Communique Issued at the end of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council Monthly Congress, held at the NUJ Press Centre
After deliberating on issues of mutual importance for the peace, security and growth of the state, as well as the welfare of Journalists practicing in the state, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, at the end of its Monthly Congress, arrived at the following resolutions:
1. That the Congress commends the state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for listening to the appeals by various strata of Abians for the relaxation of the curfew imposed on some sections of the state due to the security challenge in the state, as it was beginning to take its toll on the economic adventures and social life of many Abians.
2. That Congress is happy that the Governor relaxed the curfew time from 10 pm to 6 am daily in Aba and Umuahia as well as 8pm to 6am in other affected areas, instead of the former regime of 8pm to 6am and 6pm to 6am daily.
3. That Congress appeals to Abians and residents of the state to continue to abide by the curfew regulations until the state overcomes the current security challenges that warranted the imposition of the curfew.
4. That Congress calls on the state government to interface with security agencies with a view to getting their Commanders/supervisors to prevail on the field personnel to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties by obeying the rules of engagement while enforcing the curfew and other security regulations in the state as there are several complaints of abuses/violations of the civilian population, particularly innocent youths, some of whom have been killed in cold blood or subjected to indiscriminate arrests and other forms of inhuman treatment or extortion.
5. That Congress advises our youths to be wary of their movements in this perilous times and to desist from indecent dressing.
6. That Congress commends the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for appointing one of our prominent members who is also the State Director of Information, Deacon Uzoma Livingstone Isiakpu, as a Permanent Secretary, in the State Civil Service and appealed for more of such appointments from among the NUJ members.
7. That Congress congratulates Deacon Uzoma Livingstone Isiakpu on his elevation to the apogee of his career as a Permanent Secretary, and enjoins him to sustain the virtues that earned him the coveted position and be a good ambassador of the Council and Union.
8. That Congress requests the Governor to do his utmost best to bring about the establishment and operationalization of the proposed Ebeuagu security outfit as part of his pragmatic steps to improving security in the state.
9. That Congress commends the Governor for convening the Abia Security Summit 2021 which saw the mass assemblage of security experts of Abia origin, irrespective of political leanings, as a further means of finding enduring solutions to the security challenges facing the state.
10. That Congress commends participants of the Security Summit for their zeal and patriotism and for coming up with far-reaching recommendations. Congress therefore urges government to ensure proper implementation of the Security Summit recommendations to further enhance peace and security of lives and property in the state.
11. That Congress is happy with the tempo of infrastructural renewal in the state by government as exemplified by the inauguration of newly constructed and rehabilitated roads in Aba and urges government to continue to identify areas with severe transportation/ communications challenges and attend to such problems to give the people in those areas a sense of belonging.
12. That Congress enjoined members to maintain high sense of responsibility and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, especially in this period of insecurity and to use their profession to unite the country through the way they handle reports that would escalate the already precarious security situation both in the state and the country at large.
E-Signed:
Communiqué Drafting Committee:
1. Chidi Onuoha ( Pacesetter FM)
2. Nkechi Nnaemeka Isaac (BCA Chapel)
Comrade Adaeze Ralph Igbokwe (Secretary)
Comrade Victor Ndukwe (Chairman).
