-Visits headquarters in Abuja
The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State Council, Comrade Precious Nwadike was at the Abuja Headquarters of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), on Tuesday to interface and commend the management for granting approval for the school to be relocated to its former site at the Imo NUJ Secretariat along Port Harcourt road, Owerri, the Imo State capital.
He also informed the management of the institution that, in line with their demand, the Imo State Council of the NUJ has renovated the school premises and ready to admit new intakes as the environment is now conducive for teaching and learning.
On hand to receive the Imo NUJ Chairman were a Deputy Director, in the institution Nicholas Maduezechi Igwenagu and the Registrar, Afolabi Olusola who expressed happiness that the Imo State Council of the NUJ is passionately committed to having the school reopened. They also expressed their willingness to assist in any way they can.
It would be recalled that the management of IIJ had in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Imo NUJ Caretaker Committee dated May, 18, 2021 approved the relocation of the school to the Port Harcourt road, Owerri Secretariat of Imo NUJ and gave condition for the relocation of the school which is the only professional journalism institution in the entire South East.
One of the conditions was that the school which was vandalized by some criminals as a prelude to selling it be renovated and made conducive for learning.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Nwadike said, “in line with the condition given by the management of IIJ for the relocation of the school, the vandalized premises has been renovated and the church which previously occupied some of the buildings has been vacated. Hence there is now enough space to accommodate the students.”
It would also be recalled that former governor of Imo State who had completed arrangement to buy off the secretariat and its expansive premises through Chris Akaraonye, former Imo NUJ Chairman, Innocent Igwe and other men of little worth and esteem gave quit notice to the school, after which they vandalized and allegedly looted most of the fittings and equipments.
Since 2019, the school which used to admit National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma Students yearly has not done so.
