By NewsBits
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council has strongly condemned the increasing harassment of journalists by security operatives, especially the police, describing it as sad and dangerous.
The union has, therefore, advised the police authorities in the state to educate their personnel on the workings of journalists and other media practitioners, which remain for the betterment of the society.
This was contained in a 7-point communique issued at the end of it’s June Congress held Thursday, in Enugu. The communique was signed by Comrade Stanley Nwanosike- (Correspondent Chapel), Comrade Christian Nwangene (-FRCN Chapel), Comrade Ogochukwu Chukwudike (State Information Chapel) and Dame Ifeoma Amuta (Council Secretary).
The Union also bemoaned the rising cases of insecurity in some parts of Enugu State, appealing to the state government and security agencies in the state to tackle the challenge. Full statement:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF the NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) Enugu State Council Congress held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the NUJ Press Centre.
After extensive deliberation on matters that affect the union, members and the society,the Congress came with the following resolutions:
1.The Council frowns at the spate of shutting out members (journalists) at major events in the state, noting that every journalist is qualified to cover any public event or function anywhere and anytime in the state especially when representing his/her medium. According to the council, no member should under any circumstance, be barred from effectively carrying out their constitutional function of holding government and its officials accountable to Nigerians.
2. The Council also condemned the harassment of its members that went to cover public event by the police and calls on the authorities of the Nigeria Police in the state to educate their personnel on the workings of journalists, which remain for the betterment of the society. The congress advises members of executive of the Council to have an interface with the Commissioner of Police and the state Police Management Team to bring about a cordial working relationship between journalists and personnel of the Nigeria Police.
3. The Council also urged the Commissioner of Police and the state Police Management Team to redouble its efforts in tackling activities of hoodlums within Enugu metropolis. It decries a situation where these criminals carry out their nefarious activities at broad daylight against innocent and unsuspecting members of the public including journalists.
4. The Council equally condemns increased insecurity in the state especially along Opi-Nsukka Road, while calling on the state government and relevant security agencies to redouble efforts in ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens.
5. The Congress in session enjoins State executive of the Council and influential members of the union to continue to push its members who are usually competent and qualified to occupy public offices in the new political dispensation to do so. It notes that other unions and associations are already going ahead with their positioning, repositioning, and lobbying especially for those offices related to their professions.
6. The Council calls on Chapels that are due to conduct elections to produce new executive members to do so before a month to the expiration of their tenure in order to ensure smooth and hitch-free transition.
7. The Council also appeals to its members to use their platforms (particularly the online media) to circulate widely its communiques and resolutions reached at the end of it’s congresses.
