Nwafor Okafor
Confirm Gab Okpalaeze as ABS Managing Director, NUJ, RATTAWU beg Soludo

The Anambra State Chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers' Union( RATTAWU), has urged the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to confirm Mr Gab Okpalaeze as the substantive Managing Director of the state-owned radio station, the Anambra Broadcasting Service( ABS)

The two media groups stated this during a courtesy visit to Okpalaeze who is currently acting as the Managing Director of ABS.

It was gathered that Okpalaeze had intermittently acted as the MD of the establishment for 10 years, thereafter the state government would appoint an outsider above him as the substantive MD of the organisation.

Describing the situation as an absurd and counterproductive, the NUJ chairman in the state, Dr Emeka Odogwu, enjoined Soludo to confirm Okpalaeze's status.

Odogwu said," Gab Is the engine room of ABS. He has been very supportive to the management of this outfit. For over 10 years has been acting as MD. What NUJ is asking today is for our governor, Prof Soludo to confirm him as the substantive MD of ABS. He has paid his dues, no need appointing people who don't know the history of this place to come and head the place; it's not professionally advisable because it's always counterproductive.

"Okpalaeze has less than two years in service, so Prof Soludo should confirm as a parting gift to him after many years of meritorious service to the state and to the organisation. He deserves the position", Odogwu stated.

Speaking, the National Vice President ( South-East) and State Chairman of RATTAWU, Prince Emeka Kalu and Andy Onwualu, respectively, commended the state governor for appointing two members of staff of the ABS as commissioners in his Government.

They said the governor's appointment was clear testimony that ABS had quality manpower, urging him to in the same manner confirm Okpalaeze as the substantive MD of the outfit.

RATTAWU said:
When an insider naturally progresses through the ranks and becomes MD, it gives a sense of fulfilment to all staff, and encourages them to work harder and more professionally so as to get to the pinnacle of their career, one day.

There is better utilization of scarce resources by an MD from within because the public service orientation in him or her would never allow him embark on spending above limit allowed, without recourse to the parent ministry for scrutiny and approvals.

A managing director that emerges from among staff has always been more frugal and considers the well being of staff uppermost, just as he tends and cares for government facilities entrusted in his hands as he would his personal property.
His stakes are high in the establishment so he would not afford to mess up the place where his pensions and gratuities will come from.

External hands see it as political appointment and a gold mine, where what he will gain personally beclouds common interest of staff and government. This explains the glamour often attached to the office anytime an outsider is MD. Critical equipment like generators needed to sustain transmission maybe allowed to dilapidate, while available funds are deployed to phantom projects and others that attract vain glories.

One who grew up in the system is at home with men and materials available for the job and he does not have to start learning on the job, with costly mistakes attached to trial and error.

A politically appointed MD from outside goes about the job with less regard for civil service rules and the organizational structures he met on ground. Staff are now deployed outside their area of specialization and certain offices and units are created to favour some people, even placing their seniors under them. This politicisation and bastardization of the pubic service breeds bad blood among staff and stifles productivity. For instance, about 25 members of staff were appointed SSAs, SAs, and EAs in the immediate past dispensation. You can imagine the great task ahead to get them reorientated into the civil service system, as they were virtually turned into politicians.

An insider MD has his eyes on the ground, perceives injustice and works hard to harmonize staff for greater efficiency.

When an outsider is appointed, there is always friction with labour unions and professional bodies staff belong to, and this rubs off on productivity.

ABS MD who ascended from seniority consideration has become attuned to service to state and government in power, and as such tailors government policies and programmes in the most understandable way for the citizenry.

The never say die spirit of the public service has prepared the MD from within to make the best out of available funds and equipment.
We do not believe that the subvention must be increased before we achieve feats. Give us the current monthly subvention without increase, and we would make waves with it. Already we have started exploiting our professional ties with members of the public who are pledging to assist us repair or replace some of our critical equipment.

" We urge His Excellency to appoint the most senior career Officer in ABS the
State owned Media Organization, as substantive Chief Executive Officer,
even on probationary basis of say 12 months or 24 months with strict
mandate to transform the organization from Subvention to Net-Revenue
Earner within the probation period, failing which he might be relieved of
the appointment. We make this bold request, because as insiders we
know that it is achievable. This of course, should be in addition to scaling
up production contents and information management quality

There is no better sector to start the right re-building of institutions in the
new Anambra State than the Media – from Anambra Broadcasting
Service (ABS Radio & TV) to Anambra Newspaper & Printing Corporation
(ANPC) and the Social Media Handlers/Managers. Appointing Politicians
or outsiders to headship of these organizations is a disincentive to career
progression and professionalism which breeds nonchalant attitude and
frustration to dedicated and long serving personnel; and this is the bane
of government businesses. The new Government should show faith to its
workers and in return reap a target-driven reward of revenue returns,
expertise and a motivated workforce. Let us return FAITH to our systems.
Appointment of non-pensionable politicians/outsiders always comes with
the baggage of pursuing quick selfish pecuniary gains, emphasis on perks
of office, patronage of political sponsors and cronies, wastages as well as
suppression of career growth and imposition of inexperienced persons on
veterans and senior officers which creates toxic work places. Industrial
harmony and improvement in Peoples’ Happiness Index should be priority.
One of the necessary ingredients needed to achieve sustainable HOPE &
FAITH in the polity is for news and information to be perceived as nondoctored or un-patronizing of the state, even when it is. Only competent
professionals, free from political interference, can deliver such with infectious precision.

Responding, Okpalaeze thanked the media professionals for their solidarity, assuring them that he would not let them down.