A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT END OF FEBRUARY CONGRESS OF NUJ, ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL, HELD ON FEBRUARY 1, 2024 AT GODWIN EZEEMO INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, AWKA.

The Congress presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning the Union, the state and the nation at large. In the congress, some past chairmen of the Council: Comrades Victor Agusiobo and Comrade Henry Nwasike were, whereas the presence of distinguished veteran journalists including Okechukwu Obeta and Franz Ndulue, who are the Vice Chairman Emeritus, and the Secretary Emeritus of the council respectively. The resolutions of the Congress include:

Commendation to the Union members for their support and solidarity with the family of the Late Nneka Anoliefo, the deceased member of the ABS Chapel of the union.

Commendation to members for their solidarity and defence of members in the face of antagonism and unnecessary aggression from some members of the public.

Encouragement of members to unite at all times in defence of the Union and her members, for such unity will help NUJ and her members to survive amidst sheer oppression and antagonism by internal and external forces in society.

Commendation to the Union leadership for prompt intervention in discrimination against one member of NUJ with disability at the NYSC orientation camp

Appeal to the members of the public to ensure people living with disabilities are not discriminated against but rather given the required assistance to cope in life.

The Anambra State Government was urged to sit up to its responsibility of safeguarding the people of the state in the increasing rate of crime and criminality in the state and the country generally.

None journalists were warned to desist from parading themselves as such, as the union won’t take it lightly with anyone caught impersonating a journalist.

Qualified journalists who have not identified and registered with the union were urged to do so immediately for greater strength and professional visibility.

Request for the state government and other good-spirited individuals to assist the union in fencing the NUJ, Anambra State Council Secretariat, and help her tackle other challenges.

Commendation to the present Anambra State Government over some of their intervention in road construction and urged the government to expedite efforts towards improving the condition of many roads in abysmal condition within the state possibly before the rainy season 2024.

Commendation to Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the last general election of Nigeria; represented by NUJ Anambra Matriarch, Professor Stella Okunna and the Media Aide to Mr Obi, Mr Valentine Obienyem. The representatives disclosed that Excellency Mr Peter Obi offered support towards hosting the February Congress of the union as a token of his appreciation to journalists for their contributions to the growth and advancement of the state and the country at large.

Commendation to His Royal Majesty Igwe (Pharm) Alex Uzo Onyido, Ezechuamagha of Ogidi Kingdom, who won NUJ Anambra State 2023 Man of the Year, for his humanitarian disposition that earned him the award. He was urged to continue his good services to humanity, especially in the current hard time in Nigeria.

Condemnation of the activities of the overzealous task-force members of Anambra State Government who are used to inflicting pains on so many individuals while demolishing what they call illegal structures in some parts of the state or hunting some people in internal revenue generation for the government. The State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo was urged to curtail the level or stop the barbaric actions of the overzealous task-force members who subtly glorify violence in the state. He was advised to direct his government officials to ensure civility and humanness in dealing with demolition of the obvious illegal structures and avoid destroying one’s goods alongside the illegal structures, in the present biting economic condition of the country.

Congress Communique Drafting Committee

Lawrence Nwimo
Joseph Egbeocha

Signed

Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD
Chairman NUJ Anambra State Council
08060750240

Comrade Aloysius Ofodile, KSJI
Secretary NUJ Anambra State Council