NUJ Advocates for Permanent Employment of Casual Staff in Media Organizations
During a recent courtesy visit to Hajiya Talatu Adamu Lawan, the new General Manager of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Minna, Comrade Abu Nmodu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger State Council, emphasized the importance of permanently employing casual staff in media organizations.
He argued that such a move would acknowledge and reward the hard work and dedication of these individuals.
Comrade Nmodu expressed his concern that while individuals outside the ranks of casual workers have been granted permanent and pensionable positions, those who have served for over a decade with the necessary qualifications remain in unstable employment.
He called for prioritizing the transition of these long-serving casual staff to permanent roles.
In her response, Hajiya Talatu Lawan highlighted the critical role of partnerships among stakeholders to achieve meaningful outcomes.
She shared that NTA Minna is transitioning from the national grid to a solar energy source, which will enhance the station’s capacity to provide a superior viewing experience in terms of education, information, and entertainment.
Lawan noted that preparations for new facilities are underway, including the delivery of solar panels aimed at ensuring uninterrupted transmission.
Furthermore, she revealed that a significant portion of the newly employed staff had previously been casual workers and affirmed her commitment to advocating for permanent positions for these individuals.
Hajiya Talatu Lawan, who assumed her role on March 17, 2025, welcomed the NUJ delegation’s visit, marking it as the first engagement of her tenure.