Kunle Adelabu
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Television (LTV) chapel, has thrown its weight behind Mrs Sola Kosoko, as the substantive General Manager of the first state – owned television in Nigeria, describing her as a seasoned journalist and professional broadcaster.
The body commended the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for his intervention in staff welfare and rehabilitation of the broadcast station, while also assuring him of its maximum support and cooperation for Kosoko, in turning around the dwindling fortune of the station which is the official mouthpiece of the state.
Kosoko was appointed as the acting GM of the LTV, following the exit of Mrs Teju Alabi.
The NUJ chapel made its position known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Olumide Ojo, to counter a publication alleging that Kosoko is not popular among the staff. He also stated that the station has abundant professionals with capacity to manage and turn around the station, instead of bringing anyone from outside.
“We want to categorically state that Mrs Sola Kosoko is a seasoned Journalist/Broadcaster, with vast experience spanning over 25 years , working under the best in the industry”, he said.
“As a matter of fact, if it pleases Mr Governor to appoint her as the next General Manager of Lagos Television, members of staff will be more than happy to cooperate with her to rekindle the dwindling fortunes of the first state – owned television in Nigeria, the official mouthpiece of the state of excellence
“We also want to affirm that, there is no rancour amongst members of staff in Lagos Television, rather, we are all excited and hope for the emergence of a member of staff, well- grounded in broadcasting as substantive General Manager of our dear station. The purported agitation is the figment of imagination, utter mischief and evil machinations of desperate elements trying to position themselves to take over the TV station and milk it dry.
“The NUJ, LTV chapel, strongly believes that, we do have capable hands in-house, who are seasoned broadcasters, with the wherewithal to take the organization to the next level. Indeed, recent experience has shown that ‘foreign ‘elements are not necessarily better than the in-house personalities, especially with Lagos Television products doing very well in the ranks of private television stations across the country”, the statement added.
Reacting to the purported publication, LTV’s NUJ chapel said that it lacks every principle of news reporting and should not be considered as a serious piece.
However, it expressed its worry that disgruntled persons are toying with the station’s integrity over selfish interests.
“The attention of the executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Lagos Television (LTV) chapel, has been drawn to a write up flying about, on some social media platforms”, it said.
“In the said write up, probably written by an illiterate or a half-baked graduate, or deliberately written badly to cover the trail of the writer, it was alleged that:
“Some members of staff are aggrieved with the appointment of Mrs Sola Kosoko , as acting General Manager .
“That she got the appointment because of her purported relationship with powers that be.
“That her style of leadership might be detrimental to the growth of the TV station”.
“The union executive, on behalf of our members, hereby, state categorically that:
“The poorly – written story betrays known basic news values, including Accuracy, Factuality, amongst others. As such, it cannot be taken seriously”, NUJ, LTV Chapel said.
“We feel pained that disgruntled elements, with and without clamouring and lobbying for the post of the headship of Lagos Television, are bent on using the television station as a pawn and a playground for their selfish motives”.
