By Peoples’ Guide Reporters
Ebonyi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has lauded the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on his interventions in the State, including the ongoing renovation of the union secretariat.
The commendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the State NUJ Council Congress held in Abakaliki. The Union adopted the welfare scheme for it’s members and also expressed worry over the activities of some revenue collectors and house agents in the State.
Details of the communiqué reads;
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS OF EBONYI STATE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) HELD AT DR. SAM EGWU PRESS CENTRE, DEMOCRACY ESTATE ABAKALIKI, ON 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2025.
The well attended Congress presided over by the Council Chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor after fruitful deliberations resolved as follows.
1. Congress commended the Leaders of zone C (South-East zone) of NUJ for finding a member of the Council, Comrade Sir Emmanuel Irem, worthy to occupy an exalted position of a Zonal Secretary. This followed the formal presentation of Comrade Irem to the Congress by the Council Chairman, Comrade Nwafor who described his election as a reflection of his years of steadfastness and contributions to the growth of the Union.
2. Congress also adopted a resolution to commence the implementation of a new welfare scheme for members following the presentation of a report by a Committee set up by the Council to come up with a procedure for welfare contributions and implementation for members.
3. Congress resolved that members should take the issue of check off dues very seriously as they have become sine qua none for according necessary rights and privileges to members. Members whose check off dues are being deducted by their employers and wrongly paid to other Unions were asked to liaise with the Council for rectification.
4. Congress received the news of the ongoing renovation of NUJ Secretariat by the Ebonyi State government with a thunderous ovation and commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for taking such bold step after so many years of appeal, requests to past administrations to assist the Council renovate the building due to its deplorable condition.Congress notes that this kind gesture by Governor Nwifuru has further demonstrated his love for the Media as well as his avowed commitment to partner Journalists in the development of the state. Congress assured the Governor of their continual support to his administration especially in the area of disseminating information on impactful implementation of his People’s Charter of Needs mantra.
5. The Congress resolved that 2025 NUJ Press Week will be held not later than October, 2025. Consequently, the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Nwafor inaugurated a 9-man Central Planning Committee headed by Comrade Samuel Okpor of NTA Chapel and 5-man Award Screening Committee chaired by Comrade Felix Uka of Correspondents’ Chapel with a charge to organize a colourful Press Week for the Council.
6. Congress commended Ebonyi State government for introducing a sweeping Education Reforms which include a ban on graduations for Kindergarten and pupils as well as introduction of new text books to check exploitation of parents, among other timely reforms. Congress urges the state Ministry of Education to strictly monitor adherence to these new reforms by schools across the State.
7. The exploitative activities of Land and House agents in the state also attracted the attention of the Congress with a call on the state government to urgently enact a law to regulate their operations as they have worsened the cost of house rent in the State.
8. The Congress also appealed to the State government to look into the exploitative tendencies of IGR Contractors and their agents especially those handling Fire Service and Environmental Sanitation taxes as well as Tenement and Property Rate. Congress expressed worry that these Contractors and their agents are exploiting the residents by taxing them above what’s contained in the State revenue schedule. Most worrisome is a situation where the Contractors give conflicting demand notices to residents needs to be urgently addressed as it’s generating a serious confusion.
9. Congress further observed that not minding the harsh economic situation in the country, it has become common for residents of the state to be dragged to court by the IGR Contractors over inability to pay such imposed arbitrary taxes while others are harassed on a daily basis with Pre Court Action Notices posted on their gates and doors and sometimes, sealing off or confiscating their properties. Congress views this ugly trend to be in sharp contrast with the goals of the Peoples Charter of needs Agenda and calls on Governor Nwifuru to urgently intervene.
Signed:
Comrade Samson Nwafor
Chairman,NUJ, Ebonyi State Council
Comrade Chinaza Peculiar John
Secretary, NUJ, Ebonyi State Council.
