COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MONTHLY CONGRESS OF NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), ABIA STATE COUNCIL HELD AT THE PRESS CENTRE, NO.66 ABA ROAD, UMUAHIA ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2025.
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MONTHLY CONGRESS OF NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), ABIA STATE COUNCIL HELD AT THE PRESS CENTRE, NO.66 ABA ROAD, UMUAHIA ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2025.
The Congress commenced with a thanksgiving Service to commit the Council, its activities in 2025 and all practcising journalists in Abia State to God Almighty. The Thanksgiving Service, conducted by Rev. Blessed Amalabu, effectively ushered in all the journalists and stakeholders in the state into the New Year and prepared them for the task ahead.
After exhaustive deliberations on pressing issues; Congress unanimously came up with the following resolutions:
1. Congress commended the immediate-past National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, for his leadership prowess exemplified by the innovations he brought into the leadership of the Union, thereby restoring its vibrancy; and for successfully conducting the National Triennial Delegates Conference tagged Owerri 2024 which held at the Imo State capital, ending with the emergence of the immediate past Abia State Council Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, as the new National Treasurer.
2. Congress extolled Governor Alex Chioma Otti for his numerous infrastructure development across all facets of the state economy, especially in the area of road infrastructure; and appealed to the state government not to relent in creating more access roads in the rural areas in order to boost economic activities in the hinterlands.
3. The Congress also commended Governor Alex Otti for the upward review of the monthly stipends of traditional rulers across the state and called on the royal fathers as the chief security officers of their communities to work hand-in-hand with the security agencies to rid the rural communities of criminal elements.
4. Considering the harsh economy, Congress reiterated its appeal to the state government to pay pension arrears owed BCA retirees and others, as well as expeditiously resolve the ongoing industrial action by judiciary staff in the State in order not to continuing grounding the courts, and by extension, the administration of justice in the state.
5. Congress thanked Governor Otti for regular payment of full monthly pension to Abia retirees but appealed to the government to pay severance allowance and gratuity to Permanent Secretaries and Directors affected by the compulsory eight-year retirement policy.
6. Congress also harped on the need for the state government to strengthen the Homeland security and other local security outfits in the state, including hunters and personnel of Abia State Community Vigilante to enable them perform optimally and secure surrounding bushes in view of the fast approaching farming season.
7. The Congress commended authorities of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture for coming up with the initiative of introducing the Agribusiness Incubation Centre meant to train farmers on new farming technologies to ensure food security, enhance value addition and boost commercial agriculture.
8. Congress said in view of the food scarcity ravaging the nation, there was urgent need for the state and local governments and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to collaborate with the MOUAU Agribusiness Incubation Centre to bring modern agriculture to rural farmers to bring about increased food production, food sufficiency and stem the ravaging hunger in the land.
9. Congress commended Dr. Philip Nto, the Director of MOUAU Agribusiness Incubation Centre for gracing the invitation to be the Special Guest at the meeting during which the Associate Professor enlightened journalists on the activities of the Incubation centre.
Communiqué Drafting Committee:
1. Comrade Adiele Loveday Azubuike (Information Chapel)
2. Comrade Imeremba .M. Imeremba (Unity Federated Chapel)
3. Comrade Ugochukwu Ahuchogu (BCA Chapel)
E-Signed:
Comrade Chidi Asonye Council (Chairman) Comrade Iyke Onuegbu (Secretary)
