Fresh concerns have emerged over the relationship between former and current union leadership at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), following an appeal by the Chairman of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Adeniyi Faleti, to his predecessor, Comrade Kolapo Carew.
In a statement, Faleti recounted recent encounters involving union representatives and government stakeholders, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as attempts to overshadow the responsibilities of the current executives.
He maintained that the situation required urgent attention to prevent internal disagreements from affecting efforts to address the welfare and operational challenges facing BCOS.
The union chairman emphasised that the interests of workers should take precedence over personal disagreements, insisting that cooperation between RATTAWU and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was necessary to advance discussions on the challenges confronting the state-owned media organisation.
He also acknowledged Carew’s previous service as RATTAWU BCOS Chapter chairman but maintained that the current leadership should be allowed to perform its duties in line with established union procedures.
According to Faleti, the union leadership has continued to engage government representatives and other stakeholders in search of solutions to the problems facing BCOS.
However, he expressed concern that disagreements and conflicting representations within the union structure could complicate these efforts.
He alleged that concerns had been raised over instances in which Carew was reportedly presented as the serving RATTAWU chairman during engagements with government officials.
Faleti said such representations, if established, could create uncertainty about the individuals authorised to speak for the union and weaken the effectiveness of discussions with relevant authorities.
He stressed that the current executives had a responsibility to represent members and pursue their interests, adding that clarity over leadership positions was essential to maintaining credibility during official engagements.
Faleti recounts encounter with APM figure at BCOS
The RATTAWU chairman also referred to an incident at the BCOS premises involving Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, whom the statement identified as the incoming governor of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
According to Faleti, Adekanmbi visited the corporation for an interview and was approached after the programme by representatives of RATTAWU and NUJ, who wanted to draw his attention to the challenges facing the organisation and its employees.
Faleti said Adekanmbi listened to the union representatives and requested their account details, indicating that he would consider providing some financial assistance.
The chairman, however, explained that the unions’ primary objective was to secure attention for the difficulties confronting BCOS and the welfare concerns of its workers, rather than to solicit financial support.
He said Adekanmbi explained that he was running behind schedule for another engagement and asked the representatives to forward the requested details.
Faleti alleged that Carew subsequently intervened in the discussion, saying he would handle the matter.
According to the statement, Adekanmbi questioned what Carew intended to handle, given that the union representatives were already speaking with him directly. The statement also quoted him as saying, “Ojú àwo ni àwo fi ń gba obè,” a Yoruba expression that can be understood in the context of the exchange as emphasising the importance of recognising established roles and procedures.
Faleti said the encounter reinforced his concerns about the need for coordination and respect for the recognised representatives of the unions.
Union insists workers’ welfare remains priority
The RATTAWU chairman maintained that the activities of the current union executives were not motivated by personal ambitions, political interests or the pursuit of public recognition.
He said the unions’ responsibility was to defend workers’ interests, promote their welfare and contribute to the continued survival and development of BCOS.
Faleti warned that disagreements over representation could undermine relationships between the corporation and government stakeholders at a time when cooperation was needed to address the institution’s challenges.
He urged individuals with influence within the corporation and the unions to ensure that personal differences did not overshadow the collective interests of employees.
The chairman further appealed to Carew to allow the current RATTAWU and NUJ leaderships to carry out their responsibilities without what he described as unnecessary interference.
While acknowledging Carew’s contributions during his time as chairman, Faleti said previous service to the union should not be confused with the authority and responsibilities attached to its current leadership.
He argued that union positions were governed by constitutions, established procedures and the mandate given to elected executives, rather than personal influence or past occupancy of an office.
Faleti urges cooperation to move BCOS forward
Faleti called on stakeholders to avoid actions that could create confusion during discussions with government officials, stressing that a united approach would improve the unions’ ability to present workers’ concerns effectively.
He maintained that no individual should place personal interests above the institution or the collective objectives of the union.
The chairman also urged members and stakeholders to focus on issues affecting the corporation rather than allow internal disagreements to distract from efforts to improve its operations and the conditions of its workforce.
He concluded by stressing that the responsibility for BCOS’s progress rested with all stakeholders, adding that cooperation and mutual respect were essential to achieving meaningful improvements.
The statement ended with a renewed appeal to Carew and other stakeholders to support the current union leaderships and work collectively towards addressing the challenges facing BCOS workers.
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