A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE APRIL CONGRESS OF NUJ, ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL

IT WAS HELD ON APRIL 4, 2024, AT GODWIN EZEEMO INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, NUJ SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, AWKA.

The Congress presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph.D, deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning the Union, and the state at large.

The Congress welcomed the presence of Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, NUJ Matriarch and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Paul University Awka for her untiring support to the union particularly sponsoring part of the April congress merriments.

The following resolutions were made:

Congress congratulates NUJ benefactor, Dr Adaora Umeoji, on her elevation to the position of Managing Director (MD) of Zenith Bank PLC. The Union also celebrates with another patron, Obi Asika, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Storm 360 Entertainment, who was appointed as the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC. The Union describes their elevations as well deserved and a plus to the State NUJ Council.

STATE OF THE UNION

Congress described as unfortunate the attitude of members on not taking the affairs of the Union serious, particularly in attending Congress meetings being held once every month. Congress warned that union should NOT only be remembered by members when in trouble as it is not a fighting and trouble-making body. It reminded that journalists are the moral barometers of society and, hence should not make their Union a laughing stock, but model that can only be emulated by others.

Congress reminded Union members to endeavor to pay their Chapel’s Check-off Dues and Annual Professional Fees in line with the constitution as reviewed by the National body. It stated clearly that some chapels would soon be delisted from the union’s books for failure to pay their check off dues and professional/practice fees. It also urged qualified journalists who are not registered in any chapel to do so immediately for greater strength and professional visibility.

Congress commended Union members for practicing professionally even with the attendant difficulties in society. It however mourns the death of Princess Nkiru Okolo of Zenith Bank, a benefactor to the union, praying God grants her soul eternal rest.

Congress urges members to strive to contact their chapel chairperson on distress occassions and not directly the NUJ chairman. It emphasized that the Chairman and other council executives can only relate directly with chapel leaders on issues affecting chapel members except on rare or extreme occasions.

Congress welcomed the report of the outreach program to Ugbenu community in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The union expressed gratitude to God for making that outreach possible as the union spent over Five Million Naira in taking care of others needs.

STATE OF THE STATE

Congress commends the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, for finishing strongly in his police career and thanked him for blossoming the relationship the Force has with journalists in the state.

Congress congratulates the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for resuscitating the water scheme in Anambra, asking the governor to ensure that the scheme is sustained and serves the purpose for which it was revived.

Congress asks the state government to find a way to evacuate street beggars at the Unizik temp site, Regina Caeli, and Arroma junctions of the Enugu-Oitsha expressway among others. This, it said, will help avert any impending disaster or catastrophe.

Congress commends the Police Force and other security agencies in the state for showing their presence in the fight against insecurity and urged them not to rest on their oars but to do more to eradicate kidnapping and other cult-related crimes in the state.

Congress received with thanks gift items from NUJ Matriarch and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Paul University Awka, Professor Stella Okunna, in support of Union’s congress and meetings.

Compiled by
Communique drafting committee led by Comrade Lawrence Nwimo

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

Comrade Aloysius Ofodile,
Secretary NUJ Anambra State Council