NUJ, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s CPS, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos rift deepens

www.odogwublog.com reports that the face-off between the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ), and the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, today took a sudden twist as NUJ has accused the CPS of "sponsoring quacks to cause division in Abia NUJ".

NUJ has earlier in a petition to Gov. Ikpeazu, called for immediate redeployment of Appolos who it said had poor relations with journalists in the state.

The Council also accused the CPS of "impudence and arrogance" over his "derogatory remarks on NUJ and its members" when the leadership visited him to seek audience with the governor.

Chairman of the Council, Comrade John Emejor, in a press statement issued today in Umuahia, expressed sadness that while the Governor was yet to react to the petition, Appolos had not restrained himself from disparaging the Abia NUJ.

He was reacting to a media remark credited to Appolos when a group of news reporters from Aba visited him Tuesday in his office.

Appolos had while addressing the group, called on the NUJ national leadership to review the status of members of the union, arguing that anyone without a news medium should not be allowed to belong to NUJ.

The NUJ boss who is a Director of Information in the Abia State service, faulted the CPS on his view that only people with media outfit would be admitted into NUJ , saying such view smacks his ignorance.

The statement read in part: " My attention has been drawn to a news report in the Daily Sun of Wednesday, March 15, 2017 emanating from the purported visit of an
amorphous group that calls itself the “Federated Chapel, Aba, Nigeria
Union of Journalists (NUJ)” to the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the
Governor, Enyinnaya Appolos.

"The report further said that 'the CPS spoke against the backdrop of a
letter purported to have emanated from John Emejor-led NUJ, Abia State
Council, addressing other registered Journalists in Aba as amorphous
journalists.

"Unfortunately, the report deliberately did not mention the names of leaders and members of the said chapel. I wish to state here that following the arrogance and impudence of the CPS, a Congress of Abia Council in February approved that a petition be raised to the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, requesting him to
redeploy the CPS because of his inexperience and incapability of rising to the demands of that office.

"In the petition, it was stated that the CPS has publicly stated his
preference for an “amorphous group,” in Aba to other journalists
practicing in the state.

"I wish to state that the CPS used the occasion of the purported visit
of the “Federated Chapel, Aba,” to respond to the petition even when
his principal is yet to react to the said petition.

"His response vindicates our assertion that he is a greenhorn in
journalism, ignorant and knows nothing about NUJ. The CPS appears to be operating out of course. This is his bane."

Emejor accused the CPS of using his position to encourage quackery in NUJ by sponsoring a group unknown to the leadership of the union, warning him to desist from his action.


"The so called Aba Federated chapel of NUJ is unknown to Abia NUJ
Council. Who is their chairman and other officials? The CPS is
attempting, by subterfuge, to create a parallel NUJ Council in Aba by
renting and furnishing an office for the so-called “Federated Chapel,
Aba,” that he is promoting, without first ascertaining the status of
the members.

"The CPS should tell the world who conducted the election and
inaugurated the chapel and when; and how many of them have valid
licence/NUJ identification card.

"The conclusion of the matter, therefore, is that any journalist that is not operating in line with the constitution of our great Union is an amorphous member, and their
chapel is also amorphous.

"It is clear to us that the CPS is using his position to sponsor division in Abia NUJ and encourage quackery in the profession. A word is enough for the wise."

Photo: Appolos and Director of Army Public Relations Col Yusuf A
By Okonta Stephen
NUJ, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s CPS, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos rift deepens NUJ, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s CPS, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos  rift deepens Reviewed by Unknown on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Rating: 5

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