How embattled Osadebamwen exposed ex-council chair Ogbeche over NUJ-FCT dues collected: A case of convenient forgetfulness

By Terngu Terwase

In the grand arena of union affairs, where credibility should be the watchword and integrity the guiding principle , one might expect a semblance of sincerity in dealing with accusations. Yet, we find ourselves peering into a troubling instance of selective amnesia, directed against Mrs. Sarah Odugbo, a dedicated member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCTA Chapel.

The embattled Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, had petitioned Mrs. Odugbo, alleging that she falls short of the requirements as outlined in Articles 3(1, 2a-d) and 4 of the NUJ constitution.

The situation grows more intricate as we explore the core details of this matter, where empirical evidence, as opposed to mere speculation, delineates a reality that challenges preconceived notions.
It is said, “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.”
Ironically, the embattled Chairman’s attempt to question Mrs. Odugbo’s standing appears riddled with inconsistencies, not unlike a sieve struggling to hold water.

There is substantial evidence to confirm that Mrs. Odugbo is a registered and active member of the FCTA Chapel, with her dues properly collected and receipted during the tenure of Emmanuel Ogbeche.

All relevant payment records have been submitted to the National Secretariat, thereby exposing the dishonorable actions of those who have failed to demonstrate transparency in their conduct.

Based on available documentation, the standard procedure under previous leadership involved the FCTA Chapel collecting and remitting statutory dues in bulk to streamline processes. Nevertheless, the former chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche who signed and received these dues, is alleged to have failed in remitting the funds to the Council.

It is conceivable that the failure to document such actions stems from the expectation that accountability would never be demanded, as the individual involved may have assumed that consequences would never catch up with them. Nonetheless, the responsibility to account for the collection of the Union’s statutory dues rests squarely with the individual entrusted with this task, and the NUJ FCT Chapter is committed to ensuring this accountability is upheld for future reference.

The events described above were triggered by the petition submitted by the beleaguered FCT Chairman, who was removed from office by a unanimous vote of the members two weeks ago. In this context, one cannot help but observe how seemingly trivial events have been used by God to expose and counteract the strategies of anti-progressive members of the FCT Council.

From the above information , it is evident that there is a significant issue of mismanagement or misappropriation at the upper levels of the council. Any deficiencies in the remittance process to the national body should, therefore, be attributed not to the members who faithfully fulfilled their duties, but to the financial improprieties of the council’s leadership.

In this rather absurd scenario, the embattled Chairman appears to be suffering from an unusual form of amnesia, one that conveniently neglects the council’s own failures while inflating the perceived errors of others.

Mrs. Odugbo , a seasoned Journalist and former Treasurer of NAWOJ FCT, has maintained an unblemished record of service.
To accuse her otherwise is to engage in a campaign bereft of fairness, to borrow the words of Shakespeare, “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
The argument becomes even more threadbare when one considers the history of financial mismanagement allegations that have trailed the Council Executive.

At this juncture, it is imperative to ask for forensic audit of both Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen’s tenures as chairmen of the NUJ-FCT council without further delay. If funds intended for the national body were mismanaged, then the focus should shift to accountability at the top echelons of NUJ- FCT council in the last six (6) years.

The petition, rather than raising legitimate concerns, only underscores the need to probe deeper into financial transparency in the NUJ- FCT council.

Let us remember that justice is not served by hasty indictments or misdirected petitions but by a steadfast commitment to truth. Mrs. Sarah Ufuoma Odugbo deserves more than to be the scapegoat of administrative lapses.
As we dissect these claims, let us be guided by the wisdom of the ages: “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

Failure to remit same to the coffers of the Union has resulted to Mr Patrick petitioning and asking the whereabouts of the monies collected by his Boss.

In the petition signed by Mr. Patrick, his deliberate failure to acknowledge his position as the beleaguered Council Chairman raises questions about his impartiality. This deliberate omission points to the fact that he is already predisposed and performing according to a prearranged agenda.

The Saturday congress, which ended in a stalemate, clearly demonstrated Mr. Patrick’s failure to act transparently, as he seemed to have a vested interest in supporting a preferred candidate, one who could more accurately be characterized as a ‘stooge,’ and whom he, together with his associates, appeared determined to install by any means necessary.

In conclusion, driven by a commitment to fairness, justice, and the defense of professionalism, the legitimacy of his petition collapses under thorough scrutiny. If accountability is indeed the objective, it must be prioritized at the highest levels of the NUJ FCT Council’s financial administration over the past six (6)years.

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Terngu Terwase
Public Affairs Analyst