By Praise Chinecherem
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council has hailed the appointment of Prof Joseph Ikechebelu as the Acting Vice-Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
The Council, in its communique after June congress and signed by Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka and Secretary, Comrade Aloysius Ofodile also applauded his pro-students and workers policy, being adopted as his vision for the university.
Assuring him of its support, the body however urged him to nip in the bud all avenues of extortion from students.
“Congress therefore congratulated him on the appointment, urging all those around him to support him to succeed,” it appealed.
The Council further frowned at continued show of shame of certain individuals parading themselves as journalists at events in the state.
It urged the public to assist NUJ by ignoring such unknown entities and if possible, order for their arrests, for their true identities to be unmasked.
The Council insisted that known members of the journalism profession known as journalists would not harass people at events for money or food, no matter the level of deprivation or hunger, bearing in mind the nobility of the profession.
It reminded those qualified to practice Journalism in the State to identify with the union and be in good financial standing to avoid embarrassing situations in months to come.
It warned individuals setting up media organizations to hire only certified members, regretting that non-certified members have constituted nuisance in the field of practice.
The Congress further appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for absorbing National Light Newspapers workers to various ministries and agencies of government before shutting down the organization.
It however reiterated its appeal to the Governor to as a matter of good governance and dividends of democracy to graduates of Journalism and Media related courses, set in motion processes to establish a brand new digital National Light Newspapers that would meet the 21st century demands of offering employment and returns on investment in services delivery and ameliorate running cost.
The communique drafted by Chibuzo Obidike, Emma Elekwa, Val Obiefuna and Lawrence Nwimo further reads, “Congress is excited on the processes that have been put in place for immediate discourses and plans for a democratic set up at the local government areas across 21 local government areas in Anambra State.
“Congress notes with nostalgia the sacrifices and selfless disposition of a born philanthropist, Mr Godwin Ezeemo of Umuchu, Aguata local government area of Anambra State for building the unique Godwin Ezeemo International Press center, NUJ Secretariat Complex Awka for journalists and pray God to remember him specially on all fronts.
“Congress notes its desire to institute “Godwin Ezeemo Day” every November to honour his benevolence to the union but regretted he hasn’t shown approval to that effect.
“Congress frowns at the unwarranted attacks on innocent citizens by non state actors as well as rising violent crimes in the state and appealed to the state security agencies to rise to the occasion to minimize incessant loss of lives and property in the state.
“Congress while commending Governor Soludo of Anambra State on improved roads infrastructure, appealed him to look into strategic roads as well as do a palliative on the failed ones.
“Congress requests communities in the flood-prone areas to strictly adhere to early warnings from NIMET and other agencies about the impending flood and urge Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to be at alert to save lives in case of eventuality.”
