The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abdulwaheed Odusile, yesterday revealed that plans to establisb an NUJ fully-owned radio station have reached an advanced stage.

Odusile announced the cheering news during the opening ceremony of the maiden National Executive Council (NEC) under his watch as the Number One Journalust in the country.

The NEC is holding at Katsina, capital of Katsina State.

Addressing the gathering, he recalled that during his campaigns, he promised to set up a radio station for the union and said: “We are almost there.”

He equally informed the audience of his efforts in fighting for the welfare of journalists in the country, stating his determination to end the practice of owing journalists arrears of salaries as well as irregular payment of salaries.

He warned media owners to desist from the habit of not paying salaries as at and when due, saying: “Wur leadership is determined to stop it.”

He remarked that media owners who were owing journalists in their employ were exposing them as willing tools in the hands of unscrupulous elements who may exploit them. “This is dangerous,” he said.

The NUJ National President said serious steps were being taken to realise a special “media salary,” promising to rout quackery in the journalism profession. “We are committed to professionalism. We will fight journalism of blackmail,” he assured and directed State Councils to set up Ethics and Disciplinary Committees in their Councils to handle complaints of professional misconduct against members.”