v Speaks on alleged plot to sell secretariat
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NJU), Imo State council, on Saturday March 13, 2020 held a congress at the Imo NUJ press centre, where Comrade Precious Nwadike, a trained journalist and Publisher of Nigerian Watchdog Newspaper was officially endorsed as chairman of Imo NUJ caretaker committee in place of Comrade Steve Uzoechi of New Telegraph Newspaper whose four month tenure had elapsed. This extends the tenure of the caretaker committee by another four months.
While handing over to Comrade Nwadike, Uzoechi assured the committee of his continued support, even as he steps aside, stressing that the interest of the union remains paramount.
Comrade Nwadike, in his acceptance speech thanked Comrade Uzoechi for his outstanding leadership qualities and commended his effort in ensuring that the Imo NUJ secretariat was not sold by those who are not aware of the effort and sacrifices of the founding fathers and trail blazers of the profession in the state made to acquire and sustain the multi million naira property. He assured that he and other members of the committee will leave no stone unturned in consolidating on the achievements of the caretaker committee.
Nwadike also warned those who struck a deal with the Chris Akaraonye led dissident group to sell the Imo NUJ secretariat to desist from the nefarious act stressing that the union is for practicing journalist and not for retirees.
He further stated that “though, it is not yet confirmed, it was gathered that some past leaders of the NUJ had connived with the dissident group to convert the union’s secretariat to a brothel to themselves.This is unacceptable”.
The Publisher of Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper expressed regret that with such gigantic edifice as a secretariat, “our colleagues don’t come there to file stories as they prefer going to hotels, restaurants and cyber cafes while there is such befitting secretariat that should cater for the professional needs of Imo journalists. A committee will be set up urgently to ensure effective use of the secretariat once again”.
According to Comrade Nwadike, the caretaker committee shall hold a meeting this week where they will look at it’s activities and announce the union’s programme of action and events, stressing that, “never again shall any journalist in the state be attacked without commensurate consequence and necessary action to serve as a deterrent”.
He urged politicians and leaders in various fields to see journalists as partners in progress, insisting that the practitioners in the state show more interest in developmental journalism.
The high point of the congress was a facility tour of the multi-million naira secretariat.
