TASK BUHARI TO DECLARE JUNE 12 PUBLIC HOLIDAY, STARTING THIS YEAR
Emmanuel Ukudolo l Saturday, June 09, 2018
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Nigerian Union of Journalist(NUJ) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all service chiefs, noting that they have failed the nation.The NUJ(Lagos State Council) made the call during the monthly congress held on Saturday June 9 at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre in Iyala, Ikeja, Lagos.
The union recalled an instance in Makurdi, where President Buhari ordered the IGP, Ibrahim Ikpotun Idris to relocate to quell the violence between herdsmen and farmers, and observed that the IGP refused to relocate, adding that till date the IGP is still there while the killing has continued without let up in in Kaduna, Zamfara and other part of the north.
The congress applauded the recognition given to Chief MKO Abiola and others by President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that unity of Nigeria should be our priority.
The NUJ is of the view that Chief MKO Abiola should be gazetted as Nigeria’s past president and that the President should take a look at the National Honours Act and amend it to reflect the award.
Congress also called on the President to recognise Humphery Nwosu and others members of the Social Democratic Party, SDP who are yet to be recognised. In addition the NUJ called on President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead to make June 12 a public holiday and it should take effect this year.
See details below.
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF NUJ JUNE CONGRESS HELD JUNE 9, 2018, PRESIDED OVER BY DR.QASIM AKINRETI, CHAIRMAN
DATE: JUNE 09, 2018
1. NUJ applauds the recognition given to Chief MKO Abiola and others by President Muhammadu Buhari and that unity of Nigeria should be our priority. The NUJ is of the view MKO Abiola be gazetted as Nigeria’s past president.The union called on the President to take a look at the National Honours Act and amend it to reflect the award. We also called on the President to recognise Humphery Nwosu and others who are members of SDP who are yet to be recognised. In addition the NUJ called on President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead to make June 12 a public holiday and it should take effect this year.
2. We demand that the President Muhammadu Buhari should sack all security chiefs because they have failed the nation in matters of security.
We recall an instance in Makurdi, where the President asked the IGP, Ibrahim Ikpotun Idris to relocate, he did not relocate and up till today, he is still there while the killing has continued without let up in in Kaduna, Zamfara and other part of the north.
3. On Offa robbery, the NUJ expressed condolence with the people of Offa for 33 people that were killed in the robbery and that the linkage of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Government to the incident is disturbing. The union condemns political thugery and those involved should be made to face the law. The NUJ equally called on politicians to allow police to do their job since nobody is above the law.
4. That NUJ should sustain the relationship initiated with Nestle Food Plc so as to promote media professionals status in terms of professional competence. The congress called on members to take maximum advantage of the NUJ/NESTLE Nutrition and Welbeing Award (DAME) which has potential to raise millionaires among journalists.
5. The NUJ noted that Media professionals do not earn their salary as and when due, while those who receive regular salary are poorly paid, there is therefore the need for government to work out a living wage for media professionals to safeguard the 4th Estate of the Realm from going down th drain. The Lagos State Council is of the view that NUJ national should wake up and live up to its responsibility to the welfare of practicing journalists in Nigeria.
6. With the July 14 election around the corner in Ekiti state, the NUJ appeal to political parties in Ekiti State to eshew violence and play by the rule.
7. On Abaren Land, the congress resolved that the NUJ should take possession of the land through legal means and reallocate to susbcribers.
8. On proceeds from Light house, the congress is of the view that the Estate Agent should make an initial payment of N10 million by June ending and the remaining to be spreading in 3 months.
Communique drafting committee for NUJ Congress
Ajibola Abayomi
Olalekan Olagunju;
Bose Adelaja
Emmanuel Ukudolo
