A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT END OF NOVEMBER CONGRESS OF NUJ, ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL, HELD AT GODWIN EZEEMO INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, AWKA

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, held its monthly Congress on November 2, 2023, at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, NUJ Secretariat Complex, Awka.

The meeting 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 and came up with the following resolutions:  1. Congress restated the importance of the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and called for a cordial relationship between journalists in the state and the government of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, even as it expressed happiness at the public rating of the performance of the media in the state lately where journalists were hailed for dedication to duties and compliance to professional ethics. 2. Congress, however, called on the media to prioritise practicality, balance, transparency and collaboration in their professional duties for a better society.  3. Congress called on the Anambra State government to leverage the media in the state as a tool for promoting sustainable development, including regarding long-term economic growth, social well-being, and environmental conservation.  4. Congress urged journalists to use their pen to promote peace and unity, rather than using this to engender chaos and breakdown of law and order.  5. Congress commended the efforts of Anambra State-based journalists in setting social agendas and encouraged them to uphold their professional codes of ethics, especially in the areas of balance, truth, accuracy and objectivity. 6. Congress commended the organizing committee of NUJ Man of the Year Award 2023 for the hitch-free event where HRH Igwe (Pharm) Alex Onyido emerged as the NUJ Anambra State Man of the Year 2023 even as it described the theme of the event “Pragmatic Media Practice as an Antidote to Sustainable Development in a Distressed Economy,” spoken on by the National Chairman of APGA, Hon Sly Ezeokenwa, as apt. 7. Congress commended the Managing Director of Tiger Foods LTD, Onitsha, Mr Don Ebubeogu, for granting the NUJ an opportunity for a facility visit to the company, noting that his speech on “akụ lụọ uno” principles was quite insightful as it illuminated the need for people of the Southeast Nigeria to key into various opportunities available for manufacturers and other entrepreneurs.  8. Congress commended the National Chairman of APGA, Barr Sly Ezeokenwa as well as the Chief Judge of Anambra State, His Lordship Onochie Anyachebelu, and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, for the partnership the Union has enjoyed with the judiciary and the legislature in the state while urging for a more robust relationship towards a better society.  9. Congress commended the Anambra NUJ Man of the Year 2022, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, DMD Zenith Bank PLC, for her immense contribution to the banking sector and her exemplary humanitarian activities through the years, while also appreciating her generosity in supporting the Union with a donation of N5 million for its water borehole project. 10. Congress congratulated the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Igwe (Pharm) Alex Uzodinma Onyido, for emerging as the NUJ Anambra Man of the Year 2023 following a rigorous selection process, while urging him to continue in the good work that attracted him the award.  11. Congress applauded Anambra State Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, Comrade Obinna Odogwu, for emerging as the 2023 winner of Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna Prize for Ethical Journalism, while also congratulating David Eleke of ThisDay and Izunna Okafor of 247ureports who were the first and second runner-up respectively.  12. Congress frowned at the recklessness of some road users in the State and urged relevant government agencies including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to do the needful to check the situation to reduce the rate of crashes on the roads.  13. Congress commended efforts of some Anambra representatives in the federal legislature for standing up for justice, mentioning specifically the motion by Hon Lilian Orogbu (representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency) on the non-payment of salaries of some staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and the intervention by Senator Victor Umeh (representing Anambra Central) in the issue of house demolitions at Abule-Ado in Lagos State.  14. Congress appealed to the Anambra State Government to ensure people don’t lose their property and valuables to touts, cultists, street urchins and other hoodlums in communities such as witnessed at Iyowa-Odekpe and other places across the state. 15. Congress commended the state government under Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the initiative to establish old people’s homes to care for the elderly in the state. It, however, cautioned that people should not abandon their aged ones because of the existence of such homes. 16. Congress appealed to well-to-do members of society to ensure that they remember the less privileged ones this yuletide and try to put smiles on their faces in a manner that respects their dignity as against mere using them for public shows.  Signed:Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhDChairman, NUJ, Anambra State Council08060750240  Comrade Aloysius Ofodile, KSJSecretary, NUJ Anambra State Council Communique Drafted by Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu.Assistant Secretary, NUJ, Anambra State Council,