Anambra 2025 : INEC begs NUJ for collaboration…as NUJ, Anambra Patriots for Soludo end training workshop

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

As arrangements are in top gear for Anambra State governorship election billed for November 8, this year, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has allegedly begged the Anambra State Chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, for collaboration for effective working relationship for good result.

The appeal was made by the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who described the duo, INEC and NUJ as “twin brothers,” emphasizing that democracy cannot thrive without a robust electoral process and a responsible press working hand-in-hand.

Speaking during a one day training workshop for media practitioners in the state, held at the International Press Centre, Awka, themed “Ethical Journalism and Journalists’ Safety in an Evolving Democracy” she reiterated that such collaboration would assist immensely.

REC Agwu, who recounted her love for the journalism profession and smooth working relationship with Anambra journalists since she was deployed to the state, likened the INEC and the NUJ to “twin brothers,” stressing that both institutions have inseparable roles in safeguarding democracy.

According to her, while INEC conducts the election, it is journalists that explain it to the people.

She however commended Anambra journalists for their selfless services and their support to the Commission so far, emphasizing the need for stronger synergy between both institutions even as she noted that misinformation and unethical reportage could cause irreparable damage to the electoral process and public trust.

In his speech, the Convener of one of the support groups for the re-election of Governor Charles Soludo, Anambra Patriots for Soludo, Arch.Okey Ezeobi, disclosed that Governor Soludo before approving any proposals before him must know how a common man, market women or the vulcanizer at the roadside benefits from it.

Arch Ezeobi , stated further that the governor does not approve proposals which are specifically for the elites but the project that will benefit everybody.

According to Ezeobi who is also the Managing Director, MD, Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, “I have the address delivered by Governor Soludo in 2006 during the seminar of Anambra League of Professionals, all these things happening now have being planned by the Governor since 2006 and kept.

“It shows that Governor Soludo came prepared very well for this, he has set a blueprint in 2006 on how Anambra would become the first celebrated state economy in Africa and he came doing it,” he disclosed.

Ezeobi who was the keynote speaker at the event charged journalists to at all times, no matter the level of inducement to say the truth, to exercise the quality of late journalist Dele Giwa who stood to his words to the detriment of his life, saying, “let all the new generation journalists emulate him but, you would never lose your life at the course of your duty,” he prayed.

In his words, the Chairman of the support group, Chief Ejiamatu Damian Enekwechi who is also the chairman of the occasion, stated that they would set an agenda with the state NUJ to talk, gossip about the governor who is a performer without borrowing kobo.

He reiterated that Governor Soludo’s performance which kept everybody to wonder on the sources of the funds he utilized to achieve all these projects in the state, and attributed it to Prudential financial management.

“He judiciously uses every penny earned for the betterment of Ndi Anambra by creating the bereau of public procurement and they are succeeding in saving so much billions, what he does is simple”he posited.

Earlier the Chairman of the organizing committee, Ukpa Ewa who emphasized on the purpose of the workshop, said that it was designed to reinforce the core values of journalism, truth accuracy, fairness and transparency.

She noted that while addressing the growing challenges that threatens journalists which include intimidation, and arising waves of online harassment, stated that “our goal is to foster a safer war support and environment where journalists can carry out their duties without fear, favour or compromise.

“The strength of any democracy lies in free and responsible press by promoting ethical journalism and regarding the welfare of journalists”She said.

A veteran Journalist, Victor Agusiobo disclosed that Governor Soludo is doing much in the state because he is able to ask the important question of why and trying to provide the answers to them which brings rapid development in the state.

He said “Elections are key, it is very crucial for democratic governance and it remains the highest level of what we call petitionary communication which is the grandest opportunity for the citizens to show that they are the true owners of power, it differentiate the authoritative part of democracy.

“We never have it in mind that we would have an Anambra in today Nigeria, this rapid development in the state, if we had lose hope, we would have not reached to this point, the exercise remains we must have hope that tomorrow would be better,consensus is far better than command,no man gets up to rule another without his consent which calls for an election.

“Having consolidated the nature of power, it is my belief with that we must be less venal, very powerful, super disciplined institutions to truly rein in on the excesses of politicians and the abuses they want to bring upon democracy in the name of elections,” he stated.

Among those that graced the occasion included,His Royal Highness, Igwe Pius Omachonu, who is also the Secretary, Traditional Rulers council, Anambra State, among others.