The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel, has lauded the Managing Director of the Agency, Mr Buki Ponle, for the reinstatement of a member of staff, Mrs Bridget Ikyado.
The Acting Chairman of the NUJ NAN Abuja Chapel, Mr Collins Yakubu-Hammer, said in an interview on Sunday that Ikyado’s appointment was wrongly terminated by the former management of the Agency.
The union leader described the reinstatement of Ikyado by Ponle as a landmark victory for justice, democracy and the rule of law in the Agency.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Ponle to steer the activities of the Agency, adding that the reinstatement signified the present management’s value for justice and rule of law.
“This government, through Ponle and the management staff of NAN, has demonstrated that it cannot condone injustice and impunity on its workers.
“The former management sacked Ikyado without recourse to the public service rules. You cannot get up one day on the wrong side of the bed and decide to sack a staff without following the laid down rules in the public service.
“This has also shown that your being in power today does not give you the licence to maltreat workers, because you will not be there for ever.
“Today, Ikyado has been vindicated by the rules and a God sent the new Managing Director and management staff of NAN.
“May God bless President Buhari, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed and Ponle for this show of compassion and love for Ikyado,” Yakubu-Hammer said.
He appealed to Ponle to reinstate another staff, Mr John Amieyeofori, whose appointment was also wrongly terminated by the former management.
Similarly, the Secretary of NUJ, NAN Lagos Chapel, Mr Moses Omorogieva, appreciated Ponle for the reinstatement.
“Ikyado’s restatement is a show of love and mercy from human to human. It is a commendable gesture.
“Plagiarism is a crime in journalism, talk more of false story. However, no human is infallible.
“As NUJ leader in the Agency, I encourage Ikyado and others to be careful. When they are in doubt, they should leave out. It is better to be tongue lashed by your editor for missing a story than writing a false one.
“I appeal to the Managing Director to also extend this mercy to Kelvin Odion and others sacked for minor offences,” Omorogieva said.
He urged NAN staff members nationwide to work hard, encourage and pray for Ponle to take the Agency to a higher level.
Also, the immediate past president of Radio, Television, Thearter and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) in NAN, Mr Daniel Akaphiare, welcome the kind gesture by Ponle and the NAN management.
“Ponle is a good and God fearing man, he will perform better than his predecessors. He is a product of the system. The reinstatement of Ikyado is good news. May God bless Ponle and the managaement team”.
Meanwhile, Ikyado, who was sacked more than two years ago, said: “I am so thankful to God. I feel so happy and fulfilled because, justice prevailed at the end.
“I thank the NAN MD, Mr Buki Ponle who, in his kindness and fear of God, has made my reinstatement possible.
“I have since forgiven the former management for the wrongful termination of my appointment. However, I have learnt a lot of lessons and it has made me a better person to the glory of God,” Ikyado said.
NAN reports that Ikyado’s appointment was terminated in February 2019 for allegedly writing a false report. (NAN)
