The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

CONTENTS

1. PREAMBLE………………………………. 1
2. Articles 1: Name and Registered office… 1
3. Article 2: Objectives……………………. 2
4. Article 3: Membership………………….. 3
5. Article 4: Finance………………………. 5
6. Article 5: Organs of the union………… 8
7. ,, ,, ,, Delegates Conference……… 9
8. ,, ,, ,, National Executive Council.. 14
9. ,, ,, ,, Central Working Committee… 15
10. ,, ,, ,, National Secretariat….……… 18
11. ,, ,, ,, State Councils……………… 20
12. ,, ,, ,, Chapels……………………….. 22
13. Article 6 Election………………………. 24
14. Article 7 Code of professional and ethical
Conduct……………………… 27
15. Article 8 Discipline……………………. 27
16. ,, ,, ,, Procedure……………………. 29
17. ,, ,, ,, Penalty…………………….. 30
18. Article 9 Industrial Relations………… 32
19. Article 10 Affiliations…………………… 36
20. Article 11 Benefits…………….…………. 37
21. ,, ,, Allowances and Bonuses……. 37
22. Article 12 Condition of Service for paid staff..37
23. Article 13 Amendments to the constitution. …. 38
24. Article 14 Dissolution………………… 38
25. ,, ,, ,, Effective date of the constitution.. 39

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

PREAMBLE

We, Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, having firmly and

solemnly resolved:

 To practice in accordance with the highest professional

standards;

 To provide for ourselves a constitution for the purpose of

promoting good leadership and welfare of members on the
principles of freedom of expression, rule of law and social
justice;

Do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves this constitution which

shall be supreme and binding on all organs, officers and members of
the union.

This constitution takes effect from this 1st day of November 2005.

ARTICLE 1

Name and Registered Office:

i. The name of the organisation shall be Nigeria Union of

Journalists (NUJ) herein after referred to as “The Union”
which shall be the only registered body for all practicing
journalists in Nigeria.

ii. The registered office of the Union shall be situated at Area

11, Garki, Abuja, or such other place as may be decided by
the National Conference.

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ARTICLE 2

Objectives:
The objectives of the union shall be:

i. To safeguard the freedom of the press and the freedom of

Journalists to engage in legitimate professional activities;

ii. To collect, preserve and publish such statistical and other

information as may be useful for professional purposes;

iii. To encourage the participation of members in decision-

making processes in the Union and at their places of work in
particular and the society in general;

iv. To protect and advance the socio-economic interests of the

society and such other objectives as are lawful and are
consistent with the spirit and practice of journalism;

v. To ensure adequate training and education of members;

vi. To negotiate conditions of service and establish welfare

schemes for members

vii. To ensure strict adherence to the Union’s code of Ethics as

approved by the NEC or the National/Special National
Conference;

viii. To collaborate with organisations with similar objectives to

defend the rights of Nigerian citizens and society at large

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ARTICLE 3

Membership
1. A person shall not be a member of the Union, except if
registered by the Registration Council.

2. In addition to the provision in Article 3(i), a person shall

also possess either a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a
degree or its equivalent in Journalism or Mass
Communication obtained from recognized institutions, with
a working experience of not less than 12 months in a
recognized media establishment.

Provided that:

Persons with qualifications in other disciplines from

recognized institutions and who have obtained Postgraduate
Diploma (PGD) or Masters Degree in Journalism or Mass
Communication or any relevant Certificate in the
profession or have passed the prescribed professional
examination of the Union; and persons who have practiced
Journalism in recognized media establishments for not less
than five years as at 31st December, 1992, shall be qualified
to be registered as members.

3(a) For the purpose of this Article, the Union shall periodically
publish a list of recognized institutions offering training in
Mass Communication or Journalism

3(b) To qualify to practice Journalism, all persons shall be

registered by the Registration Council made up of
distinguished members to be set up by the NEC of the
Union.

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3(c) An Examination Council shall be established by the Union

to conduct prescribed professional examination. It shall
consist of 15 members.

4(i) Associate membership shall be accorded any registered

journalist who opts for another profession.

4(ii) Any journalist who moves out of the profession after seven
years of active practice shall be accorded his length of
service period in the profession, if such a person decides to
return to journalism practice.

4(iii) A non-Nigerian journalist practicing in the country shall be

accorded associate membership on production of an
accreditation card of membership of journalists’
organisation from his country of origin. Such an associate
member shall have right to attend and speak at meetings of
the union, but shall not vote or be voted for. The Union
shall however have the right to exclude such a person from
meetings where matters of National Security are to be
discussed.

4(iv) A Nigerian Journalist in the employment of foreign-based

media shall be entitled to full membership of the Union.

5. To be registered as a professional Journalist, a member

would have satisfied the provisions of Article 3(i), (2) and
(3) of this constitution. In addition, each applicant shall be
expected to complete an application form and swear to an
oath of allegiance to the Constitution and Code of
Professional and Ethical Conduct.

6. The Registration of any Journalist may be revoked at any

time by the Registration Council if it is found that the

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information provided in the application form is false, or if

such Journalist is found guilty of any professional
misconduct or if found to have been convicted of any
criminal offence. The Registration Council shall be funded
by NUJ and other stakeholders.

7. When a candidate’s application is rejected by the

Registration Council, there shall be a right of appeal to the
National Executive Council (NEC), which shall have the
final ruling.

8. The Registration Council shall certify all registered

Journalists.

9. No person shall be deprived of membership of the Union

on grounds of sex, religious persuasion, political beliefs or
ethnic origin.

ARTICLE 4

Finance:

1. (i) All registered members of the Union shall pay an annual

professional fee as follows:
1 – 10 years of practice: N5,000.00 in one installment
11 years and above: N10,000.00 in not more than two
installments

(ii) Professional Fees shall be remitted separately to the

National Secretariat, State Councils and Chapels of the
union respectively.

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(iii) A Nigerian Journalist working for a foreign-based media

establishment shall remit his professional fees to the
National Secretariat.

2 (i) Any member whose professional fee has not been fully
paid shall be disqualified from acting as a delegate or
representative of a Chapel at any meeting of the Union or
from benefiting from the Union in any manner and from
representing the Union in any other meeting.

(ii) Associate Members and Freelancers shall pay an annual

professional fee of N10,000.00 or as may be fixed by the
National Executive Council. This category of members
can vote but cannot be voted for.

3 (i) An unemployed member shall be exempted from

payment of fees/dues or levies for the duration of his/her
unemployment.

4 (i) The professional fees of the Union shall be allocated as

follows:
1. Chapel - 20%
2. State Council - 25%
3. Zonal Secretariat - 10%
4. National Secretariat - 35%
5. Nigeria Labour Congress - 10%

(ii) There shall be a yearly comprehensive Statement of

Account submitted by the National Treasurer through the
National Executive Council to the State Councils and
Chapels.

(iii) The funds and property of all units of the Union shall be
the property of the national Secretariat, and nothing in

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these articles shall prejudice the right of the NEC to

institute proceedings to recover any money due to or
other property of the union.

(iv) All property acquired for the Union in whatever custody

and of whatever nature shall belong to the Union, and the
National Secretariat shall have a final say on any Union
property or money in all Councils.

(v) The National Executive Council shall have powers to

employ the funds of the union in pursuit of the objectives
and programmes of the union.

(vi) The funds and property of the union shall be applied

towards attaining the objectives of the Union as defined
in Article 2 of this Constitution.

(vii) The main sources of funds for the Union shall be dues
paid through the professional fees system, subscription,
levies, donations, proceeds from economic and social
activities.

5. The National Executive Council shall have powers to

raise loans for funding activities of the Union after
approval by two third (2/3) votes

(i) The NEC shall approve State and Chapel projects when it
has to guarantee the loans raised for such projects.

6. The Bankers of the union shall be any registered financial

institution approved by the NEC. State Council and

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Chapel congresses shall have similar powers to appoint

their Bankers.

7. The CWC shall present to NEC for approval financial

guidelines, which shall provide for an annual budget,
levels of financial approval and regular auditing of
expenditure.

ARTICLES 5

ORGANS OF THE UNION

a. The Nigeria Union of Journalists shall be organized at the

National, Zonal, State and Chapel levels:
1. There shall be eight zones, namely: A, B, C, D, E, F,
G and H

2. Each Zone shall be made of the following States:

A. - Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa,

with headquarters at Kano.
B. - Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Osun,. Ondo and Ekiti with
headquarters at Ibadan
C. - Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, with
headquarters at Enugu
D - Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa with
headquarters at Jos

E. - Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and

Bauchi with headquarters at Gombe.

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F. - Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo,

Delta with headquarters at Port Harcourt

G. - Ogun and Lagos with headquarters at Abeokuta

H. - FCT and Niger with headquarters in Minna

B. NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1. The National Conference shall be the supreme

authority of the Union.

2. The Conference shall be composed of all registered

members who are in good financial standing.

3. The Conference shall be held every three (3)years at

venues to be decided by the NEC for the purpose of:

i. Receiving and reviewing reports and accounts

ii. Revising the Constitution if and when necessary

iii. Deciding questions of general policy raised upon

notice by any member, Chapel or Council to the
National Executive Council through the National
Secretary of the Union.

iv. To elect National Officers of the Union.

4. i. A special Conference may however be held at

such time and place as NEC may decide.

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ii. However, by a resolution of two-thirds (2/3) of

Councils submitted to the National Secretary three
(3) months in advance, a Special Conference shall
be convened.

iii. In determining two-thirds (2/3) of State Councils in

the case of a fraction, the next whole figure shall be
deemed to be the deciding number.

5. i. The Special Conference shall be composed

of CWC Members, Chairmen and Secretaries of
Councils and five delegates to be elected at State
Congress if there shall be no elections (as in Article
5 (16) (i).

ii. if there is going to be elections, the composition of

the normal National Conference shall apply.

6. Each Congress of the union shall constitute a constituency

for the purpose of registering delegates to the normal
conference of the union, but not applicable to 5(i) above.

7. To be eligible for registration as a delegate, a candidate

must be a member of the union who is in good financial
standing as in Article 4(2)(i) and must have been involved
in the affairs of Union at Chapel and State Council levels
for five consecutive years preceding his/her nomination.

8. Only members of the union in good financial standing

Article 4(2)(i) shall have the right to participate at the
National Conference.

9. The names of registered delegate(s) shall be forwarded to

the National Secretary of the Union by the State Secretaries

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who shall collect them from the Chapels. Each State

Council shall forward its list to reach the National
Secretariat not later than two months before the conference.

10. i. There shall be a Credentials Committee which shall

examine the good financial standing of each
registered delegate before the conference and the
name of any delegate not in good financial standing
shall be withdrawn from the list of delegates.

ii. The Credentials Committee, shall also have powers

to screen candidates for elections into national
offices of the Union.

iii. The Credentials Committee shall act independently

of the National President, National Secretary and
any other National or State officer of the Union.

iv. Membership of the Credentials Committee shall be

drawn from among members of the Union in good
financial standing who have no intention to vie for
offices in the said elections.

v. In the event of a member of the Committee

withdrawing after the Committee had been
inaugurated, his State Council shall find a
replacement.

vi. State Councils and Chapels shall adopt the relevant

provisions of this Article and apply them as they
affect State Council/Chapel delegates within 21
days.

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11. The Central Working Committee of the Union shall have the
power to deal summarily with any complaint arising from
elections of State/Chapel delegates within 21 days.

12. Motions of the National/Special Conference shall be final on

all issues.

13. i. Motions from State Councils/Chapels on matters

affecting the Union for discussion at the delegates’
conference must be in the hands of the National
Secretary not later than eight weeks before the date of
the conference.

ii. State Councils shall be provided with the agenda and

a complete list of such motions not later than two (2)
weeks before the National Conference.

14. The National Conference and the Council and Chapel

Congresses shall adopt rules and procedures to guide the
various conferences, as the first item after the formal opening
ceremony.

15. i. Chapels shall register members to represent the

state at the National Conference.

ii. Registered members and Chairmen and Secretaries of

the State Council shall form the delegation of a State
Council to the Conference.

iii. All members of the National Conference shall be

responsible for their transport, feeding and
accommodation.

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iv. In all cases, only complete payment of professional

fees form the basis of qualification for the
Conference.

16. a. The National President shall preside over the

Conference and shall have a casting vote in the event
of a tie on any question.

b. The elections of National Officers shall in the event

of a contest be by secret ballot.

c. The National Conference shall elect the following

National Officers:

i. National President
ii. Deputy National President
iii. 8 Zonal Vice Presidents (one from each zone)
iv. National Treasurer
v. National Financial Secretary
vi. National Internal Auditor
vii. Two National Trustees
viii. 8 Zonal Secretaries (one from each zone)

17. Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the Conference,

NEC, CWC, State Councils and Chapels shall have power to
make byelaws. Such laws shall be subject to normal approval
by necessary organs of the Union. In the case of Chapels, by
the State Councils which shall forward the same to the
National Secretariat, in the case of State Councils, by the
NEC and in the case of the NEC, it shall be the National
Conference.

C. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

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1. There shall be a National Executive Council (NEC) of the

Nigeria Union of Journalists which shall be charged with
the general control and superintendence over the policy and
property of the union.

2. The powers of the NEC shall without prejudice to the

existence of State Councils and Chapels be nationwide. It
shall be accountable to the National Conference.

3. The NEC shall be composed of all the members of the

CWC and Chairmen and Secretaries of State Councils.

4. The NEC shall meet at least three times in a year

5. The NEC shall have powers to invite /summon any person

or persons to attend its meetings for specific issues or
programmes undertaken by it. Such persons shall have no
voting rights.

6. The NEC shall meet at such time and place as may be

convenient and at each regular meeting, two third (2/3) of
its members shall form a quorum, while 3/5 shall be the
quorum at emergency NEC meetings.

7. The NEC shall have powers to engage such Secretarial

assistance as may be desirable

8. NEC shall have power to interpret the Constitution and to

determine any question where the constitution may be
silent.

9. Any NEC member may resign in writing, addressed to the

National President or the National Secretary.

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10. a. The NEC shall appoint a National Secretary for the

Union

b. No candidate shall be appointed to the substantive

post of National Secretary unless he possesses
demonstrated experience, knowledge and ability in Union
affairs and journalism and an appropriate level of education
shall apply to other appointed senior staff.

D. CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE

The Central Working Committee shall be composed of the

following officers who shall function as follows:

1. The National President: Shall be responsible for the

general supervision of the union. He shall preside at
meetings..

2. The Deputy National President: Shall in the absence

of the National President preside at meetings and
perform such other duties as may be alloted to him by
the National President. He shall at all times assist the
National President in discharge of his responsibilities
and perform such other duties as may be assigned to
him by the CWC.

3. The Zonal Vice Presidents: Shall assist the National

President in coordinating the activities of the union in
their respective zones and perform such duties as may
be assigned to them by the CWC.

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4. Zonal Secretaries: Attend to Zonal Secretariat duties

and ensure smooth operations of the Zonal
Secretariats.

5. The National Treasurer: Shall ensure that all Union

Funds are banked.

6. The National Financial Secretary: Shall ensure that

all financial transactions are properly documented and
kept in line with the financial guidelines that shall be
approved by NEC from time to time.

7. The National Internal Auditor: Shall be responsible

for the auditing of the accounts of the Union at least
twice a year. He shall ensure that all Union
expenditure conform with the financial guidelines and
the approved budget which shall be submitted to the
NEC for verification and adoption.

8. The National Trustees: The funds and property of

the union shall be held in trust by the National
Trustees.

9. Ex-Officio Members: The CWC shall appoint eight

(8) ex-officio members, one from each zone, from
past State and national officers. Similarly, the
National President shall appoint to (2) ex-officio
officers while the President of the Nigerian Guild of
Editors, National Chairman of NAWOJ and National
Chairman of SWAN are automatic members of the
CWC as ex-officio members.

10. Where vacancy exists in the CWC in respect of

national officers who have no elected assistants, NEC

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shall fill the vacancy in acting capacity for a period of

not more than six (6) months which is renewable.

11. A member of the CWC shall be removed from office

upon a 2/3 majority vote of the NEC while the CWC
shall be removed from office on 2/3 majority vote of
Special/National Conference. Where the CWC is
removed, a caretaker committee shall be elected to
run the union for not more than six months.

12. The CWC shall meet monthly.

13. There shall be an NUJ Advisory Council. This will

comprise of all past National Presidents and National
Secretaries of the Union. The Council will meet at the
discretion of the sitting President who will chair the
meeting. The council will advise the Union on
important national issues.

14. Any NUJ award by any Chapel or Council must be

strictly cleared by the National Secretariat. Any
default would attract appropriate sanction.

15 i. There shall be an award committee made up

of senior members of the union.

ii. A maximum of three awards for Chapels, five

for State and six for zones.

E. NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

1. The National Secretariat shall be composed of the following:

i. National President

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ii. Deputy National President

iii. National Secretary
iv. Deputy National Secretary
v. Assistant National Secretaries and Heads of
Departments

2. i. The National Secretary shall be full time employee

of the Union.

ii. He shall be responsible to the National President and

NEC

iii. He shall attend all meetings of the CWC, NEC and

National Conference and shall keep accurate records.

iv. He shall be in charge of all paid staff of the Union,

attend to other Secretariat duties and ensure smooth
operations at the National Secretariat.

v. He shall report to the National President, CWC, NEC

and the National Conference on the affairs and
developments within the Union and organisations
which are of interest to the Union.

vi. He shall together with the other national officers

ensure that the affairs of the Union are carried out in
accordance with the provisions of this constitution
and the laws of the land.

vii. He shall with theTreasurer, Financial Secretary and

Internal Auditor, prepare and file the annual returns of
the union to the appropriate authorities at the
appropriate time.

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viii. He shall ensure that the books and records of the

union are available for inspection by any appropriate
authority.

3. In the absence of the National Secretary, the Deputy National

Secretary shall perform his duties.

4. The post of National Secretary on becoming vacant shall be

advertised and filled after necessary interview.

5. The National Secretary, Deputy National Secretary, Assistant

National Secretaries and other department heads, subject to
good behaviour shall hold office until the normal age or
voluntary retirement and shall be pensionable.
6. Assistant National Secretaries shall head various sections of
the National Secretariat and perform other duties as may be
assigned to them by the Union.

7. The National Secretary of the Union shall be required to give

at least three (3) months resignation notice to the NEC after
which such resignation shall become effective. The same
shall apply to other senior employees of the union. The
National Secretary’s appointment can be dismissed,
terminated or retired from office by 2/3 votes if found
wanting.

F. STATE COUNCILS

1. a. There shall be State Conferences every three (3)

years;

b. Members to the State Conference shall be drawn from

Chapels within the particular state and such members

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must be in good financial standing as in Article

4(2)(i).

c. The Conference shall elect officers of the Council

who shall constitute the State Working Committee
(SWC)

d. Officers of the state Council shall be:

i. Chairman
ii. Vice Chairman
iii. State Secretary
iv. Assistant State Secretary
v. Treasurer
vi. Financial Secretary
vii. Internal Auditor

e. The SWC shall appoint two ex-officio members who

must have been past chapel/state officers. Similarly,
the state Chairmen of NAWOJ and SWAN shall be
automatic members of SWC as ex-officio members.

f. Election of officers at a state conference shall be by

secret ballot on one man vote basis.

2 a. The State Executive Council shall be comprised of

members of the SEC and Chairmen and Secretaries of
all Chapels in the State.

b. The SEC shall perform similar functions as NEC at

the State Council level. SWC shall perform similar
functions as the CWC at the State Council level.

3. (i) The State Secretary in consultation with the

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Chairman shall report to the National Secretary on the

administration of the union in the state and shall file
regularly at the end of every quarter the report of
activities in the council. He shall supervise staff of the
secretariat and report on them to he National
Secretariat.

(ii) He, with other officers shall ensure effective Union

organization in the state. In performing such duties,
he shall consult the SWC.

(iii) In the absence of the state secretary, the Assistant

Secretary shall perform his duties.

(iv) The state secretary shall file within 24 hours with the
national secretariat notice of any dispute in the state
and advise on what action shall be taken.

4 (i) The State Councils shall base their rules and

regulations on those of NEC, but where such rules
and regulations conflict, NEC rules shall supercede.

(ii) All State Officers shall perform such duties assigned

to their counterparts at the national level.

5. All State Officers other than NEC members may resign in

writing to their respective State Council Chairmen or
Secretaries.

6. Where a vacancy exists in the SWC either by resignation,

death or otherwise before the State Conference, the vacancy
shall be filled through bye-election within a period of three
(3) months.

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7. The State Congress shall meet monthly. The SWC shall have
powers to call emergency congress meetings.

8. Where the SWC fails to summon the monthly congress, a

special congress may be summoned by a resolution supported
by two-thirds (2/3) of member chapels.

G. CHAPELS

1. A Chapel of the Union shall be formed in an establishment

where there are ten (10) or more members. However, where
there are less than ten (10) in an establishment, such
members shall be free to form a joint Chapel and where there
is only one such establishment, members shall be free to join
the Correspondents Chapel.

2. Members working outside the location of their establishments

shall form a Correspondents Chapel in accordance with
Article 5(G)(1) above.

3. The Chapel shall be responsible for maintaining and

extending Union organisation in the work place to ensure that
union agreements are observed and for safeguarding
members’ interest generally.

4. The Chapel shall report regularly to the State Council and

shall immediately inform the Council and the National
Secretariat about any dispute with its employer.

5. State Working Committee members shall have the right to

attend and speak at all meetings of all Chapels.

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7. Two or more Chapels with identical interests may federate as

in Article 5(G)(i)

8. A Chapel shall have the following officers:

i. Chairman
ii. Vice Chairman
iii. Secretary
iv. Treasurer
v. Financial Secretary
vi. Auditor

They shall perform duties as their counterparts at the State

level.

Any vacancy in the Chapel executive shall be filled through a

bye-election within a period of 30 days.

ARTICLE 6:

Elections:

1. (i) A Candidate for election into any of the National

and State offices shall be nominated and sponsored by
two financial members of his Council or Chapel
filling a prescribed form. This form with two passport
photographs of the candidate and his curriculum
vitae with photocopies of credentials shall be
forwarded to the National Secretary to reach him not
later than three (3) months in the case of national
offices and 6 weeks for state council offices before
the date of the elections.

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(ii) Election into Chapel offices shall be conducted within

a period of 30 days after the tenure of the last
executive in accordance with Article 6(1)(i) above.

2. In the case of national elections, the National Secretary shall

publish and circulate the list of all contesting candidates and
their curriculum vitae to all State Councils, six weeks before
the date of the elections.

3. If a nominated candidate dies, becomes bankrupt or

convicted of a criminal case before the date of elections, the
nominators shall still have the right to nominate a new
candidate or in the case of a candidate withdrawing and
leaving a seat uncontested, fresh nominations shall be
accepted.

4. Nominations received after the published closing date, but

not as a result of a situation under rule (three) of Article 6
shall not be accepted.

5. Elections shall be held during a session of the National

Conference in case of National Offices and at State
Conferences in the case of State Offices and elections results
announced immediately. This rule shall apply to Chapels.

6 In all cases, elections shall be by secret ballot and shall be

supervised by officials from the National Secretariat assisted
by a team selected by the National Secretary who shall be
from outside the union in the case of National Officers and
shall be officials of the National Secretariat or person(s)
nominated or appointed by the National Secretariat in case of
elections to the offices of states. While the SWC shall
supervise Chapel elections.

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7. (i) Only those who have been actively involved in the

practice of Journalism for a period of five years and are
in good financial standing in the Union shall be eligible
to contest for offices in the Chapel. For the State Council
offices, such candidates must have been in active service
for seven years, in good financial standing and must
have been an officer in a Chapel. To be elected National
Officer, a candidate shall have practiced for not less than
ten (10) years, and has been involved as an officer of the
Union by attendance of meetings shall be elected to an
Office of the union. Similarly, members holding elective
offices in any other Professional Association shall not be
eligible to contest elections in Union offices. Only
members who have paid fully their professional fees will
be considered to be in good financial standing.

(ii) For this purpose, to qualify, a person must have

attended at least 50% of meetings of the state Council
and Chapel within the period between Conferences
backed up with records of previous Union Activities in
the case of transfer. Immediately the names of the
contestants are published, members shall have right to
raise objections before the National Secretariat
publishes the final list of contestants.

8. If any officer retires or becomes unemployed, he shall be

allowed to continue in office for six months after which if
he is still unemployed and his case is not of such that the
Union is fighting for his re-instatement, he shall cease to
hold office and the post shall be filled through a bye-
election. However, this rule shall not apply in cases of
acts of misconduct and criminal offences.

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9. An elected officer of the union who may have to be away

for a period of two years, shall resign his office. The
vacant office shall be filled in accordance with Article
6(8) of this Constitution.

10. No member of the union shall hold any particular office

for more than two terms of three years each.

11. Every journalist from Reporter to Editor in the print

Media or Manager, Director or Controller of News in an
Electronic Media, Director of Information in the State
and Federal Ministries of Information are eligible to
contest for any office in the Union.

ARTICLE 7

Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct

1. There shall be a code of professional and ethical conduct to

be approved by the National Conference. The code shall set
internationally acceptable standards of professional practice,
ethical and good behaviour.

ARTICLE 8

Discipline:

1. a. There shall be an established Ethics and

Disciplinary Committee in each State Council to
handle complaints of professional and or ethical
misconduct of journalists in the respective State
Councils.

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b. There shall be an established Appellate Committee on

Ethics and Discipline set up by NEC of the union to
handle appeals emanating from findings of the State
Council Ethics Committees.

c. The Ethics and Disciplinary Committee which shall

be a five-man Standing committee shall be appointed
for a period equal to the tenure of the Executive that
appointed them except otherwise directed by NEC.
However, members of the committee may be
removed by NEC if found wanting. The committee
shall ensure total adherence.

d. For the purpose of this Article, the Ethics Committee

shall enforce the Code of Conduct of the union.

e. Subject to the provisions of this article, the committee

shall, following a complaint notice by any person,
have the power to:

(i) Inquire and procure all such evidence (written

or oral) and examine all such persons and
witnesses as the committee may deem fit;

(ii) Summon any such person(s) for the hearing of

the complaint or produce any document or
other things in relating to the complaint;

(iii) Consider and deal with any matter referred to

it in the absence of any party who has been
duly summoned before it;

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(iv) In respect of section (e)(ii) above, the phrase

“summoned” shall mean when a summons is
dispatched to the alleged erring member and it
is signed for in the absence of the alleged
erring member by his servant, agent or privy
or dispatched by courier or registered post to
his known address.

2. Procedure

i. Where a complaint has been made against a particular

Journalist, the journalist shall be notified of such a
complaint in writing and given at least 21 (twenty-
one) days notice within which he shall prepare his
defence and appear before the committee.

ii. Where the complaint is on a member of the

committee, he shall not sit in the hearing of the
complaint by the committee.

iii. The NEC may institute legal proceedings in the name

of the Union against any member or officer who is
suspected to have embezzled the funds or of
falsifying the books or accounts of the union and may
appoint special auditors to examine the books of any
chapel or state council to investigate its working.

iv. The NEC shall have power to call for the minutes and
account books of a State Council at any time for the
purpose of the inspection or investigation, when the
NEC strongly suspects the Council based on concrete
information or data.

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v. The NEC shall have powers to summon any member

before any committee appointed by the Council or by
the union. A member who fails to do so after
receiving notice in writing from the National
Secretary, may, unless he shows proper excuse, be
guilty of conduct detrimental to the interest of the
union. A member summoned to appear under this rule
shall be entitle to reasonable refund of the expenses
incurred by him in attending and or any loss of
income he/she may have sustained except where the
member is an appellant or his appeal is dismissed as
frivolous in which case it may decide that his claim
for expenses or loss of income is not allowed.

vi. No member or Chapel in a complaint under this rule

shall complain to the management of a newspaper or
other publication, radio, television, News Agency,
ministry of information or any establishment where a
member is employed or take such matter to court or
tribunal.

3. Penalty:

a. Where a Journalist is found liable by the Committee

for professional and or ethical misconduct, it shall
have powers to reprimand, suspend as a member of
the union for a period not exceeding twelve (12)
months or recommend him to NEC for expulsion.

b. The guilty Journalist shall however, have the right to

appeal to the Apellate Ethics and Disciplinary
Committee within fourteen (14) days of the findings
of the State Ethics Committee.

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c. i. The NEC shall have powers to suspend from

office or from suspend from the performance of
duties any officer or committee member of the CWC,
State Council or Chapel for any dereliction of duty
proved to the satisfaction of duties may be held
before the NEC by any member, Chapel or State
Council to which the officer or committee member
belongs which shall investigate the case and collect
all the facts for the information of the NEC

ii. Each State Executive Council shall have

similar powers as (a) above provided the decision to
suspend or dismiss any State Officer from Office is
ratified by general meeting and such action shall
immediately be communicated o the National
Secretary.

iii. The Officer/Committee member against

whom a complaint is made shall be given fourteen
(14) days notice in writing by the National Secretary
(as the Case may be) of the hearing of the complaint
by the NEC. He shall be entitled to be present at such
hearing.

d. A National Officer shall be suspended upon a

recorded vote of no confidence of two-thirds (2/3) of
all councils. A National Officer shall be suspended by
two-thirds (2./3) votes of members of the NEC but in
all cases, an officer shall be given sufficient chance to
defend any allegation made against him before the
vote of no confidence shall be recorded. The same
system shall apply to State and Chapel officers in
accordance with rules in this Article

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e. A black book shall be kept by the Union for periodic

publication of names of members found guilty of
professional misconduct.

ARTICLE 9

Industrial Relations:

1 The National President and the National Secretary, acting on

behalf of the NEC and CWC and in consultation with
Chapels and State Councils shall exclusively have powers to
order the withdrawal of any member or members from work,
in compliance with provisions of the law, and to take such
steps or conduct such negotiations or accept such altered
conditions of employment as may be necessitated thereby.

2 The NEC shall by a 2/3 majority of the votes, authorize or

order a strike by the entire membership of the union in
pursuit of a matter that affects the welfare of its members at
the National level while SEC shall assume the powers of
NEC at the State and Chapel levels under similar
circumstances in the case of a state or establishment.

3 In the event of the withdrawal of any member from work in

accordance with these rules, a special monthly payment
which shall in no case exceed the member’s previous
monthly salary, shall be made to the member for a period not
exceeding six (6) months after the date of such withdrawal at
the discretion of the NEC.

4 The conditions for withdrawal may apply to members whose

employment is affected by any dispute.

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5 Should a member be victimized for being an officer or a

member of the union, or for defending a professional or
Union interest or resisting the imposition of unjust
conditions, or for refusing to perform work, which in the
opinion of the NEC, is incompatible with the honour and the
interest of the profession, the NEC shall authorize such
payment to him/her as it deems necessary. Application for
such grants shall be made by the member to his chapel which
shall thoroughly investigate each case, make such
recommendation to the state and to the NEC as the
circumstances require.

6 A member who is instructed to perform duties which are

incompatible with professional ethics and interest shall if
possible consult the Chapel Chairman or Secretary. If the
situation is that the instruction is general they shall report to
the SEC for necessary action. In the event of a member
refusing to carry out such instructions, no other member shall
undertake to do the work. Any member who acts contrary to
this provision shall be dealt with in accordance with Article
8(3)(a).

7 However, in the event of the union winning a case for which

a member has withdrawn his service and has full wages for
the period paid by his employer, he/she shall refund to the
Union one-third (1/3) of what the Union paid him/her during
the withdrawal and where the Union has to engage the
services of a lawyer to pursue his/her case, he/she shall pay
back the full wages paid.

8 A member wishing to change his/her place of work shall

before accepting an appointment, ascertain from his/her
Chapel Secretary, the State Secretary or the National
Secretary, the schedule of wages paid in the area and whether

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there is any objection to the office in question. He shall not

accept, or offer to accept, any remuneration lower than rates
provided. A member who contravenes this clause shall be
liable to be dealt with for anti-Union activities as in Article
8(3).

9 In the case where a member accepts, or is believed to have

accepted, a post at a wage less than that provided in the
schedule for the area it shall be the duty of any member to
report that fact to the chapel secretary who in return shall
immediately inform the state secretary and then the National
Secretary. In such cases, the National Secretariat or NEC
may take such action as it may deem proper to secure
compliance with the schedule or the withdrawal of the
offender.

10 No Chapel or State Council shall initiate or conduct with any

employer any negotiation affecting wages without having
consulted and received the approval of the National
Secretariat. This clause shall not be held to limit the rights of
the Chapel to secure the observance of Union agreements in
the establishment.

11 Agreement governing service conditions shall not be signed

by a member until they have been approved by the National
Secretariat.

12 It shall be the duty of any member to inform the State

Secretary of the amount of his salary if requested at any time
and such information shall be regarded as confidential.

13 The Union shall declare vacant, a post in which a member’s

appointment has been terminated without information to it on
why such action has been taken against the member. The post

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shall remain vacant until investigation about the rationale of

the employer’s action has been carried out. If the employers
action is just, it shall allow the post to be filled and any
member so interested shall be able to take appointment. But
where the Union feels that its member has been wrongly
dismissed or removed from a post, it shall take necessary
steps to ensure re-instatement of the officer.

14 i. Subject to the provisions of the law of the land, members

of the Union shall not take part in a strike or interfere
with the flow of goods and services in their undertaking
without the express approval of the NEC. In addition, no
strike shall be allowed except the majority of the
members have in a secret ballot voted in favour of the
strike.

ii. In deciding whether to authorize or not to authorize any

form of industrial action, the NEC shall be guided by the
advice of the Chapels and the State Councils and the
provision of the law. However, nothing in this
Constitution shall prevent officers of the National
Secretariat full time or elected officers from immediate
intervention in any professional matter affecting an
individual group of members or a whole chapel directly
under the law with reference to Chapels or State
Councils. This shall be to apprehend professional crisis.

ARTICLE 10

Affiliations:

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

1. a. The Union shall not affiliate to or withdraw its

affiliation to anybody until the proposal to do so has
been submitted to NEC, which shall take a final
decision on it. But its affiliation to the Central Labour
Organisation of the country shall be automatic and
without restraint.

b. The Union shall take notice and deem Nigeria

Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and
the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), etc as its
affiliates.

c. It shall affiliate to West African Journalists

Association (WAJA), Union of African Journalists
(UAJ), International Organisation of Journalists (IOJ),
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other
relevant professional organisations.

d. It shall be free to collaborate with relevant human

rights organisations for the purpose of holding
democracy, freedom of the press and human rights.

e. No one shall represent the Union on any organisation

unless he is a member or an official nominated by the
NEC.

ARTICLE 11

Benefits:

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

1. The Union may honour members who have made

outstanding contribution to the upliftment of the Union and
Journalism profession. The criteria for each award shall be
decided by NEC.

2. a. The personal representative or rightful relation of a

deceased member shall be entitled to a death benefit
to be fixed by his chapel. Additional benefit shall be
paid by the SWC, CWC, NEC.

b. In any case, no payment shall be made in the absence

of convincing proof of death.

3. Allowances and Bonuses:

All national Officers shall be paid monthly allowances as
may be determined by NEC while State Council Chairmen
and Secretaries shall be paid monthly allowances as may be
determined by the State Executive Council (SEC).

ARTICLE 12

Conditions of Service for paid staff:

The Union shall draw up for its paid staff, conditions of service
which are no less favourable than those obtainable in the profession
in the public sector and such that will enhance the integrity and the
prestige of the staff. This shall include retirement benefits to be paid
to the officials which shall not be less favourable than those payable
in the public service of the federation.

ARTICLE 13

Amendments o the Constitution:

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The Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

1. Resolution for constitutional amendments shall be adopted by

two-thirds 2/3) majority votes of the delegates attending the
National Conference, provided they form a quorum.
Proposals for amendments to the constitution may be made
by State Councils and the NEC only at intervals of five years
except where:

i. such amendments are consequential upon a decision

at a National Conference.

ii. Such amendments are made on any matter or policy

which are declared by any National Conference to be
a matter of urgency, provided that due notice is given
as required. Proposals to amend the Constitution shall
be regarded as notices of motions to the National
Conference.

ARTICLE 14

Dissolution:

1. The Union shall not be dissolved except by a resolution of

the National Conference supported by at least 80 percent of
the delegates present and voting.

2. In the event of dissolution as provided for in the constitution

and the law of the land, the assets and liabilities of the Union
shall be divided among the members in equal shares or
according to their rates of contributions to the Union or the
assets may be donated to charity.

This Constitution takes effect from 1st Day of November 2005

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