NUJ Declares Ebonyi Safest State For Journalists

Comrade Samson  Nwafor

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Chapter, has said that Ebonyi State “is the safest state” in Nigeria where journalists are not “harassed, intimidated or molested” while carrying out their lawful duties.

Chairman of the Ebonyi State Council of NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor, made this declaration on his Facebook. Comrade Nwafor, who made the declaration in connection with the suspension of the Acting General Manager of Legacy FM, Mr Odoh Godfrey Chikwere, by his employer, noted that this should not be seen as a “threat to journalists” in the state.

He said that under the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, “journalists have been having it good.” Below is Comrade Nwafor ‘s unabridged declaration:

The attention of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has been drawn to the activities of some clout chasing individuals who go about giving false narratives in sections of the Media suggesting that Press freedom is under threat in Ebonyi State following the suspension of the Acting General Manager of Legacy FM, Mr Odoh Godfrey Chikwere by his Employer.

The Council wishes to state as follows:

1. That Journalists working in Ebonyi State are enjoying the best of Press freedom in the Country.
2. That the Council makes bold to state that the Ebonyi State government under Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru respects the independence of the Press and does not interfere in the daily Constitutional duties of Journalists working in the State.
3. That no Journalist to the best of our knowledge has ever been attacked, molested, harassed or threatened in the line of duty in Ebonyi state by the government or its agents under the current administration
4. That the Council categorically affirm that members of NUJ in Ebonyi State and the Government maintain high cordial relations with mutual respect to each other’s constitutional duties.
5. That the suspension of the Acting General Manager of Legacy FM, Mr Odoh Godfrey Chikwere, by his Employer does not in any way constitute a threat to Press Freedom in Ebonyi State.
6. That the Council wishes to caution Media Practitioners to always play by the rules and never allow personal sentiments to undermine the ethical code of Journalism practice.
7. That the Council warns those meddlesome Interlopers making imaginary claims of threats to Press Freedom in Ebonyi State to desist forthwith from meddling into the affairs of Journalists in the state.
8. That the Council also alerts the public to be wary of some individuals who go about claiming to be Journalists while they are not, with the mischievous intent to deceive the unsuspecting members of the Public. It must be noted that there are requirements one must meet to be a Journalist, and anyone claiming to be one without meeting the requirements is fake and should be treated as such.

• E-signed: Comrade Nwafor Samson, Chairman, NUJ, Ebonyi State Council.