National Executive Council(NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) has decried the worsening insecurity in the country.
Rising from a meeting presided over by its National President, Comrade Alhasan Yahya, held in Kano State on Tuesday, August 12th, to review the state of the nation and deliberate on critical issues affecting the media industry and the welfare of journalists in Nigeria, the NEC expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in many parts of the country, particularly in Benue, Zamfara, and Plateau States, among others.
The rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes continue to endanger lives and threaten national unity. The Union calls on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace, protect citizens, and prevent the nation from sliding into further lawlessness.
On road infrastructure, the NEC lamented the hazardous state of federal and state roads across the country, particularly in Delta, Bauchi, Gombe to Taraba, Benue, Rivers, Enugu, and Kogi States.
According to the NEC, “many of these roads have become death traps, disrupting economic activities and causing needless loss of lives.”
The NEC “urged both Federal and State Governments to take immediate action to rehabilitate critical road networks and ensure the timely and quality completion of all ongoing projects.”
Pointing its searclight on the unprofessional conduct of some Chief Press Secretaries(CPS), the NEC noted with dismay the growing incidence of unprofessional conduct by some Chief Press Secretaries (CPS) to State Governors, including hostility towards journalists and obstructing NUJ Council leaders from accessing their governors.
“Such behaviour is unacceptable. The NEC reminds CPS that their role is to facilitate constructive engagement between government and the media, not to hinder it.”
State Governors were urged “to strengthen relationships with NUJ Council leaders and journalists, recognising them as partners in progress.”
Going further, the NEC applauded the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for his unprecedented donation of brand-new SUVs to the eleven members of the State Working Committee(SWC) of the NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council.
“This gesture reflects a genuine appreciation of the media’s role in governance and serves as encouragement for responsible journalism. The NEC urges other governors to emulate this example.”
Also, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhasan Yahya, and his team “for their visionary leadership and commitment to improving the welfare of members nationwide.”
NEC in session called on federal and state governments to ensure proper and full implementation of the ₦70,000(Seventy thousand naira) minimum wage among media organisations in Nigeria as well as provide welfare packages for Journalists.
State governments were warned to desist from unnecessary censorship of media organisations in their respective states.
