Cornucopia: Governor Soludo’s Aversion for Anambra State Journalists, Real Or Imagined?

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu has just finished writing a letter of closure for Anambra state’s prudent and digital Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo to sign. Once signed, National Light Newspapers and Printing Corporation stops to exist as an entity. Then, workers in the establishment including journalists will be jobless. Do I have any right to ask a Governor not to shut the oldest Newspaper in the region because of journalists working there? Let me ask Prof Soludo to kindly absorb the workers in the newspaper establishment into the Ministry. This is my plea dear Prof!

Prof Soludo would have been very unhappy, if thugs armed with dangerous weapons like guns, axes,daggers allegedly had killed Comrade Chinwe Uyanwa, Branch Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE , Onitsha North council area. Her offense was demanding the rights of the workers from the Head of local Government Administration, Onitsha North, Mr Victor Orji ( Commodore). NULGE workers were not happy Commodore jettisoned the use of a government released circular in disbursement of monthly staff claims since December 2022 till date.

Chinwe is a young widow. She lost her husband late last year. I am not privy to the issues before now but at the peak of the crisis, allegations of sexual advances rejected became subject of common discuss. I was about writing it before troubles of closing National Light Newspapers and paying workers off came up. Some workers are already receiving pension and others about to retire? What happens to them? Soludo employed other professionals, but closing an establishment were journalists are plying their trade, as professionals! Why?

Why would a seasoned local government administrator jettison Government service commission circular on disbursement of staff committee and the use of the establishment management committee as stipulated in the circular dated December 21,2020 and signed by I.S Nwattah Esq, JP , Secretary HLGA for chairman local government service commission and has diverted the sum of two million naira to God knows where allegedly. Is the Council Chairman, Hon Onochie Ozoma not terrified by this? Must he wait for Commissioner for local government to intervene before doingwhat is right? This circular mentioned Branch Chairman of NULGE as management staff. Why deny her ,her rights? Dr Nonye Soludo must hear this! We remember Nnewi saga, etc?

Who ordered the thugs that beat up a woman, who is the Onitsha North council Branch chairman of NULGE? Was it by the orders of the local government Transition Committee Chairman or ? Who stole her valuables including her phone Samsung S22 ultra? Who is denying a woman her rights under Prof Soludo, forgetting that we have a first Lady with soft spot for women? Are workers welfare suffering in this council area? Why should chapter chairman of NULGE union fund burial of the two deceased staff of the council Late. Anthony Ogoazi buried in onitsha and Late. Mr Valentine in Nawfija from her personal purse? Is this the proper thing to do in the Council?

May 1 of every year is marked globally as Workers Day. Also known in some parlance as May Day, International Workers Day or Labour Day, the day is set aside to commemorate the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour unions.

The 2023 edition was very unique for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,Anambra State Council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, as over 100 members attended, out of the 400 congress attending members of about 1000 journalists in Anambra State. We were discussing in hushed tunes what next with our members and others targeted for sack at National Light Newspapers and Printing Corporation, Awka. I personally called for the Newspapers and was shocked they are producing regularly and impressive stories online and hardcopy. Who says National Light can’t compete with Sun, Guardian, Vanguard and Thisday? Why can’t Soludo make National Light leading regional newspaper for Ndigbo like Nigerian Tribune is for the Yoruba and Daily Trust for the Hausa? Why shut it down? Why not give them mandate? Aside 84 official staff ,National Light has over 30 casual staff too. Why lay all these people off? Soludo why?

Someone from another Union spilled the beans. He said we weren’t current as Soludo has concluded sack memo for 84 workers in the establishment. As we were doing that discuss, Head of Service, HoS , Barr Theodore Okwy Igwegbe walked into the arena and it became terrific for workers who welcomed her. The SSG ,Prof Solo Chukwulobelu came in unceremoniously. It appeared none noticed and I couldn’t understand that. For him, it was nothing! He is just simple and unassuming but don’t try his patience. For him, he won’t write the letter, because that was the first thing Soludo muted when he assumed office. How can he still delay the writing when Prof Soludo says write for the final time. National Light Newspapers and Printing Corporation is soon to be buried with that signature. The immediate mourners couldn’t even speak to the State leadership over this, till rumours brought the news to me. I broke the news and the CPS, Christian Aburime clarified.

At the May Day, journalists got into further heated argument, some completely against Prof Soludo’s manner of administration as it were. We talked about his stand and attitude towards journalists, others tongue in cheek from outright condemnation yet feeding us with vital information those who had the view that he hated journalists knew nothing about. With that the discuss dovetailed into areas hitherto avoided.

They said Journalists have no opportunity to be appointed into Boards and Parastatals even when their roles are vital. I couldn’t understand the place of journalists and their crime in his administration.

I am now confused about Prof Soludo, Nwa Mgbafor. His Special Adviser, SPAD on Youth Empowerment, Dr Nelson Omenugha spent time educating me on how good Prof was and still is. Some members of Board appointed by Soludo sat me too explaining how kind Prof was as they celebrated Christmas very well due to his largess. Even, a Commissioner in his appointment told me a lot. But, journalists have continued to be denied this his kindness. What actually is their offense? Why is he different when journalists are involved. Who provoked him?

According to a vetran, Comrade Anthony Chukwuemeka Ugozor, Chairman NUP, Anambra State chapter, journalists supposed to be in the front burner in the Prof Soludo led administration as an academic because the roles of journalists are vital for societal development and growth. And because of the special duties journalists perform, they should be appointed as members of agencies and parastatals of government, if not for anything, as image managers in the Board. If journalists weren’t captured by the Acts establishing these Boards and Parastatals, it should be amended to accommodate them. It’s unfortunate, the reverse is the case”.

At that instance, I heard Prof Soludo was completely in love with journalists as then CBN Governor but when he jumped into politics, he saw the other side of media professionals on realistic analysis of politics and Governance. And since then, he hasn’t forgiven journalists even those who directly had something to do with him during his elections, and others whose part haven’t crossed his. For me, I only met him once in a close range meeting, and that was it. He doesn’t know me and may not have heard about me in the right places before becoming the state Governor. So, I wonder why and what went wrong. I may have written in support or against him as our professional practice demands, but I have nothing personal for or against him. Whatever was or is his problems with any journalist, or journalists shouldn’t have ruined our relationship with him as a Union, even if I am the one who committed the offense or offenses. I got calls and visits when I was elected not to have issues with Prof Soludo, and I was like, did I come to Awka to have issues with people particularly Governors? For now needless mentioning names, but I was ready to mobilize my people in support of the administration in the state. That’s what we did in the last 16 months mobilizing various sectors of the economy’s leadership to support good Governance in Anambra state. Where did we go wrong? What is and what was our offence? We as journalists are watchdog and never lapdog! This is constitutional hence the fourth Estate of the realm.

Some of us blamed the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Paul Nwosu, who was with Peter Obi for 8 years and Willie Obiano for another 8 years in various capacities,making it 17 years now in government appointment for problems of journalists in Anambra State particularly in National Light. They said of the about 20 parastatals in the state government dissolved, National Light , the only Newspaper owed by the state was not dissolved hence the Board has overstayed including the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of National Light Newspapers and Printing Corporation, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, Chinyelugo. They said instead of government dissolving the Board and reconstituting as done to others ,Sir Chuka was allowed to continue to call the shots as MD/CEO because Sir Paul didn’t include National Light or his name on the ones dissolved by government . To me that’s not our headache as a Union even when it’s constitutionally wrong. He has served out his two terms in office and shouldn’t have continued. What’s the Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Prof Sylva Chika Ifemeje stand on this closure of National Light and situation at National Light? What has she suggested to Mr Governor as Prof Soludo wishes to be called? The Legal Advisers too ,what have they said in this issue?

There is nothing one didnt hear about Chuka Nnabuife. Had it been I didn’t know him well, I would have believed everything hook,line and sinker like one person said he knows nothing in print media. I refuted that immediately. I was of the view that he would have resigned or left with other appointees of Obiano. Soludo wouldn’t have thought of making the workers scape goat if his line up and devotee has been assigned to manage the media house. What do you think?

Suddenly, Prof Soludo appeared on the scene, greeted unions at the pavilion but journalists and other unions were waved at because they were at the other side of the Alex Ekwueme Square. But, the unions over there refused to take his waves , journalists were loud in joining others to ask him to come closer to greet them too and he yielded. That was another confusion for me because he vividly knew the people there were journalists. He came face to face with National Light Newspaper staffers about to be sacked. Did he know they were the ones? I doubt! It was alleged he knows no journalist by name outside Soludo TV team. Can this be true?

I searched for the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Head of Service, Barr. Theodore Okwy Igwegbe , Nurses and Midwives state chairman who doubles as Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Chairman, Comrade Edith Onwuka and Anambra State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Chris Ogbonna, among others to sound out their views but the Governor’s speech became unnecessarily lengthy. That even made workers to kick against Match past or so I heard. I went to the digital and brand new Chairman of NLC, Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor KSJI, to sound out his views before I call out Prof Soludo but he was busy trying to ensure everyone ate and before I could say Jack, it was voom.

Were Anambra workers at National Light Newspapers redundant and non-productive? Why the selective punishment? Were they provided with working tools and they failed yet, National Light Newspapers have continued to outsource even printing to Orient Daily ,Fides and Christian Outlook among others? The printing machines there were obsolete. Working condition unbearable, yet they produce regularly, competing favorably offline and online.

Why is Soludo closing an establishment he hasn’t provided working equipment and funding to determine the redundancy theory or the non-productive stance before mulling closure?

I pray the government do the needful by following procedures of laying people off from the civil service and parastatals. The rule says that if you lay off, you still pay entitlements and enrol them into pension services. Were these considered? Laying off and paying entitlements may not be in line with his prudence stance.

With this closure letter if signed by Soludo National Light Newspapers becomes a forgone alternative. Was that really ideal? Are there no longer state Newspapers? Why the haste in shutting it down for an amusement park? Amusement park is good if the compound is the best Soludo has seen and already measured, but Why sacking staff earning their living from the establishment? Can’t they be relocated to other agencies of government? And if you must relive some of them of their jobs with entitlements, there are those who have put in enough years willing to go. Have you interfaced with them to ascertain those willing to leave with their entitlements and those so fresh in service that leaving is like death sentence? Those fresh should be transferred out and absorbed in other offices according to their qualifications. Please do not sack journalists at National Light Newspapers, absorb them into the Ministry of Information as Information Officers. Do same to other workers there depending on their work specifications. Those who wish to go should be settled and enrolled into pension schemes with their effective dates. For closure of the office, I have contrary view, but let me focus on workers for now.

Recall that the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, while speaking to workers, called on them to be more committed in giving their best as he assures of his government continous support

Probably he was right when he said that while the organized labour makes up a small portion of the state workforce; Keke drivers, transporters, hawkers, traders, farmers, artisans, and self-employed individuals are much more in number, and are also workers. But, forgot ,his treatment to those under his direct care determines the care others shall get and his attitude to taxation to them too, justifies that his stand, against public knowledge of his mindset on them.

Though, the Governor acknowledged the contributions from all workers, including public servants, civil servants, and all those employed by different agencies and parastatals, and even thanked them for their support and solidarity, that closure letter for National Light isn’t going down well with workers because after journalists, who knows the next group? Soludo is employing 5,000 teachers , 3,000 or so Health workers, and other professionals but closing a newspaper house ,about sending its workers numbering about 90 to the unemployment market? Is this not hatred for a particular profession?Even if there are other workers in National Light, once a Newspaper organization is mentioned, mindset goes to journalists. That’s the koko of the matter. A governor wants the public to hail him for employing thousands of people from other profession but shutting an organization already existing before he became Governor so that some professionals shall go home jobless. Is it a case of probating and reprobating?

This his Statement below generated uproar: “You should be aware that anything pertaining to workers that this government has not done is currently not financially feasible.”

I applauded Governor Soludo when he said workers due for promotion shall be investigated and duly promoted because I have heard so many lamentations from workers. I didn’t investigate but I confirmed their fears from the masters statement. I however got agitated when be said he was considering review of workers salary, but which must come with reduction of work force by half. I collapsed because I knew where he was driving at. If you scrutinize the employment of 5000 teachers and 3000 or so Health workers , you shudder. The same thing is going on with the 10,000 digital skills for one youth, two skills and other excesses known to the journalists but not in the public knowledge.

Listen to him: ” I made the decision and everybody who has retired under my watch has been paid their gratuity and pensions as and when due.

“Our Government is very transparent. The budget for this year is predicated on IGR of 4 billion naira per month, but we are actually making an average of 2 billion naira per month, operating with an 8 billion naira deficit for the past four months.

“Revenue is not increasing, so one of the pressures I faced when I took office was to review employee salaries and reduce the work force by half. The story wouldn’t be what it is today if I had yielded to it.

“I took into account, the country’s inflationary situation when I made the decision to raise workers’ salaries by ten percent.

“10,000 employees are currently receiving digital skills and it will continue until every Anambra worker is digitally trained,” Governor Soludo pointed out.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chris Aburime , a Pastor just told me “sack was out of Prof Soludo’s dairy for now. That he won’t sack National Light journalists. He stopped at that. Aburime had promised to facilitate the courtesy visit to the Governor and interactive session for tete a tete with journalistsbut it never happened. Over 1 year, it’s yet to be feasible but HoS within weeks already led new leadershipof NLC to the Governor even old leadership. Chris appears humble in style and approach though rugged, he kept assuring journalists that Prof Soludo loves media workers against what’s on ground. Most times, he is combative on even a statement from them, which an eagle eyed journalist brings out the gist. We understood him anyway. He is doing his job.

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment ,Hon Paul Nwosu hasn’t facilitated that either but we have also seen efforts he has put in to bring journalists interface with the Governor but failed. Who is truly sabotaging media space in Anambra? Why shouldn’t journalists tell the Governor to his face their feelings even if he makes mockery of them? For me, I laughed for it’s beyond them. I know a little but time heals. Let’s not talk about late Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Senator Chris Ngige but there was Peter Obi as Governor. There was Willie Obiano as Governor and there would be a mandatory “was” as a prefix to Prof Soludo’s name in next 3 years or 7 years depending. By then, Anambra must have been turned to Dubai-Taiwan models with solution effect in every aspect of our state life, economy and governance, simply because it’s not broken. But, if it’s not broken, why closing National Light Newspapers? What shall be of the workers? Jobless or ?

Cornucopia is a weekly column of Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD.
Odogwu is known Journalist, Editor, Media Consultant, Unionist, and famous Blogger as well as Social Media Entrepreneur, Publisher and Conversationalist @ www.odogwublog.com among others.

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