The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo has commended the renewed determination by the Nigerian government to end the protracted insecurity challenges ravaging some parts of the country.
Isiguzo commended government for fighting insurgency especially in the North East and banditry, kidnapping in the North West and other acts of criminality that constitute a threat to Nigeria’s development.
He gave the commendation at the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference of the NUJ holding in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, South East Nigeria.
The NUJ equally praised the courage and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces and appeal to Nigerians to unite against terrorism and other acts of insecurity rather than resorting to issues of politics that may not have any positive bearing in the fight against these evils.
He said; “While we appreciate the fact that the government has adopted new approaches that will tackle insecurity in the country, we urge that additional strategies be adopted to address the specific political, economic, and social challenges that encourage these security problems in general and the potential solutions that reduce them as the most reliable way forward.
”Similarly, we encourage the government to listen to suggestions from well meaning citizens who provide credible and workable options in dealing with the devastating security situation and we urge the government to be tolerant in dealing with the anger and frustration of the citizens.”
Isiguzo also said that; “the Triennial Delegates Conference affords the Union an opportunity for self appraisal with the aim of charting a new direction for the collective body of journalists in Nigeria as well as the election of a new set of members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) that will pilot the affairs of the Union for the next three years. I must say that unlike in the past, this year’s electioneering in the NUJ is unique just as it stands out, as most of the positions are returned unopposed owing to political realignment and engineering within the Union. It goes to show a clear direction charted by the outgoing led-CWC headed by my humble self. But for the action of a few, with the mindset that whatever does not go in their favour, must be destroyed, this conference deserves to be accorded a high premium in terms of acceptability and attendance.”
The President also promised that NUJ in the coming administration is going to take a critical look at this monster trying to raise its head before it dents the image of practitioners.
“The good news is the fact that our automated Identity Card is already addressing the issue of quacks and fake Media practitioners. Any individual who wants to belong to the NUJ must adhere to the provisions of the Constitution with respect to membership,” he said.
Isiguzo noted that in the three years of dedicated and results oriented service, the Central Working Committee is proud to reel out records of achievements that include several training and retraining of our members including bilateral foreign programmes.
Specifically, the NUJ is engaging in training and retraining of Journalists with assistance from various development partners to build capacity of journalists to effectively bring to public attention humanitarian situations in the country in a fair manner, honestly, and constructively.
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, three years ago when I assumed office as National President of the NUJ, we were conscious of the fact that members of the Union needed an organisation that works and meets their needs. Three years later, I stand boldly before my colleagues that entrusted their mandate to me, to state that certainly, things have changed significantly for better as the Union has moved from despair to hope, from difficulty in breathing to being alive once again, from a position of low morale of staff and members to reinvigoration and rejuvenation.
”In spite of the feat recorded, we are not unaware of the fact that it is still a journey in progress. It is on this note that I want to make a solemn pledge that members of the Greater Heights Team are committed and more determined than ever to move the Union forward by improving on our modest achievements which we placed before all of you in black and white during our campaigns that took us to most states in the six geo-political zones of the country which further afforded us the opportunity to interact with our members and deduce their needs and direction for the Union,” Isiguzo stated.
He also presented a Score Card of achievements of his administration to enable members to further peruse through with a view to have an appreciable understanding of his efforts in charting a new direction for the Union.
The NUJ President condemned the recent happenings within the Union in which some of its members embarked on a voyage of FORUM SHOPPING from one court to the other to procure all manners of injunctions against the union without first of all attempting to explore internal conflict mechanisms as provided by the constitution, is no longer acceptable.
“The Union is now stating clearly and boldly that our collective interests shall at all times supersede that of any individual, no matter how highly placed. In this way, the established organs of the Union shall henceforth take appropriate action against any erring member without let or hindrance. The posture where some people assume that they are above the rules and procedures of the Union can no longer be tolerated,” he stressed.
Isiguzo equally called on Journalists to be careful not to be tempted into propagating fake news by ensuring proper and adequate checks before stories are written and transmitted for public consumption.
The first National President of the NUJ, Mr. George Izobo urged Journalists to stay united and continue to uphold the integrity of the union.
The Governor of Abia State, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu, appreciated the NUJ for choosing Abia State to hold its National Congress.
He also said that ”the state has benefited a lot of positive reportage from Nigerian journalists.”
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Works, Bob Ogwu urged the NUJ to continue to hold the government accountable for the safety of the people.
On his part, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, appealed to participants to explore the opportunities in the state and patronise made in Nigeria goods manufactured in Abia State.
In a paper titled ” The Media in Times of National Renewal”, the Guest Speaker, Mr Emma Agu, advised Journalists to continue to unite for the good of the union.
The Theme of the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference of the NUJ is ” The Role of The Media In Times of National Renewal.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
