NUJ Decries Continuous Existence of Touts in Onitsha, Despite Soludo’s Abolition

The Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the continuous existence of touts in Onitsha, despite the abolition of Touting in the state.

The union during its monthly Congress lamented that touts and their activities was making life unbearable for residents and visitors to Onitsha.

This among other issues was contained in a communique made out of the Congress, which was made available to THE RAZOR NEWS in Awka.

Full communique below…

*COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE JULY CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL HELD AT THE GODWIN EZEEMO INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, AWKA*

The July 2022 Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council presided over by the Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph. D, deliberated on issues concerning the Council, the State and the Nation and made the following resolutions:

1. Congress commended the Comrade Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu-led executive for making sure that the entire surroundings of the secretariat are kept clean. It specifically observed that since inception of Dr Odogwu’s leadership in the Union, cleanliness has become a norm in the Press Centre environment. The congress also urged the present leadership to maintain status quo.

2. Congress welcomed reports from the Subvention Committee and the International Training Committee. It inaugurated three committees, namely: the Indoor Sports Fiesta Committee, NUJ New Yam Committee, and the Akwaete Fiesta Committee. The Akwaete fiesta committee was in response to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s appeal that all unions in the state will wear Akwaete for 2024 May Day match past. The International Training Committee informed the Congress that Dubai International Training for Journalists is in the offing at the subsidized cost of #600,000.

3. Congress complained that some Chapels of the union are not active due to poor commitment of the Chapels’ Executive. It regretted why Chairmen and Secretaries of chapels won’t be active to carry out their responsibility as expected, and noted that any Chapel Chairman that is unable to adequately play his role will be denied some benefits meant for the Chairman and Secretary. Congress also called on committed members of their respective Chapels to ensure that their executives are up and doing.

4. The Congress welcomed a proposal that offered NUJ members opportunity to obtain Professional Diploma in Mass Communication and Media Studies of Paul University, Awka for a fee of N50,000 while also eulogizing the institution for kick-starting the programme aimed at empowering Anambra-based Journalists academically. It encouraged journalists with no professional qualification in journalism to utilize the opportunity and urged certified members to update their knowledge especially on new courses introduced in the profession. The congress commended the Town and Gown initiative of Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna through her partners in subsidizing the tuition fees for willlling participants.

5. Congress frowned at the harassment of journalists by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and called on the leadership of the Union to meet with VIO on the issue for amicable resolution.

6. Congress commended the pro-activeness of Professor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration in restoring adequate security of life and property in the state. It also commended the administration on palliative work on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway recently especially on the Amansea-Ugwuoba axis of the road among others, while urging the Soludo led Government to do more.

7. Congress called the attention of the state government on the need to intensify action against touting in Onitsha and environs. It also called on the state government to look into street lights in the state, in view of finding out why the lights are no longer functional and as well, device means of protecting the street lights and generators from vandals.

8. Congress called on the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve it’s lingering issues and call off the ongoing strike in the interest of the students who could turn out to be torn on the society if care is not taken.

9. Congress welcomed the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Osita Chiaghanam and the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Harrison Madubueze.

*SIGNED:*
Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph.D
Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council

Comrade Aloysius Ofodile,
Secretary, NUJ Anambra State Council

*Members of Communique Drafting Committee:*
1. Ikenna Nwokedi, Ph.D
2. Henry Duru, Ph.D
3. Lawrence Nwimo
4. Titus Eleweke
5. David Okpokwasili