–Berate President, Isiguzo for sneaking into Imo
Imo state Media stakeholders have dissociated themselves from the recent visit of the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comr. Chris Isiguzo to the state. Rising from a stakeholders meeting on Monday, the media practitioners numbering over hundred from various media outlets in the state frowned at the divisive tendencies of the national leadership of the Union. The group assured members of the parent union that property belonging to the Union shall remain in safe custody until the Union’s crisis is resolved. They lauded the State Governor,Sen.Hope Odidika Uzodinma for stoutly rejecting prodings by some individuals to impose the Christopher Akaraonye led illegal exco on Imo Journalists.
It will be recalled that the then Gov.Anayo Rochas Okorocha led administration through his then Chief Press Secretary,CPS,Sam Onwuemeodo tried to foist the retired Civil Servant, Akaraonye as Imo State NUJ chairman.This has been rejected by some journalists who have taken the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria,NICN,even before Okorocha acted the illegality.Thus the Union has no leadership since over a year,now.The matter has been on and recently adjourned to November 24.
The stakeholders however faulted the NUJ national President, Comr.Chris Isiguzo’s comment describing Imo state as ” Construction site,” describing it as laughable and as well as provocative.
” A leader of the Pen profession, NUJ in the country was expected to make remarks on issues that concern the welfare of his colleagues and particularly as it affects Imo pensioners who have repeatedly protested against non-payment of arrears of pensions, slashes in workers salary amongst others under the present administration.
Report credited to him eulogising the incumbent governor depicts character of a “compromised leader”, hence, his comments do not in any way represent the stand of Media practitioners (Journalists) in the state.
” It is on record that Imo NUJ’s leadership crisis is subject to prejudice and not advisable to be discussed since the matter is pending before a Court of competent jurisdiction”.
” We seize this opportunity to urge stakeholders of the Pen profession in the state to remain calm and law abiding and as well as see the courtesy visit of Isiguzo and his team as a private visit and not on behalf of any Practicing Journalist in the state. We are taking note of all illegality”, the group stated.
Information from feelers filtering in revealed that there are purported attempts to sell / lease the Union’s property ( Secretariat) situated along portH road opposite Owerri hotel Plaza. “We are watching closely and following the perpetrators with our two big eyes in the event of any sharp practice”.
It is expected that on such visit by the Union’s national president, a state visit by a high powered delegation requires a stakeholders meeting convened in order to ascertain development ( state of affairs of Journalists) in the state, since he superintends the headship of the parent union ,nationally, the group stated.
