The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ)

  • NUJ President urges FG to tackle insecurity

    Mr Chris Isiguzo, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle the challenge of insecurity across the nation.

    He made the call during the National Executive Council Meeting of NUJ in Umuahia, the Abia capital, on Friday.

    Isiguzo said that the Union was so much worried and therefore charged the government to rise to the occasion.

    According to him, the primary responsibility of a responsible government is to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

    “The insurgency in the North-East, the armed banditry in the North-West, the herdsmen menace in the North-Central which is overlapping to South-South and South-East, are not good signs that we are making progress.

    “On our part, we give assurance of our assistance and support at all times,” he said

    He pointed that the most excruciating challenge facing journalism today was the safety and impunity of offence committed against journalists.

    He emphasized that safety also extended to the workers’ welfare, adding that an employee that was not well remunerated would be exposed to all sorts of hazards.

    Isiguzo said that the NUJ had put in place several measures including National Monitoring Network on Safety of Journalists, which efforts were being complemented at the state councils’ level.

    Read Also: PANDEF: cattle colonies will worsen insecurity

    He commended the Abia Government for the efforts deployed so far towards ensuring the safety of the citizenry.

    The NUJ boss, however, called for collaboration between the state and security apparatus, particularly in the area of intelligence information gathering.

    While declaring the conference open, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu thanked newsmen for doing their jobs equitably to safeguard the country.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Ude Okochukwu, urged newsmen to continue to do their best by reporting on those areas that would bring about national unity and integration.

    “Let’s try as much as possible to de-emphasize those areas that will tear us apart as a people,” he implored.

    He said that the state government, on its part, would continue to do its best towards the safety and security of the citizenry.

    The governor noted that the state had a wonderful collaboration with the security agencies.

    According to him, Abia is rated as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr John Emejor, the Chairman of NUJ, Abia council, appealed to the state government to help facilitate the completion of the council’s permanent secretariat.

    He said that Abia was the only council in the country with no befitting secretariat.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was chaired by Mr Raph Egbu, former Secretary to Abia Government.

    (NAN)

  • Sokoto NUJ decries alleged political victimisation of members

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Sokoto State Chapter, has decried alleged political victimisation of its members by the state Media.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Union members unanimously condemned the development in a communique issued at the end of its congress on Saturday in Sokoto.

    The NUJ alleged that the state media organisation was carrying out rampant transfers of its members for voting the candidates of their choice during the 2019 General Elections in the state.

    “We will not under any circumstance, accept such politically motivated victimisation of NUJ members; and it is totally condemnable.

    “As such, we wish to categorically urge the state government to reverse its decision for the overall development of the state,” members said.

    The State NUJ Chairman, Malam Isa Shuni, had during the meeting urged members not to compromise their profession with political activities.

    “Before the general elections, we have issued so many statements for our members to always remain journalists, not political party members.

    “So for those who openly became members of one political party or the other, they should blame themselves for the outcome; the union cannot do anything about such cases.

    “But I want to assure you that the NUJ leadership in Sokoto State is doing everything possible to stop all forms of political victimisation of its members.

    Shuni further appreciated the working journalists in Sokoto for their maturity and show of professionalism, before, during and after the 2019 General Elections in the state.

    He urged members to always remain committed to the ethics of journalism and continue to support and contribute to the success of NUJ in the state.

  • Ugwuanyi tasks political parties on peaceful polls

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, called on the political parties registered to participate in the forthcoming general election to allow peace to reign.

    Ugwuanyi made this call in a meeting during which the political parties signed the 2019 general election peace accord in Enugu.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, said the aim of the meeting was to sign the peace accord to ensure free, fair and credible 2019 general election.

    “We want the forthcoming election to be free, fair, credible and peaceful; that is why all the political parties need to endorse the peace accord.

    First, let us not allow personal interest to deny the state its prevailing peaceful atmosphere and I wish to thank the British High Commissioner for his sponsorship of this peace accord.

    Enugu has been a peaceful state and I do not want the forthcoming election to divide us, so it is our duty to carry this massage to our various localities,’’ she said.,

    In his advice, His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo, said that he had been working with the police and other security agencies to ensure the success of the election.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi swears in two commissioners

    “I want to ensure you all that I, and other royal fathers in the state will continue to work with the security agencies before, during and after the election to ensure peace.

    “It is worthy to know that the people in Enugu State are peace loving citizens,’’ the royal father said.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Enugu chapter, Mr Rex Arum, urged security agencies in the state to raise their strategies of security to ensure a peaceful election.

    He promised that journalists in the state would discharge their duties without compromise and also cooperate with the security agencies to ensure a successful and credible election.

    The two major political parties in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as well as their party chairmen were present.

    The 2019 general elections have been slated to hold on February 16 for Presidential and National Assembly candidates and March 2 for Governorship and House of Assembly flag bearers.

    NAN

     

  • Aruna Quadri dazzles with wife at The Nation

    Aruna Quadri dazzles with wife at The Nation

    It was a show of class and acknowledgement of professional skills as Africa’s best table tennis player – Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri displayed his worth in the ping-pong game as he visited the Lagos office of The Nation. 

    Despite his tight schedule and busy preparation for tournaments, the humble and easy going athlete made the visit in the company of his agile and ever young looking mother, Madam Shakirat Atinuke Quadri and his delectable wife Ganiyat Aruna.

    His wife, Mrs Aruna who was also a National Team start player in the same game was not in anyway short of expectation as both husband and wife displayed unparalleled skills during their exhibition game to the admiration of staff at the game centre.

    Picture Caption: Aruna Quadri(middle) in a group picture with workers at The Nation.

    Aruna’s visit came at a time The Nation is preparing for the 2017 Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Games reported to begin next month(July). Prospective athletes that will represent the media house in the game could not miss the opportunity to play with the international player to beef up their preparations for the annual game. Aruna played not-less than 10 opponents and he won all.

    Recall that Quadri competed for Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals in the latter competition.

    Latest reports also have it that the 2014 ITTF Star Player is among the 24 foreign players listed for the maiden Ultimate Table Tennis League holding in Chennai, India.

  • NUJ demands arrest, prosecution of killers of Bayelsa journalist

    The Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) has urged the Inspector General of Police, Idris Abubakar, to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the killers of Mr Famou  Giobara, a broadcast journalist  in Bayelsa.

    The union made the request in a communiqué issued Sunday at the end of the NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Gombe.

    The communiqué was signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Malam Shuaibu Leman.

    The union is also demanding that the case files of all slain journalists be re-opened, including those of late Dele Giwa and Bagauda Kaltho.

    The communiqué further condemned in strong terms, the withdrawal of a Punch reporter, Olalekan Adedayo, from the State House and urged Presidency to reprimand the Chief Security Officer responsible for the act.

    The union challenged the Federal Government to sanction state governments that failed to properly utilise the first batch of the Paris Club refund.

    The communiqué further commended the anti-corruption war of the present administration and also called on the National Assembly to ensure quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, to stabilise the sector.

    The NUJ commended the Gombe State Government and the State Council of the union for the successful hosting of the NEC meeting.

     

  • We are worse than IDPs- Edo pensioners

    We are worse than IDPs- Edo pensioners

    No fewer than 500 pensioners who retired from the public service of the government of Edo, on Monday took to the street in protest of 42 months pension arrears, saying “our conditions are worse than that of the internally displaced persons.

    They protested round major roads in Benin and ended up at the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), press centre, and said most of them who retired from the service between 2013 and 2016, were yet to be paid their gratuity, and monthly stipends.

    Armed banners with various inscription, such as, “Edo pensioners are more displaced internally than the IDPs” urged the Adams Oshiomhole led government to constitute the state pensions board.

    Spokesman of the group, Mr Gabriel Osemwenkha, said as a result of non-payment of their gratuity and pensions, the pensioners have find it difficult to cope with economy reality.

    He noted that while some have past away as a result, others have find it difficult to send their children to school due to lack of fund.

    “We appeal to our Royal Fathers, Politicians, elder statesmen, mothers, the clergy and all well meaning citizens of the state to prevail on the state Governor to pay arrears of pension entitlements to over one thousand deprived pensioners.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the state government had delayed the payment of arrears of pension ranging from 10 to 42 months as a result of which pensioners have been groaning in penury and pains.

    “Contrary to claims that the government does now owe state retirees, the government has refused to commence payment of pension with effect from the date of retirement as stipulated in civil service pension law,” he stated.

    The Edo NUJ chairman, Mr Roland Osakwe who received the pensioners, urged them to be calm as they go about their protest.