NUJ Urges INEC to Fix Date for Anambra South Senatorial Re-run

By Praise Chinecherem

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council has called on the National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce date for conduct of Anambra South Senatorial election for replacement of former senator representing the zone, late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.

The Council which made the call at the end of the March 2025 Congress presided over by the Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka, requested the electoral umpire to stop denying the constituents of the senatorial zone their rights and privileges since the demise of their Senator.

“Congress therefore asked INEC to announce a date to conduct the Anambra South Senatorial election for a replacement for the former senator representing the zone, late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah,” it added.

The Council further called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to re-establish a newspaper organization to replace the defunct National Light Newspapers and employ at least 100 journalists of different cadre to start up a new digital newspaper industry with prospects in the State.

It regretted that no journalist has been employed in the last three years of Soludo’s administration, noting that journalists and Mass Communication students on industrial attachment were left behind in honing their trade as well as creating a big vacuum in the profession.

Appreciating the Governor for clearing a good number of pension and gratiuities owed workers since he came on board, the Council appealed to him to consider the plight of workers of the defunct National Light Newspaper that were owed six years leave allowance as a mark of leave no one behind mantra of APGA.

The Council also appealed to the State Government to as a matter of urgency construct a pedestrian bridge at Regina Ceali junction Awka to avert accidents at that junction and ease the stress pedestrians go through while trying to cross the road.

The communique partly read, “Congress lauded the partnership the union enjoyed with the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Anambra State command, Sector Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander leading to a well organized training workshop organized for Anambra journalists on safety.

“The Congress emphasized that the training would have a profound impact on media practitioners in the state and, by extension, the general public through enhanced reportage.

“The Congress commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s developmental milestones in the state, appealing to him not to relent in turning the state around to be a destination for the world.

“The Congress also commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on his fight on crime and criminality in the state and urged him not to relent until normalcy returns to Anambra State, even as the Congress lauded Mr Governor for his 3 years anniversary in office where he and his team have committed to human capacity building and prosperous state.

“Congress commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for gradually but deliberately and strategically opening up all corners of the state with construction of massive hundreds of Kilometers of roads for strategic connectivity and economic growth of Anambra State.

“Congress urged the Governor to open up Mgbakwu Polytechnic through Ezu Bridge through Ebenebe road to connect people from Awka North 2 easily to Achalla, the headquarters without going through Awka. Congress advised that the link road between Ifite Awka to Isu Anaocha be connected to save the traffic at rush hours at Goodwill junction Okpuno.

“The Congress urged Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as a lover of human capital development and in the spirit of one Anambra, one people, one agenda to re-establish a newspaper organization to replace the defunct National Light Newspapers and employ at least 100 journalists of different cadre to start up a new digital newspaper industry with prospects in Anambra State,

“Congress frowns at the overzealous acts of some members of the Agunechemba security outfit and urged the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo led administration to ensure human rights are not infringed on as the security outfit carries out it’s duties.

“In the spirit of International Women’s Day celebration, Congress commended Nigeria Association of women Journalists, Anambra State chapter led by Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika as Chairperson for projecting Anambra women achievers but advised women to be intentional and deliberate in uplifting other women and girls at every opportunity to ensure none is left behind.

“Congress recognized the unwavering and unprecedented support and solidarity from the wife of the Anambra State Governor and Founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo to her husband’s efforts in turning Anambra to a healthy, lovable, liveable and prosperous state with her nutrition, hygiene, mental health care, reproductive health, physical fitness and emergency basic life support unprecedented successes in the last three years.

“Congress urged her to continue to empower Anambra women, girls, children and the weak with her healthy living activities particularly the healthy living with Nonye Soludo free cervical cancer screening treatment, free cleft lips and palates surgeries, Statewide free Rotavirus, Measles and Polio vaccination, Inauguration of 800 Healthy Living clubs in primary and secondary schools, and free distribution of 3.8 Million insecticide treated nets, among others.

“Congress appreciated Hon Afam Ogene, member representing Ogbaru federal constituency for the solidarity he showed the union immediately after our election by hosting the Congress to a funfare in celebration of a hitch free election and as a mark of his continuous identifying with his professional members.

“Congress announced that the 2025 press week of the NUJ shall be in August against the November usual date sequel to the 2025 Governorship election in Anambra billed for November,2025.

“Congress commended the impressive all encompassing development focused driven leadership, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu is implementing at the university currently and urged him not to relent for the good of students and staff of the university, the state and the nation.”