ABS Acting MD Urges Fairness, Due Process in Leadership, Says Queries Are Not Punishment

­By Blessing Dennis

The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Barrister Juliet Mbonu Ike, has called for fairness, patience and due process in workplace leadership, stressing that an official query should not be viewed as a punishment but as an opportunity for an employee to explain his or her side of an issue.

Barrister Mbonu Ike made the clarification while addressing newly elected executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, ABS Awka and Onitsha Chapels, during a leadership training held at the Film Academy Hall, ABS Headquarters, Awka.

Her explanation comes against the backdrop of the fear often associated with official queries and disciplinary procedures in workplaces, where some employees may see a query as an indication that punishment has already been decided. The Acting MD, however, explained that the purpose of a query is to ensure that an employee is given the opportunity to respond to an allegation or issue before any further administrative action is taken.

She stressed that effective leadership must be guided by fairness, patience and adherence to due process, adding that every worker deserves to be heard before disciplinary decisions are made. According to her, leaders must remain objective, accountable and committed to justice when handling issues affecting members of their organisations.

The Acting MD’s position also underscored the important role of the union in promoting fairness, protecting the interests of workers and ensuring that members are not denied the opportunity to be heard in matters affecting their welfare and professional standing.

Also speaking, Comrade Henry Nwasike and David Okpokwasili urged the newly elected NUJ executives to maintain cordial relationships with management through constructive engagement, while strengthening communication with members and building partnerships capable of advancing the welfare of journalists and the growth of the union.

They stressed that open dialogue, teamwork and respect for collective decisions were essential to sustaining unity and strengthening members’ confidence in the union. They also urged the executives to maintain regular communication with members, respect decisions reached during executive meetings and congresses, and always place the collective interests of the union above personal considerations.

The Head of Reportorial, News and Current Affairs Department of ABS, Mr Paul Ezeoke, urged the new executives to remain humble, transparent and accessible in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He reminded them that leadership was a call to service and sacrifice, urging them to earn the confidence of members through fairness, accountability and commitment to the ideals of the union.

Among those who sought clarification during the training were the Financial Secretary of the NUJ, ABS Awka Chapel, Comrade Blessing Dennis; Financial Secretary of the NUJ, ABS Onitsha Chapel, Comrade Franka Ononuju; Vice Chairman of the NUJ, ABS Onitsha Chapel, Mrs Ifeoma Okibo; and Secretary of the NUJ, ABS Awka Chapel, Comrade Emmanuel Chigbata.

Their questions focused on disciplinary procedures, effective communication, inclusive leadership and decision making in union administration.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, ABS Awka Chapel, Comrade Emmanuel Okonkwo, said the training had equipped the newly elected executives with the knowledge and practical leadership skills needed to strengthen the union, promote professionalism and improve members’ welfare.

The training ended with a renewed commitment by the executives of the Awka and Onitsha Chapels to provide purposeful leadership, uphold the ideals of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and continue to champion the union’s motto, “The Voice of the Voiceless.”