 1996-1997Lanre Ogundipe 1997-1999Prince Smart Adeyemi 1999-2006Akwu Ndagene Ndamele 2006-2009Comrade Mohammed Garba 2009-till date
MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
Journalism entails a high degree of public trust. To earn and maintain this trust, it is morally imperative for every journalist and every news medium to observe the highest professional and ethical standards. In the exercise of these duties, a journalist should always have a healthy regard for the public interest. Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently and every journalist should strive to ascertain the truth of every event.

THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISM LIST SOME CODE OF ETHICS FOR NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS
Journalism entails a high degree of public trust. To earn and maintain this trust, it is morally imperative for every journalist and every news medium to observe the highest professional and ethical standards. In the exercise of these duties, a journalist should always have a healthy regard for the public interest.Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth of every event.Conscious of the responsibilities and duties of journalists as purveyors of information, we, Nigerian journalists, give to ourselves this Code of Ethics. It is the duty of every journalist to observe its provisions. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
Decisions concerning the content of news should be the responsibility of a professional journalist.


ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS
PRIVACY
PRIVILEGE/NON-DISCLOSUREDECENCYDISCRIMINATION
REWARD AND GRATIFICATION VIOLENCE
CHILDREN AND MINORS
ACCESS TO INFORMATION 
PUBLIC INTERESTSOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PLAGIARISM
COPYRIGHT
PRESS FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY