By Mercy Onyenweli
The State Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council has called on Politicians or Governorship Aspirants who needs wider coverage of their press briefings or Press Conferences to always engage the union leadership as Situation room has been created for any coverage ahead of 2024 Governorship election.
This was disclosed in a Communique issued after an emergency SEC meeting held at the Union Secretariat in Benin City.
The Communique condemned the habit of some saboteur Journalists who blackmail the Chairman , Comrade Festus Alenkhe and the union as working for a particular Aspirant in other to decieve the unsuspecting Politicians and take them out of the Secretariat for caricature coverage.
It further noted that NUJ is a non partisan institution that provides a level playing ground for all Politicians and every Citizens of Nigeria to have access to professional media coverages.
According to the Communique, Politicians and Aspirants should be free to associate with the Union as doors are opened for all to let Edo People know what they have for them.
It further issued a strong warning to such Journalists to desist from such actions as anybody caught will be made to face the disciplinary committee and sanctions as specified by the Constitution of Nigeria Union of Journalists will also be melted out respectively.
SEC further approve the hosting of the immediate past President of World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele to hold this Thursday, 12th of October, 2023.
Part of the Communique reads
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF SEC MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 10TH OCTOBER, 2023.
The State Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo state council rose from an emergency meeting presided over by the Edo State chairman of NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe to address some critical matters in the union.
1. SEC unanimously condemned in strong terms the attitude of some journalists in Edo State who have formed the habit of diverting press conferences scheduled to hold at the press centre to another location.
It therefore warned those in the habit of such act to desist as appropriate sanctions in line with the union’s constitution awaits any journalist who chose to remain deviant.
2. SEC however encouraged politicians irrespective of their political party to come to the press center for their press briefing/conference, and also advised them to beware of unscrupulous elements disguising as Journalists who usually hang around the press center in Benin city.
3. SEC agreed to hold a Special Reception for the immediate past president of the World Medical Association Dr. Osahon Enabulele at the press center in Benin city on Thursday October 12, 2023 at 4pm.
4. SEC also encouraged Journalists who do not have the necessary Journalism qualifications to take advantage of the ongoing International Institute of Journalism admission to upgrade their academic qualification, as unqualified journalist will no longer be recognized by the union.
5. SEC called on the Federal government to fix all the deplorable Federal roads in Edo State state.
6. SEC commended EDO STATE GOVERNOR, Godwin Obaseki for the approval of payment of gratuity of local government retirees between 1979 and 2008 and urged the governor to sustain the tempo.
7. SEC further appreciated Edo state Governor for the installation of free WiFi/Cyber Optics and the approval of a coaster bus which the union awaits with great anticipation.
8. SEC congratulates the Oba of Benin on the successful conduct of he Emoro (New Yam) festival in Benin kingdom.
9. SEC generally passed a vote of implicit confidence in the Festus Alenkhe leadership of Edo NUJ for providing a purposeful and enduring leadership so far.
It however called on Citizens to report any suspicious activities in their vicinity to the security agents for immediate action.
Communique Drafting Committee
Paul Efe lduozee Chairman
Goodluck Enaini
Jumoke Ariyo secretary
Festus Alenkhe
Chairman Edo NUJ.
10th October, 2023.