Anambra Monarch asks journalists to intensify publicity to expose cultism, Mkpurummiri

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka.

His Royal Highness Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje, the traditional ruler of Umunya community in Oyi local government area, Anambra state has told journalists in Anambra to up their game in exposing the activities of cultists in communities in the State

He also asked the media to contribute their quota in tackling the consumption of methamphetamine known in Igbo slang as Mkpulu Mmiri by dishing out reports that will not only expose the peddlers of the illicit drugs but also discourage youths who are the major victims of the dangerous substance.

The Monarch gave the task while addressing the State Executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD during a courtesy call in his Palace at Umunya on Thursday.

He said: “the Media are the people that we hope on to help tackle the menace of crime by disseminating stories that can help the masses to know what is going on.

“I want to plead with journalists to hit more on Mkpuru mmiri. It has destroyed our youths and led them into cultism and crimes. Cultism and arms wielding is not in our culture. It is becoming unbelievable the rate with which youths attack each other with cutlasses and other dangerous weapon in the name of cultism.”

The monarch condemned the spate of killings and insecurity in the country. He also commended the commitment of the Anambra state government led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to eradicate crime and criminality in the state.

The traditional ruler hailed Anambra NUJ’s plan to host maiden Bloggers Summit in the state, noting that the initiative is timely especially in a period where crime and fake new is reigning supreme.

He said the Summit, which will take place on July 8, 2022, at the NUJ Secretariat, Awka, will among other benefits address the shortcomings of bloggers in the society.

While he promised his unalloyed support and partnership with the Media, he urged NUJ to cease the opportunity to train and retrain journalists to take the media practice in the state to a higher level.

Earlier, the Chairman NUJ Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD promised to take the message home to the Union members. He also assured that journalists in the state would do everything to maintain their status as the defenders of truth in the society.

In a remark, the Union’s Internal Auditor, Comrade Queen Ifeyinwa Iloanya thanked the monarch for his encouragements and supports and prayed God to enlarge His coast to do more for the society.