L-R: The FRCN Enugu Zonal Director, Dr Ikechukwu Eze (8), and Enugu NUJ Chairman, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka (9), with others in a group photograph during the courtesy visit
By Tony Adibe
The Zonal Director Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu Zonal Station, Dr Ikechukwu Eze, has advised the people in the zone to “take ownership” of Radio Nigeria stations in their zone.
Dr Eze referenced governors and traditional rulers, as well as religious and community leaders in other regions who have taken steps to actively support their local stations, which is Radio Nigeria stations.
The Zonal Director spoke when he received the Comrade Obinna Ogbuka-led leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, who paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Radio Station.
NewsBits reports that the courtesy visit was regarded as a significant move to promoting collaboration and excellence in journalism, particularly within the southeast zone and Nigeria generally.
He said that the FRCN Enugu Zonal Station, which supervises other FM stations in the South East, plays a vital role in the broadcasting landscape in the region, hence the people ought to support the Radio station as their own.
According to him, the NUJ’s courtesy call “is a significant step towards” strengthening the partnership between the union and the station, adding that the visit would go a long way in “promoting excellence in journalism and broadcasting in the region.”
Earlier during the visit, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, lauded the Zonal Director for his leadership and expressed his excitement about the potential for collaboration between the union and FRCN.
Comrade Ogbuka stressed that “FRCN needs our collaboration, and we are committed to working together to promote excellence in broadcasting.”
The Union leader assured the FRCN management of the union’s support in addressing challenges facing the station, which include obsolete equipment and poor working conditions.
Ogbuka also highlighted the union’s commitment to tackling fake news and unprofessionalism in the media, stating that “the issue of fake news and unprofessionalism in this profession is now a thing of the past.”
According to him, the union “is working to promote professionalism and welfare of its members, including the implementation of a health insurance scheme.” He appealed to the management of Radio Nigeria to continue supporting the union, adding that “Radio Nigeria has supported us, but I appeal that the support you have given us should remain.”
Ogbuka further said: “I did not go into the union to fight management; rather, I want to use opportunities to liaise with the management on how best to improve the welfare of journalists, especially in Enugu and the nation at last.”
NewsBits reports that the Management staff of Radio Nigeria and other members of the NUJ Enugu state Executive in the company of other officials, attended the courtesy. The visit, however, featured the presentation of an invitation to the Zonal Director to attend the official inauguration ceremony of the new NUJ Executive scheduled for September 13, 2025.
