NUJ - AKS

COMMUNIQUE OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS, AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL ISSUED AT CONGRESS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023, AT THE PRESS CENTRE, UYO.

The following resolutions were reached at Congress.

1) Congress directed all Journalists covering the activities of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, including the Press Corps to withdraw their services with immediate effect over the appointment of a non-journalist as the Press Secretary (Head of Press Corps) by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong. Congress frowned at this development and consequently warned that any defaulting member of the Union shall face severe sanctions.

2. Congress noted the persistent flooding of Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, occasioned by indiscriminate dumping of waste, resulting in a complete blockage of the drain and called on the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, AKSEPWMA, to take immediate action to remediate the situation.

3. Congress also noted that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has shortchanged oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State by not remitting the funds generated from fines from gas flaring in the affected communities to them directly, as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. Congress, therefore, urged NUPRC to henceforth start paying gas flaring fines to the affected communities.

4. Congress called on security agencies to step up their surveillance and come up with measures to arrest the increasing cases of phone theft in Uyo capital city.

5. Congress called on the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Motor Traffic Division of the Nigeria Police and other authorities involved in traffic management to arrest and prosecute motorists who drive against the traffic as the ugly development has often resulted in accidents and injuries.

Comrade Iniobong Ekponta
Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee

Comrade Dianime Uko
Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee

Comrade Emem Okon
Member, Communique Drafting Committee

Comrade Amos Etuk
State Chairman

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary

Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State council directs all journalists to withdraw from covering the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly over appointment of Non-Journalist as Press Secretary to the Speaker.

This was the unanimous resolution of congress.

COMMUNIQUÈ REACHED AT THE STATE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS , AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, INFORMATION DRIVE, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE.

The Congress which had in attendance, Mr. Akan Udofia, CEO of Desicon Engineering Limited as Special Guest resolved on the following:

The State Council submitted collated inputs from Chapels, NAWOJ and Veterans to Comrade Helen Udofa, a member of the NUJ Constitution Review Committee for consideration by the Committee handling the on-going amendment of the Union's Constitution.

Congress commended the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, for his timely support to two ailing members of the Union, and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Congress Commended the Senate of the University of Uyo for the unbundling of the Department of Communication Arts into a Faculty.

Congress condemned the practice by Local Government Chairmen, and heads of parastatals, who engage the services of non-journalists as their media aides, thereby taking over the duties of Information Officers. This is not healthy for the proper management of Government's information.

Congress expressed deep concern over the non- inclusion of a representative of the Media on the Public Procurement Council, as stipulated by the Law and urged the State Government to take steps to address it.

Signed
Comrade John Udofia
Chairman, CDC

Comrade Abigail Isaac
Secretary CDC

Comrade Wilson David
Member CDC

Comrade Amos Etuk
State Chairman, NUJ

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary, NUJ

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL ISSUED AT THE END OF CONGRESS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, UYO.

The Congress, which was well attended by members resolved as follows:

1. Congress called on the State government, to as a matter of urgency, tackle the erosion menace on Ikpa Road and other locations in the State to save lives and property.

2. Congress commended the State Government for taking steps to privatise the Community Goss Machine in Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, AKNC, and the Earthing Work at the operational headquarters of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, Ntak Inyang, to save lives and property.

3. In order to reposition AKNC, publisher of the Pioneer titles and AKBC, Congress urged the State Government to set up and inaugurate respective Boards for the Corporations, and recruit fresh professional hands. These steps, Congress believes, will add value to the Corporations.

4. Congress urged security agencies to step up their surveillance on the Third Ring Road, as criminals now lay ambush to innocent motorists on the road close to Nwaniba, using primitive antics.

5. Congress expressed worry over the increasing number of pot holes in Uyo Metropolis and its environs and called on the relevant Agency of Government to step up its remedial efforts.

6. Congress also called on citizens to be vigilant on the activities of scavengers in their domains, as it has been observed that they go about vandalizing public property at night.

7. Congress adopted the State of the Union address presented by the State Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, on his two years in Office, as the working document of the Union.

8. Congress commended the Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Hon. Monday Uko, who was the Special Guest at Congress, represented by the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his support to the Union, and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN.

9. Similarly, Congress thanked Elder Paul Bassey, for always identifying with the Union and his numerous supports.

Signed:
Comrade AmosEtuk
State Chairman

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary

Comrade Uwem Ekoh
Chairman Communiqué Drafting Committee

Comrade Uduak Akai
Secretary, Communiqué Drafting Committee

Comrade Anthony Maurice
Member Communiqué Drafting Committee

Photos from NUJ Congress yesterday.

Are you even ready for our keep fit Exercise holding on Saturday?

Two years of great leadership. With Comrade Amos Etuk, the Union is stronger.

NUJ Solemn Assembly held today. Photos speak!

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 3RD NUJ MEDIA CONFERENCE IN PORT HARCOURT

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), its affiliates, key media and civil society organisations, at its 3rd National Media Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme ‘The Media, Insecurity and National Unity ‘which took place from June 6 to 8, 2021, adopted the following resolutions as a panacea to the myriad of security, political and ethno religious crises facing the country.

1. Taking into cognisance that the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property of citizens, against the backdrop of prevailing situations that Government is overwhelmed and unable to effectively carry out this onerous responsibility, the conference urges citizens to assist in community mobilisation as a way of addressing insecurity and notes that it will be disastrous to allow citizens to lose confidence in the ability of Government to deal with the situation.

2. The conference also did a retrospect on the role of journalists with regard to their core mandate of informing, educating and holding government and leaders accountable. Conference notes that the media has played an active role in their propagation and proliferation by promoting their different names and titles and serving as a vehicle for their messages.

3. It also notes that more is required of practitioners as watch dogs of the society particularly, at this trying period in which a balanced reportage is more than ever before desired.

4. The Nigeria Union of Journalists takes note of the responsibility of the State to guarantee safety of lives and property , to protect the economy and economic resources areas, critical infrastructure, environment, including forest reserves and national assets.

5. The Government should in enforcing security policies, carry stakeholders at all levels of governance along and ensure good governance.

6. The Media should mediate with its distinct role of being between the governed and the rulers, particularly in situation of existential threats. The Union urges its members to prioritise mediation in the prevailing tension that pervades all geo-political zones and the threats to Nigeria’s unity. 7. The Conference urges media practitioners to exercise caution in their reportage and analysis of unfolding events as well as play the role of a mediator between contending forces and actors. 8. The media should be a partner in de-escalating tension instead of being a party to the conflict.

9. As for the controversy generated by the suspension of the microblogging platform – Twitter, the Union notes the wide spread use of its resourcefulness in promoting dialogue, individual expression and commerce. The Union therefore solicits for caution on all sides.

10. In view of the challenges impacting on press freedom, freedom of expression, the Union will establish a Special Press Freedom Monitoring and Defence Committee.

11. The Conference as part of innovation being injected into the NUJ, an ‘NUJ HALL OF FAME’ was launched. It is in view of this that the Conference resolves that the HALL OF FAME shall be instituted to accord due recognition to deserving public office holders, technocrats, journalists and other deserving members of the society, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. In this wise, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, became the first inductee of the HALL OF FAME.

12. The Conference stresses the need for the adherence to the rights of the people to freely express themselves and comment on the affairs of state and conduct of government as an intrinsic part of democracy that demands accountability of rulers and public officers to the citizenry.

13. Conference notes that a factor we cannot ignore is the fact that Nigeria is a country that fought a civil war. Those who were active players in the war, from children that were born after the war to those who experienced the war, have not gotten a closure.

14. Stakeholders call on the NUJ to lead the national voice for healing the actors of the Nigerian Civil War still alive, to engage and dialogue on issues that bind them as well as commit to ensuring that past events are put behind them and all find closure.

15. Conference also notes that was just a ventilation of bottled-up anger, dissatisfaction and discontent with the elites.

16. Conference notes that more than 60 years after independence, it is still battling with ‘State of Origin’ in our National Data Collection System taking into cognisance that ethnicity and tribe played a negative role in the cause of the RWANDAN war.

17. Participants commend His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for hosting the Conference and thank the people of the State for the warm reception.

Communique Drafting Committee

1. Amos Dunia
2. Ifeyinwa Omowole
3. Emma Couson

Shuaibu Usman Leman
Walin Shadalafiya
National Secretary
June 8th, 2021

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COMRADE AMOS ETUK, CHAIRMAN, NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS, AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL AT THE 2021 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, MAY, 3, 2021.

WE MUST APPROACH PRESS FREEDOM WITH CLEAN HANDS

PROTOCOL

In the 2021 World Freedom of Press Index recently released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Nigeria scored 39.69 points to place 120 out of 180 countries, a drop of 5 points from her 115 out of 180 in 2020. Reporting on the country, the organisation identifies Nigeria as one with a climate of permanent violence. The report further described Nigeria as one of West Africas most dangerous and difficult countries for Journalists.

In October 2020, Onifade Pelumi, a 20 year old intern was detailed by his media organisation to cover the invasion of a warehouse stocked with Covid-19 palliatives. He was arrested by the Police and taken away. A week later the body of young Pelumi was found in the mortuary. Till date, nothing concrete has been done to resolve this murder.

Two Journalists, Precious Owolabi and Alex Ogbu, were killed by live rounds in July 2019 and January 2020, respectively, when reporting demonstrations in Abuja. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Our own investigative Journalist Ibanga Isine, moved away from his home after threats over his work became intolerable. He is the Editor of The Next Edition, one of the country's leading investigative news websites. Several of his sources have died since he began his investigations, the final of which was published on 23 January.

Lawal Abdullahi Izala, Babajaje Abu, and Hamza Abubakar were arrested in April 2020 by Katsina State Police for abusing President Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari respectively in a viral social media video.

Additionally, in April 2020, a Court in Osogbo, Osun State detained Akinloye Saheed for a Facebook post in which he said that the State Government smuggled COVID-19 patients from outside the State to demand funds from the federal government.

Nigerian journalists, are grappling with the onerous provisions of the Cybercrime Act 2015, under which several Journalists have been prosecuted using the provisions of Section 24 of the Act that penalizes cyberstalking or messages that are false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety to another.
It is against this background of increasing difficulties confronting our profession that we today celebrate yet another World Press Freedom Day, with the theme Information as a Public Good.

As we explore this theme today, we must remind each other that press freedom is a significant concern in Nigeria, since Section 39 of the Constitution states that it comes within the category of human rights codified in Chapter IV of the Constitution. The implication is that press freedom is an inalienable privilege that no Government should derogate from or restrict. We have been given a mandate that we must carry through with courage and honour.

As Journalists, we must realise that our work carries enormous weight. We are national opinion moulders and agenda setters. These are responsibilities that we cannot toy with. The nation is currently experiencing a plethora of challenges; we are in a nation in an undeclared war and this situation tasks our patriotism and professionalism. If information must be for public good, then we must utilise our strength to douse growing tension in our land. We must use the instrumentality of Journalism to promote national unity and cohesion in the face of growing spate of hate speech and incendiary discourse pervading our national space.

As we navigate the unfortunate situation of insecurity, worsening economic and social conditions, we must remain courageous to report, factually and truthfully. We must resist the temptation to become part of the malaise by becoming overtly emotional and pandering to our own primordial sentiments and emotions in our reports. Our Journalism must be for public good; a public good to inform, educate and yes, entertain in these very trying times. We must rekindle hope in our country's ability to rise above the current dwindling situation we are facing and point the direction to progress in a nation desperately in need of patriotic leadership and citizenship.

In the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, we shall continue to operate in decency and contribute to the peace and growth of our State. We shall not in doing this abdicate our responsibilities to hold to accountability those entrusted with leadership. In doing this, however, it must be within the dictates of our professional ethos, and the high ethical standards we have already set as a Council. We shall continue to explore ways and means to train and retrain our members to make them more competitive in a profession that has become increasingly more robust and dynamic.

The 2023 general election is around the corner. Political intrigues and media brinkmanship have already prematurely commenced. We shall in the weeks ahead begin to plan for a workshop to train and remind our members of aspects of political reporting with a view to producing reporters that are sensitive to reports that tend to defame; reports laced with inciting, insulting and debasing languages.

We shall be seeking the support and sponsorship for this workshop from our friends and stakeholders in the political process. The training, we hope, shall set the early tone to the type of political discourse we expect, to ensure that our State remains peaceful and stable.

We shall continue to partner the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure that our State is properly, adequately, and positively reported. As major stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom Project, we shall take serious and sensitive approach to reporting violence, insecurity, and ethnic issues, with a view to build and not rip down.

We commend His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his effort at peace building and development of the State. We are conscious of His Excellencys determination to industrialise the State and the recent positive steps taken in this regard, which include major achievements towards the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport and the Fertiliser Manufacturing Plant in partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco. The Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ shall continue to support the Governor in ensuring that the current media and State Government relation remains cordial and productive. We sincerely thank the Governor for his personal interest in the affairs of the NUJ and pledge to always support the Government in delivering the benefits of governance to our people.

It is our desire to thank the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, MFR, himself a journalist of international repute for ever being there, supporting and encouraging us in so many ways.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists in the South South remains the luckiest of all the regions with the presence of Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen as our Grand Patron. He is a pillar of support for all the Councils in the region and most especially to the Akwa Ibom State Council. His doors are always open for us to rush in, seek and obtain vital inspiration and advice. We thank you for your support.

To our energetic Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, ours is a basket of thanks for what you are doing for our Union, the State Information Chapel in the Ministry and the State Council. We solemnly promise to continue to partner you in the development-centred reportage of Government. Since you came on board, you have scored so many firsts. The first Commissioner for Information and Strategy to attend our Congresses regularly, the first Commissioner in that Ministry to sit through all our activities of our Press Week last year and the first Commissioner to sit and march with the NUJ over the weekend during the International Workers Day Celebration. That beautiful first position we took as the best Union during the march past is historic being the first ever in the history of our great Union . Thank you for always being there when we call.

We appreciate the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor for his support and encouragement.

Let me specially thank the Chairman of today's occasion, Hon. Harrison Ekpo, State Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State , Chapter for being there for us. Your love and support to NUJ remains cherished. It will never be taken for granted.

Our Guest Lecturer, Dr. Herbert Batta, we look forward to your indepth analysis of this year's theme. Thank you for accepting to be with us

We thank all our Guests, friends and stakeholders, who have in one way or the other contributed to the success of our journey so far in NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council.

I want to specially appreciate the Committee setup by the State Council led by Comrade Idongesit Ashameri for giving us a very successful and beautiful season of two great events the Workers Day and today's events. We sincerely appreciate your handwork and the success story of this day.

To my amazing members of the State Working Committee and the State Executive Council, I cannot thank you enough for all your sacrifices. Our members have been most supportive and active. Together, we shall build the Journalism profession in Nigeria. We are committed to unapologetically defend the freedom of press and that of our fundamental right to disseminate information through the quality of our reports and the professionalism we bring to bear in our reportage.

I wish us a successful Press Freedom Day. Go as worthy ambassadors of our great profession, realising that as trained Journalists, you are the true vaccine against hate speech, falsehood, reckless speculations, irresponsible, sensational and tactless media terrorism that have become the order of the day. We must seek this freedom with clean hands.

God bless you all.

Our 2021 World Press Freedom Day Holds Tomorrow. Don't miss out.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL AT THE END OF CONGRESS HELD ON FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021, AT THE PRESS CENTRE, INFORMATION DRIVE, UYO

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council at its April, 2021, Congress, attended by 285 members deliberated on many issues affecting the Union, the profession and the State and resolved as follows:

1) That the ongoing effort by the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay the entitlements of retired primary school teachers and families of deceased teachers since 1991, is a welcome development and Congress commends the government for the initiative.

2) Similarly, Congress commended Akwa Ibom State Government for the ongoing recruitment of teachers into primary and secondary schools, but noted that 1000 teachers for each school system is like a drop in the ocean when placed side by side with the teacher to students ratio, particularly in the rural areas and appealed to the State Government to increase the number.

3) In a related development, Congress urged the State Government to declare a State of Emergency for recruitment into Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, and Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, AKNC, publisher of the Pioneer Newspaper, to grow the service, following multiple retirements of staff over the years and deaths.

4) While Congress gave the State Government a pat on the back in its efforts to tackle insecurity in the State, it, however, appealed to the State Government and security agencies to step up their game as the attacks have assumed a new dimension. Congress suggested to the State Government to consider setting up a local security network and explore other initiatives in communities to compliment the efforts of the security agencies.

5) That ahead of the 2023 general elections, Congress frowned at the undue heating up of the polity by politicians and urged them to desist from causing disaffection among journalists for selfish interests, noting that journalism is a profession and not a political chess board.

6) Furthermore, and in line with the earlier resolution of the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Uyo, few years ago, which banned the formation of splinter groups, spurious organisations and beat associations, Congress gave a final warning to members on the issue, resolving that the full weight of sanction(s) will be enforced on any erring journalist(s) henceforth, without any option of apology. This is to protect the integrity, sanctity and strength of the profession. However, journalists who were recently linked with a splinter group in the State were pardoned and their apologies accepted.

7) In addition, Congress urged the State Government to look into the issues in Peacock Paints Company Ltd., which is at a comatose stage now with non - payment of staff salaries for many months, inspite of the huge capital government committed into the revitalisation of the company few years ago.

8. In line with NEC resolutions, Congress set up a three man committee to set a template for the implementation of a Cooperative Society for the State Council.

SIGNED:
Comrade Akan Esinwang
Chairman, CDC.

Comrade Dada Bernard
Secretary, CDC.

Comrade Mary Ekere
Member, CDC.

Comrade Amos Etuk
State Chairman

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary.

March 31, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

ATTACKS ON SECURITY PERSONNEL IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IS RETROGRESSIVE, BARBARIC AND SENSELESS

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council is worried by the spate of attacks on security personnel in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

The attacks are retrogressive, barbaric, senseless and alien to the peaceful disposition of Akwa Ibom State.

The Union condemns the attacks without any reservation and reinforces the position adopted at the State Congress held on Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Press Centre, Uyo.

We offer our sincere sympathy to the families of the security personnel who lost their loved ones.

To the injured, the Union prays for their quick recovery and urges the high command of all the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in their quest to fish out the perpetrators of the utterly odious crimes.

We encourage the State Government not to relent in its high level collaboration with security agencies in order to put out the fire on time.

Signed

Comrade Amos Etuk
State Chairman

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary