COMMUNIQUE OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS ZONE F ISSUED AT THE ZONAL MEETING HELD AT THE PRESS CENTRE, INFORMATION DRIVE, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE ON SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023.
The following resolutions were reached at the Zonal meeting:
1) The meeting, which had 14 leaders in attendance, including the National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo MFR, discussed extensively on the issue of Grand Patron and resolved to follow up on the persons nominated to play that role in the Zone.
2) While condemning the demolition of the property of Bayelsa State Government by the Government of Rivers State in Port – Harcourt, an action which has far-reaching implications on the relationship between the people of both states, the meeting requested the in-coming administration in Rivers State to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity and peace.
3) The meeting noted the mindless neglect and non-completion of major roads in the South – South States, particularly, East – West, Calabar-Itu Highway, Benin – Sapale Road, Benin -Lokoja Road and called on the Federal Government to take action on these roads as it has done in other Zones. It also encouraged State Governors in the South – South Zone to work closely with the in-coming Federal Government to complete the roads as “The goose that lays the golden egg” should have a comfortable nest.
4) On the power tussle in NDDC Board, the meeting described the development as shameless, and capable of truncating the mandate of the interventionist agency. It called on the Board members to stop the ego war and work to deliver on the Commission’s mandate to the people of the Zone.
5) The meeting called on the six Governors in the Zone to evolve strategies to resuscitate the BRACED Commission to serve the purpose of peer review and development coordination in the Zone.
6) The meeting noted the resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in some parts of Rivers State after the 2023 general elections as these incidents have claimed the lives of some citizens and led to the destruction of properties. It therefore, called on the Rivers State Government and security agencies to beef up security in the State to address the drift.
7) The meeting noted with satisfaction the support of some Governors in the South- South to the Union in their respective States. Particularly, the meeting commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for being a strong pillar of support to Akwa Ibom State Council; Bayelsa State Governor for appointing journalists into positions of trust and for equipping the Ernest Ikoli Media Complex with State – of – the Art equipment, including the digital facilities for Radio Bayelsa and the Niger Delta Television; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for considering a member of the Delta State Council as a Permanent Secretary among other numerous supports.
8). Similarly, the meeting lauded the Edo State Government for paying civil servants in the State N40, 000.00 minimum wage and urged other State Governments in the Zone to emulate the worthy example of of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The meeting encouraged members to uphold the standards of the journalism profession at all times so that it will not lose public confidence, especially in the face of new media and fake news.
The states in zone f’ of the Nigeria Union of Journalists are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo and Rivers state.
Comrade Dominic Akpan
Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee
Comrade Ogio Ipigansi,
Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee
Comrade Solomon Azu
Member, Communique Drafting Committee
Comrade Opaka Dokubo
Vice President, Zone F
Comrade Angese John
Zonal Secretary
NUJ’s fence mending comment on Rivers, Bayelsa imbroglio
