NUJ, Poland Media Association Sign MoU to Deepen Cooperation, Exchanges

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Poland Media Association (PMA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Journalists House with a view to fostering media exchanges and cooperation among Nigerian and Polish journalists.

According to NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, the understanding would also help to promote communication between the two countries, and in the process expose them to peculiar professional dynamics existing in both climes.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Leman said: “The MoU was formally signed by leaders from both organisations.

“While the President of the NUJ, Dr. Christopher Isiguzo, signed on behalf of the Nigerian journalists, Mr. Marek Traczyk, President of the PMA, signed for the polish side, with array of journalists from different part of the world witnessing the historic agreement.

“The agreement was part of the high points of the ongoing Belt and Road Journalists Forum taking place in Beijing, China, with leaders of over 80 journalists unions and associations from across the world present.

“The two countries also agreed to expose their members to exchange and capacity building programmes in Poland and Nigeria.”

 The statement added: “Other critical elements of the historic agreement include that the Nigeria-Polish House of Journalists is a mechanism jointly established by the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Polish Media Association to promote exchanges and cooperation among journalists from Nigeria and Poland. Other financial intermediaries and associated institutions from other countries are cordially invited to participate.

“The Nigeria-Polish House of Journalists will strengthen the Nigeria interregional cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries to jointly promote exchanges and cooperation between journalists from Nigeria, Poland, and other Central and Eastern European countries.

“The Association of Polish Media is ready to provide support and assistance to Nigerian journalists permanently or temporarily residing in Poland, and the NUJ is ready to provide support and assistance to Polish journalists staying permanently or temporarily in Nigeria.

“The press organisations of both countries are ready to actively organise bilateral and multilateral seminars, training and exchanges, exhibitions remotely and stationary. All interested journalists from other countries are welcome.

“The Association of Polish Media and the Nigeria Union of Journalists are ready to cooperate in order to introduce the mechanism of the Nigeria-Polish House of Journalists cooperation platform and expand the impact of this mechanism.

“The Association of Polish Media and the Nigeria Union of Journalists want to actively introduce the cooperation mechanism of the Nigeria-Polish House of Journalists to their members and partners in various ways to get more support.”