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NEC Approves Umuahia For NUJ 7th National Delegates’ Confab
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has approved October 4, 2021 for its 7th Triennial National Delegates Congress slated for Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
It has also set up an 8-member Electoral Committee with National Officer and Deputy Editor of News Express, Garba Muhammad, as chairman.
Muhammad also chaired the recent 3rd National Conference of the NUJ in Port Harcourt, last June.
Abia State Council Chairman of NUJ, Victor Ndukwe, would serve as secretary of the committee.
Other members of the committee include, NAWOJ National President, Ladi Bala; FCT Council Chairman, Ogbeche Emmanuel; Cross River Council Chairman, Udu Victor; Sokoto State Council Chairman, Isa A. Shuni; Secretary, Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite; and Secretary, Borno State Council, Mohammed Ibrahim.
The composition of the electoral committee was one of the highlights of a communique signed by Secretary, Zone A, Abdullahi Isma Yamadi; Chairman, Ondo Council, Adetona Aderoboye; and Secretary, Abia Council, Adaeze Ralph Igbokwe; and NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman Usman, after the union’s NEC meeting in Abuja, last Saturday.
The communique stated that sportswriters who dissociated selves from the NUJ should henceforth cease to enjoy patronage of the union, including using the facilities of NUJ anywhere in the country.
It would be recalled that the NUJ 6th Triennial Delegates’ Conference was held in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, on October 4-5, 2018.
The current Central Working Committee (CWC) was sworn in on October 5, 2018 for a tenure which will come to an end on October 5 this year.
The CWC comprises the National President, Deputy President, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, Zonal Vice President and Zonal Secretaries of NUJ.
Appointed positions in the CWC include the National Secretary, the two Assistant National Secretaries and other national officers, while the national chairmen of the two NUJ affiliates (SWAN and NAWOJ) elected from their associations membership are also automatic members of the CWC.
NEC in its bid to resolve the factionalisation of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) resolved that “only sportswriters who pledge allegiance to the State Councils of the NUJ at the State levels would henceforth be recognised.”
As safety and security of journalists have become priority issues, NEC expressed worry over the high rate of intimidation and attacks on journalists in the country by both agents of the state and freelance actors.
It thus charged the Federal Government to urgently wade in and avert its escalation.
NEC also appealed to the Federal Government to dialogue with resident doctors to end the ongoing industrial action which has already subjected many Nigerians to untold hardship.
It equally called on the Federal Government to return to the negotiation table with ASUU to prevent an impending strike.
According to the communiqué, “NEC supports the position of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria – BON calling for a complete review of the digitisation process specifically in the area of legal framework. It notes that the only document available remains the Government White paper of 2012 which does not capture contemporary technological development and it is deficient in addressing decade long issues that have emerged since its issuance.
“NEC notes with concern the high rate of insecurity across the country and calls on the Federal Government to overhaul the security apparatus with a view to combatting incessant killings, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities ravaging the country. Efforts should also be intensified to effect the release of 136 school pupils still in the kidnappers custody in Niger State without further delay.
“More importantly NEC encourages the Federal Government to make public the list of those sponsoring criminality in the country as earlier promised by the Attorney General of the Federation.
“As a further step towards improving the security situation in the Country, NEC adds its voice to calls that State Governments should be allowed to establish state police to complement the existing security architecture.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to summon an urgent conference of stakeholders to map out strategies to avert the impending food crisis in the country, as a result of insecurity.
“The poor state of Federal Roads across the country is affecting the economy and wellbeing of Nigeria, and NEC after reviewing the situation, calls on the Federal Government to prioritise the construction of additional rail lines and rehabilitation of more roads for effective transportation.
“NEC expresses regret that more state governments are now unable to pay salaries of workers as and when due, including pensions and gratuities.”
The full text of the communiqué read, “Communioue issued at the end of the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) held at the NUJ Press Centre, Utako, Abuja, August 7, 2021.
“The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists held its meeting in Abuja with all the National Officers as well as Chairmen and Secretaries of State Councils in attendance, and came up with the following resolutions:
“NEC supports the position of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria – BON calling for a complete review of the digitisation process specifically in the area of legal framework. It notes that the only document available remains the Government White paper of 2012 which does not capture contemporary technological development and it is deficient in addressing decade long issues that have emerged since its issuance.
“NEC notes with concern the high rate of insecurity across the country and calls on the Federal Government to overhaul the security apparatus with a view to combatting incessant killings, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities ravaging the country.
“Efforts should also be intensified to effect the release of 136 school pupils still in the kidnappers custody in Niger State without further delay. More importantly NEC encourages the Federal Government to make public the list of those sponsoring criminality in the country as earlier promised by the Attorney General of the Federation.
“As a further step towards improving the security situation in the Country, State Governments should be allowed to establish state police to complement the existing security architecture.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to summon an urgent conference of stakeholders to map out strategies to avert the impending food crisis in the country, as a result of insecurity.
“The poor state of Federal Roads across the country is affecting the economy and wellbeing of Nigeria, and NEC after reviewing the situation, calls on the Federal Government to prioritise the construction of additional rail lines and rehabilitation of more roads for effective transportation.
“NEC expresses regret that more state Governments are now unable to pay salaries of workers as and when due, including pensions and gratuities. NEC calls for urgent measures to check this dangerous trend in addition to creating more employment opportunities for the teeming youth to guard against restiveness.
“NEC believes that all State Governments should be put to task in terms of payment of the national minimum wage, while efforts should be intensified towards the implementation of new salary structure for media workers in Nigeria.
“Safety and security of journalists have become priority issues and NEC expresses worry over the high rate of intimidation and attacks on Journalists in the country by both Agents of the State and Freelance Actors. It thus charges the Federal Government to urgently wade in and avert its escalation.
“NEC appeals to the Federal Government to dialogue with Resident doctors to end the ongoing industrial action which has already subjected many Nigerians to untold hardship. The FG should also return to the negotiation table with ASUU to prevent an impending strike.
“NEC in session calls on State Governments to prioritise on projects that have direct relevance to the yearnings and aspirations of their people, rather than embarking on White Elephant projects.
“That Sportswriters who dissociate selves from the NUJ should henceforth cease to enjoy patronage of the Union including using the facilities of NUJ anywhere in the country. Only sportswriters who pledge allegiance to the State Councils of the NUJ at the State levels would henceforth be recognised.
“NEC in session has approved the 4th of October 2021 for its 7th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference slated for Umuahia, Abia State, and set up an Electoral Committee with National Officer, Garba Muhammad as Chairman”, it added.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
