The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, has on Tuesday commenced an enforcement exercise targeting individuals allegedly posing as journalists and using counterfeit NUJ identity cards and press stickers.
The exercise, according to the council, is aimed at curbing quackery in the journalism profession and protecting members of the public from risks associated with individuals offering services under false identities.
In a statement jointly signed by the NUJ Chairman, Kayode Babatuyi, and Secretary, O’Seun Ogunsakin, the union said its Anti-quackery Committee, led by Abiodun Olofe, would carry out the enforcement patrol across the state.
Police personnel, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will support the committee during the exercise, the union said.
As part of the operation, the anti-quackery team will stop and verify the identity cards and press stickers displayed on vehicles belonging to individuals who claim to be media practitioners.
The NUJ said the exercise was necessary to ensure public safety and protect citizens from the potential hazards of counterfeit professional services.
The union also urged genuine journalists practising in Ekiti State to carry their valid NUJ identity cards throughout the enforcement exercise to facilitate identification and avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
According to the council, the crackdown forms part of its broader effort to maintain professional standards and preserve the credibility of journalism in the state.
It reiterated that it would not tolerate activities capable of bringing the journalism profession into disrepute, stressing its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional practice.
The enforcement exercise is expected to focus particularly on individuals using NUJ-branded materials without proper accreditation or membership, as the union intensifies efforts to distinguish legitimate journalists from impostors.
