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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has been advised to learn the habit of inspiring veteran journalists by celebrating them.

The Delta State Director General (DG) of the Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay, gave the advice in Asaba when he played host to some members of the Delta NUJ 2019 Press Week Committee led by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and the Regional Editor of the Vanguard Newspapers, Pastor Emma Amaize.

While charging journalists to work hard to restore dignity of the profession through positive radical changes that would benefit the union, the former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) said only the state governor and his deputy were exempted from using the Press Centre for briefing, adding that when the governor or his deputy was briefing, the union chairman presided over it.

Expressing worries that many veteran journalists had been neglected in retirement, Comrade Macaulay, who chronicled past NUJ leaders that had contributed so much to the union, appealed to the leaders of the union to always recognize distinguished members and render assistance to those with challenges.

Macaulay, a former Delta State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who said he was happy the union was trying to retrace her steps, that this was the first time the Union was recognizing him, urged the council to go beyond him to remember others that had contributed to its growth.

According to him, such gesture would make members of the union to be more committed to serve if they know they would be remembered after serving.

“Journalists are people who don’t have. We used to promote ourselves and honour our past leaders. We don’t have history past leaders of NUJ in Delta because records of predecessors and successors are not caption. Ambassador Ralph Uwechue was first patron of the Union and there were many others that helped stand the Union but today they are not being remembered,” Macaulay noted.

“I am happy that I am receiving an Award from my primary constituency. If we don’t create the genesis of respect we won’t be remember. It’s not just about me but recognizing your leaders even hanging their pictures is a sign of respect,” he added.

Earlier, the Regional Editor of Vanguard Newspaper and Chairman of the Delta NUJ 2019 Press Week Comrade Emma Amaize, disclosed that the visit was to formally inform and to present a letter to Comrade Macaulay as former Chairman of the body who had risen so high in politics of the planned program scheduled for 10th – 15th December, 2019.

While presenting Comrade Macaulay a letter containing details of the program, Amaize revealed that the union had nominated Comrade Macaulay for All Time Veteran and Achievement award at the forthcoming press week.

“One has to earned honour. As colleagues, we believe you are thorough. You are clean. Macaulay you are one journalist that rose State Chairman of NUJ and NLC at different times, Commissioner in different Ministries and SSG. You are one journalist that have done well and has carried yourself honourably. No journalist has risen to your position. We cannot have someone like and not honour him. As our former Chairman we need your supports and acceptance as Chairman of the occasion”. Emma Amaize stated.

The State Council Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, appealed to the former labour leader-turned politician not to withhold his supports and assistance to the union.
He said that the union was always happy whenever Comrade Macaulay’s was mentioned in government circle because of the trust they had in him.