ASABA/Nigeria: In a pivotal Congress convened on January 18, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has issued a resounding expression of unease regarding the surging levels of insecurity both nationwide and specifically within Delta State. The council headed by the Chairman Churchill Oyowe, Secretary Victor Sorokwu, and key committee members the Congress tackled an array of urgent issues affecting the nation.
The Council, voiced apprehension over the mounting insecurity, especially within Delta State, and vehemently criticized the influx of individuals lacking known or verifiable addresses, exacerbating the state’s security challenges.
In response, the Congress advocated for the periodic profiling of residents, particularly those without proper identification, as a preemptive measure against criminal activities.
Acknowledging the imperative for immediate action, the NUJ urged security agencies to conduct routine raids on uncompleted buildings harboring miscreants, with the aim of restoring peace and order in the state. The Congress additionally called on pertinent government agencies to exercise oversight on beggars in specific areas, including Interbau, DBS, Koka Roundabout, among others, to restore order to these regions.
Citing concerns about the security implications of unregulated transportation, the NUJ appealed to the police and relevant security agencies to scrutinize and regulate the activities of commercial tricycles and motorcycle operators, particularly on Delta State highways.
In a bid to further address security challenges, the NUJ recommended the outright prohibition of the activities of scavengers, commonly known as Iron Condemn, in Delta State.
The NUJ Congress advocated for the depoliticization of the appointment process for senior electoral officers in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Proposing that appointments for positions such as Chairman, Commissioners, and REC should be devoid of executive influence, with funding directly sourced from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the NUJ aims to ensure credible elections and minimize judicial interventions.
Demonstrating solidarity with the journalistic community, the NUJ condemned the police invasion of a live television program in Abia State, calling for sanctions against those found culpable. Furthermore, the Congress commended the recent judgment by the Abuja High Court, affirming that the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) cannot impose fines on broadcast stations for alleged breaches of its code.
In a comprehensive recommendation, the NUJ Congress called for the decentralization of policing in Nigeria. Advocating for the establishment of federal, state, metropolitan, and local government police units, the NUJ aims to enhance the effectiveness of security measures for the protection of lives and property nationwide.
The communique, signed by Churchill Oyowe – Chairman, NUJ, Delta Council; Victor Sorokwu – Secretary, NUJ, Delta Council; Godwin Ijediogor (Guardian Bureau Chief) – Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee; and Ifeanyi Olannye (NAN) – Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee; and Ifeoma Okafor (NTA) – Member, Communique Drafting Committee, solidifies the NUJ Delta State Council’s steadfast commitment to addressing critical issues affecting the nation and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
