Cornucopia: Thank you Odenigbo @ 63, as National Light Newspapers staff resurrect
By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD
National Light Newspapers staff have been restored back to the Civil Service of the Anambra State. Their disengagement has been put to rest by Governor Soludo’s love to build more reliable homes through sustainable work policies.
It was a thunderous news in the early hours of today August 2, 2023 after a robust meeting with Labour Leaders in the state.
Chairman of NLC led by Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor KSJI, with Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Edith Onwuka and Chairman of TUC, Comrade Chris Ogbonna made this possible with the magnanimity of the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo. If he had said no to the plea by labour leaders , it would have been a futile journey. But, he listened even when it was beyond him judging by obvious situations on ground at the office he explained to the labour leaders who concured his fears about National Light Newspapers.
The same night, Labour Leaders got a total inclusiveness for Pensioners in the state in any salary increament for workers or palliative to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy. Comrade Anthony Ugozor , Chairman of pensioners was so excited. The Governor’s palliative for workers shall be announced in days time.
The Governor noted so many points raised and reassured for immediate implementation including regular meetings with Labour Leaders in the state. He also approved for quarterly meeting or so with journalists to enable them ascertain his policies and programmes. He noted the meeting journalists had with Commissioner for Local government ,Town Union and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon TonyCollins Nwabunnwanne and assured that it would be organized for other Commissioners and agencies to have such with journalists. Fred Chukwuemeka Agbata of Anambra ICT Agency had such similar meeting with select journalists though I didn’t know exactly what happened there as I did with TonyCollins interaction.
I did inform Mr Governor that National Light is viable and can be generating N5 Milllion every month till it graduates to N10 Million or more depending as alternative to National Dailies for all local adverts paid for. No longer the era of placing advert without payment by ministries and agencies of government. I also said aside absorbing them into ministries where they have unique selling proposition, UPS, that 35 workers with ICT savvy and quality background in journalism and free of encumbrances to operate shall achieve this target for the state to the delight of His Excellency. The Governor accepted the proposition but explained faultless reasons why National Light Newspapers must die for a new baby to emerge, if it’s expedient. He went into all the Viability options did on the Organization before it was considered to be shut down. Everyone saw reaons with him. But , he was hopeful our suggestions would be an option though not with National Light. My mind was rioting ,knowing what to do to turn the newspaper around but I had wanted to ask him to make me the MD/CEO with initial support for a digitized organization. I can do it. I know few others who can. The Newspaper need not die for its legacies and uniqueness to Anambra Journalists and civil servants. I pray it resurrects soon under Soludo, better and stronger.
He even promised to employ more teachers and medical personnel , even when he already employed over 5 ,000 teachers , 300 medical personnel, hundreds of security men in our communities and by 5 years time, the palm trees and coconut trees shall create half a million people known as millionaires.
He reminded that so many of his plans including using the current government house for Silicon Valley to make our youths innovative in all ramifications. He muted the idea of brand new industrial cities. He said already 20, 000 youths are benefiting from one youth two skills, with more goodies loading for Anambra people. He is not abandoning infrastructure and other developmental strides.
He wonderd how a dead horse ( National Light Newspapers) shall be woken without being seen as waste of resources. It was a no brainer. He also condemned what he described as stale news churned out by the National Light weekly when stories are on the go. The committee set up by His Excellency didn’t do us a good job because journalists were not consulted. Did the committee do arm chair? I wish I knew those who chaired it. Why on earth would they not consult the staff even if it’s for one hour as well as the union on the Viability of the business and what even led to the non Viability? Office of the SSG and others are owing the organization several millions of naira. A case of government frustrating government agency. Where are the monies owed National Light Newspapers. Do they owe other newspapers like that?
National Light is more viable than Sun, Vanguard and Thisday if it’s rin aright. This is because of its peculiar location and environment as well as hundreds of unused man power in the Ministry that can contribute to it as government mouth piece. I think His Excellency needed an Adviser in my class for that. It needed a little policy shift and firm stance to see it’s Viability and businesses thrive. Why can’t all Printing work be done by National Light Newspapers and be paid for rather than personal printing organs with inflated costs?
It was emotional for Chidiebere Joe-Angi of NUPPPPROW when she presented a simple sentence before the number one citizen of the state. That was the turning point as the Governor asked her what her job description was at NationalLightNewspapers. She said graphics. He was shocked, she knows it practical, yet he approved for a graphics person not long ago to be employed in the Ministry. For the second time, the governor felt a pinch during the meeting. The first was when someone tried to wave away the suffering of the poorer people from Anambra. That touched His Excellency and he rose in defense. And we all were on his side.
Without National Light Newspapers, trainee journalists shall not have variety of training experiences in the state and trainee journalists have lost a place to dream to work or to learn the rudiments needed to ply the Trade of journalism. But, Soludo gave his words when he said a new outfit with capacity to thrive may spring up but not National Light Newspapers, the dead horse. Shall the name just die? What’s in a name?
Soludo gave us an all experience paid 2 hours lecture bordering on what we as Workers are ready to bring to the table, even when he feels our pains. Era of wastefulness is over ,noting all he is using as Governor were as it were during Chief Willie Obiano particularly the lodge. Unbelievable! We know another person may order for total renovation running into millions. His Innoson brands of vehicles are cheap and cheerful when he has opportunities to buy higher models of vehicles. Her Excellency, wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, as first Lady of the state has no official vehicles. She uses her husband’s personal vehicles. Her birthday outing at the hospitals was very touching. Do you know that cleanliness for the Governor’s lodge and office is N137 million a month before he came into office? Today, it’s about N11 million conservatively. Cost of Governance reduced to the barest minimum. He hasn’t borroweda dime even when House of Assembly gave him N100B borrowing window in the existing budget.
He knows the stress in economy of families caused by attitudes of leadership based on delusion and massive corruption, leading to Printing of N23 Trillion illegally, yet pumped into the economy by former President Buhari regime under the supervision of Godwin Emefiele. He was not only eloquent but convincingly demolishing and disarming the labour unions with his knowledge of statistics and figures. Two of his aides ,the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Ernest Ezeajughi and the Commissioner for Local government, Town Union and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon TonyCollins Nwabunnwanne were there.
When Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo pronounced National Light Newspapers moribund, economically unviable and no longer fit for purpose, nobody gave a listening ear. I was downcast and I raised all the alarm as Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council. I was consistent shouting on top of my voices but so many dismissed me as infant terrible. I was 100 percent sure of my information and stuck my head.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Paul Nwosu tagged me all manner of names including an alarmist and poor investigative journalist, but I never lost my focus on the ball. I did all I could within the armbits of the law to drew attention to the danger being awaited if National Light Newspapers staff were sacked without recourse. Thank God the Governor listened. Again let me thank the Head of Service, Barr Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni for her efforts. Some people we taught their background would have fired them to stand on the part of journalists looked the other way. They even insult journalists today because they are privileged to be on the other side. Shameless beings! A soldier never forgets he is one! Why this nonchalant attitude in a profession that made you thick? Even if you weren’t a journalist but by association worked in a media house or seen as one, why can’t you be on the part of honour. Journalists are members of the fourth Estate of the realm. After Executive, Judiciary and Legislature , the next is Fourth Estate of the realm as watchdogs not as lapdogs. Why should NUJ go cap in hands begging for attention or resources even as the only recognized profession in the constitution with duties aside the three arms.
Later my fears were confirmed and a letter of closure written signaling the end of the National Light Newspapers was done by SSG Prof Solo Chukwulobelu. End of era. Head of Service, Barr Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni was asked to disengage the staff and take care of the property. Hell was let loose and luckily government was listening against speculation by a high flying official of government that Soludo will never listen to our stand. A commisioner status at that. Tufiakwa!
Of all of us Journalists, Tony Okafor and a few others were consistent that Prof Soludo will listen to the journalists on the issue of NationalLight Newspapers. Theorists said a lot of things to pitch members of the NUJ with the government but we remained focused. A Commissioner status pissed me off but I held my breadth. MD/CEO of Anambra Printing Corporation publishers of National Light Newspapers, Sir Chuka Nnabuife nearly misread what I wrote and ready for a battle. I laughed in Amanuke. So many busybodies called me. At the same time, people with real concern called too preferring suggestions and others fanning the embers of a battlefield were also active. We remained focused. Thank God, it ended in praise.
We had several meetings with some representatives of government before finally passing the ball to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC led by Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor, KSJI.
We held some meetings but it was still near hope and NLC SEC in consultation with our vetrans met to discuss on the way forward. After a hindsight, SEC then met on August 1st, 2023 on the closure of Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation publishers of National Light Newspapers. SEC released a 6 point communique raising the issues it wants government to note. Fortunately, all these are in the past because by exactly 12:33 am , Charlie Nwa Mgbafor agreed not to disengage the National Light Newspapers staff following interventions by Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor led NLC in Anambra state. All the union leaders were strongly behind him. Gaius Chukwuka is the secretary of NLC. He took time noting all discussions.
As I write, jubilation is ongoing at the National Light Newspapers staff forum. I have recieved calls with assurances from staff that they shalll put in their best at their new duty posts in the various ministries and agencies of government. They are grateful to Governor Soludo. Their dead bones and hopelessness disappeared, giving hope and vigour a chance once more.
For me, I don’t know what to tell my parents particularly my mother who abandoned her drugs in protest that Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Paul Nwosu can’t be announcing my name over the airwaves in vain if I haven’t shown my stubbornness publicly. She is my sweet mum, so nothing to argue or say. She ordered me to apologize to Governor Soludo whether I did anything or nothing. I assured her of a piece to apologize though with a caveat that more developments revealed in the already done peirce shall equally be made public.
On the process, SSG released the secret letter I was referencing and Odogwu was exonerated. Evidence kills argument. Case closed. I awaited another press release announcing my name as a good interpretative journalist but heard none.
What a happy birthday gift from Odenigbo Aguata to National Light Newspapers staff via NLC labour leaders. It was a double celebration from the Governor and the wife. We appreciate this and we aren’t taking it for granted.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Pastor Chris Aburime insisted the governor is a good man when pens were loose against his administration’s stand on journalists working in National Light, and truly we are feeling him with this lift on disengagement of staffers of National Light Newspapers. We as journalists are waiting for more to happpen to our relationship with him and his team as Hon TonyCollins Nwabunnwanne has opened the door.
Glory be to God Almighty for this! For us Journalists with passion to hardcopy, we await a day soonest to also announce a new brand state newspaper with swag to represent Anambra and serve its purpose. Whatever the name, though rebranded National Light Newspapers serves!
NLC and TUC Chairmen later led other Labour leaders on protest against the N8,000 palliative from the federal government led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
They carried placards with so many inscriptions including N8,000 palliative to households is an insult to Nigerians.
The protest is nationwide.
Shalom !
Cornucopia is a weekly column of Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD.
Odogwu is a known Journalist, Editor, Media Consultant, Social Analyst, Teacher, Motivator, Unionist, Community leader, social analyst and Famous Blogger, as well as Social Media Entrepreneur, Publisher and Conversationalist @ www.odogwublog.com among others.
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