Scandal Rocks Lagos NUJ

. Over N100m Misappopriated

. EFCC Wades In

.Akinreti, Elumoye Spit Fire

The fourth estate of the realm, the media in Lagos is in the eyes of the storm. when the incumbent executive of Nigerian Union of Journalists (UNJ), Lagos Chapter led by Mr. Qasim Akinreti came into office and there was the urgent need to look into the book of account of the immediate past executive, lot of revealing scandals were uncovered.

The Auditors were called in. When the reports came in, members of the union and the general public were suprised to hear how various sums of money exchange hands and ended up in individual accounts and most important, the shoddy handling of Abaren village Mowe land / NUJ/NAWOJ Pen Jewel Estate Project . The misappropriation of the proceeds from the NUJ Light House, uncompleted Shomolu Guest House which he was reported to have gulped  a huge sum of money with little or nothing to show for it.

All these have put the union of journalists in Lagos State at public glare that those who report ills and vices in the society are now being

reported.

While the former riegime of Deji Elumoye is being fingered to lack financial discipline, sources close to the present regime of Qasim Akinreti have told INTEGRITY REPORTERS that the incumbent government in Lagos NUJ is not better than the

previous one.

“Though Mr. Akinreti makes accountability his watchword and hallmark of his administration, many of his actions so far are being faulted. For instance, he was alleged to have increased the costs of the meal for his executives from N120 to N600 per sitting and per person, while equally increased the monthly stipends  of executives from N10,000  to N35,000. Can’t you see that Elumoye led executives were even prudent in their spending. And don’t know how Akinreti can reconcile these with what he preaches about accountability,” this newspaper was told recently during the monthly meeting of the union at its Alausa, Ikeja state secretariat.

It was gathered that the stakeholders are not all happy with Akinreti. He is being considered as somebody who does not march his word with action especially when he unilaterally honoured  Funke Moore with an award barely few weeks  after she was relived of her post as General Manager LTV 8.

Many people were suspicious of his action even Integrity Reporters learnt that power that be at the seat of power at Lagos State Government secretariat, Alausa were not comfortable and glad with the  action of Lagos NUJ chairman’s action.