My Leadership Will Give FIBAN National Outlook, Prioritises Members Welfare- Taiwo Gold
By Dupson Collins, 19th January, 2023
The newly sworn-in National President of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Comrade Taiwo Adebayo Gold has promised to give the association a national outlook and prioritize the welfare of members across board.
Comrade Taiwo Gold untill recent elevation was the National General Secretary of FIBAN.
Speaking with the PATH, Comrade Gold attributed his victory at the keenly contested poll to God’s divine mercy and support of FIBAN members across the country, thanking them for the confident repose in him to lead the association for the next three years.
” My victory is by the mercy of God; Leaders are ordained by God and divinely appointed. I can’t but say the road was rough but I thanked God and all members of FIBAN across the country for counting me worthy to lead the association for the next three years’.
He further reiterated his commitment to the welfare of all members, saying the well-being of every member will be prioritized .
He said: ” The theme of my campaign was tagged ”Fresh Ideas”. I am bringing new things into FIBAN. When Comrade Desmond Nwachukwu came on board, he brought New things likewise Comrade Yemi Shounde. Our great association is going to witness new Innovative ideas that will further sell us to the public”.
The president added that toping his agenda is the introduction of Social Welfare Scheme that will cater for members need, mostly during the period of challenges.
” In media today, it’s one thing to have name and it’s another thing to enjoy the euphoria attached to the name. We have cases of celebrities in Media business and entertainment industry that start begging for survival in the face of small challenges; this our social welfare scheme aside taking care of all members will also care for those passing through hard times”.
He charged FIBAN Members to support and key into the Scheme that will stop begging among members whenever they are facing challenges like sickness, adding that the programme is going to be a partnership between the association and private organizations in the country.
” Many people are only living by their names but nothing to show for it; with the scheme, we are determine to ensure our members enjoy the fruit of their labour while still alive”.
The president noted that, aside Social Welfare Scheme, his administration will embark on massive membership drive, saying FIBAN is not a regional association. ” Formally, FIBAN was a regional association in Yoruba speaking states but the immediate past president has given the association a national outlook with members from other non Yoruba speaking states”.
He promised to take campaign of FIBAN to other states of the federation, noting that in three months time, new Chapters of the association will be inaugurated in two or more states.
While commending Comrade Desmond led administration on the establishment of College of Broadcast, he promised to sustain the legacy.” College of Broadcasting established by last administration which I was part of is the first of its kind in Nigeria, affiliated with Crescent University, Abeokuta where both new and old members are train and retrain in the field of broadcasting”.
Comrade Gold promised to sustain the legacy of providing scholarship to selected members studying at the College of Broadcasting, saying they need to step up their games if they want to continue to be relevant in the broadcasting industry.
While assuring Members of continuity of the “Time Out With Broadcasters” programme where distinguished individual is being celebrated, he said genuine reconciliation among aggrieved members after the election that brought him to office must be done.
“Our program, TIME OUT WITH BROADCASTERS is an avenue for us to unwind and enjoy ourselves and also to celebrate distinguish individual in the society that has carved a niche for themselves. Election is over, we must embark on genuine reconciliation, extend hands of fellowship to all and ensure everybody is giving sense of belonging. FIBAN is bigger than an individual, we must all work together for the betterment of this great association”.
He appealed to members to see payment of annual dues as an obligation they must perform as a bonafide members of FIBAN, saying the era of building the association on individual has gone, promising to use his connection and influence to generate more revenue for the association.
He added: ” Your financial commitment makes you a bonafide member of any association. We are going hold meeting with all the state Chairmen on the need to start remitting money to the national purse like other media organizations such as NUJ, RATTAWU. The project of this administration is a collective responsibility that must be achieved within our three years in office”.
