NUJ Anambra State Council April Congress Communique On The Position Of Members Against Correspondents Chapel

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL, APRIL CONGRESS HELD ON APRIL 3, 2025 AT THE GODWIN EZEEMO INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTER, NUJ SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, held its April Congress under the leadership of the Chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu. The Congress deliberated on critical issues affecting the state and the union and adopted the following resolutions:

1. Congress frowned at the activities of some disgruntled elements in the correspondents chapel of the NUJ always stoking crisis for the.wrong reasons, and
   described the kangaroo and purported election by correspondents chapel led by Chuks Ilozue as a charade, null and void and of no effect. The leadership led by Chuks Ilozue was warmed not to parade itself anywhere as leaders of a chapel under NUJ or risk the consequences thereto.
2. Congress urged Ndi Anambra to disregard the misinformation, negativity and propaganda allegedly emanating from the Correspondents’ Chapel alleging that the state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD has been suspended as the chapel has no such rights.
3. Congress unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu as the chairman of the NUJ Anambra State Council as a leader with excellent qualities,and as well passed a confidence vote on his executive. The motion was moved by Dr. Stanley Onunkwo, chairman of Information Chapel and supported by Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, member of Angel Network chapel and NUJ Matriarch Anambra/National NUJ Icon as supported unanimously by Congress.
4. A Caretaker/Rescue Committee was constituted to restore order within the Correspondents’ Chapel and strengthen Union’s unity. The committee, with a three-month mandate, comprises of two sets of people- the first three to face administrative aspects of the chapel as they are all members of the chapel and the second to ensure peaceful process is followed in restoring peace to the chapel:

Caretaker committee

• Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika
  (Chairman)
• Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu
  (Secretary)
• Comrade Uzoma Nzeagwu
  (Member)

Whereas Rescue Team committee

• Comrade Dennis Ekemezie
  (Member as a veteran)
• Comrade Dr Stanley
  Onunkwo (Member information chapel)
• Comrade Dr Obiorah Edogor ( member Unizik chapel)

1. Congress urged members to refrain from filing frivolous petitions intended to cause disunity in the union and writing jaundiced, malicious and pedestrian stories laced with lies, and propaganda emanating from envy, pettiness and jealousy specifically advising Tony Okafor from Agulu formerly of Punch, but now with New National Star/Razor online to desist from such activities.
2. Congress condemned the unprofessional conduct of some members whose actions undermine the integrity of the journalism profession and warned them to desist from acts that will ridicule the union and it’s members before the right thinking public.
3. Congress commended the executive committee for their dedication while condemning the cyber bullying and defamation stories targeted at the leadership of Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu led executive and the union.
4. Congress considered the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Betty Onuchukwu innocent of anti Union activities staying through the scam and so called purported election charade by Chuks Ilozue of Daily Independent Newspapers as orchestrated by Kelvin Ekediegwu of Radio Nigeria who was the chairman of credentials committee and his cohorts for championing unconstitutional and illegal acts in the chapel.
5. Congress dismissed allegations and suspension rumours against Comrade Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu’s leadership as false, senseless and baseless.
6. Congress reiterated it’s solidarity to the Odogwu led administration and reiterated that no individual or chapel is above the union and reaffirmed it’s commitment to the unity of the union with its Chapels and urged members to remain committed to professionalism, legally accepted acts and ethical journalism.
7. The union commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his commitment to addressing public concerns, particularly his efforts to curb the alleged illegal activities of Agụnechemba security outfit by setting up a monitoring committee to overseer the activities of Agunechemba security outfit.
8. Congress commmeded the Prof Soludo led administration for prompt payment of gratuity to retired workers and urged the Governor to prioritize the payment of outstanding gratuities and entitlements to retirees of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), which has been pending since 2017, as the retirees shall be eternally grateful to him.
9. The union applauded Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the ongoing construction of the new Government House and Lodge, recognizing it as a significant infrastructural achievement.
10. Congress called on residents, especially children, to exercise caution during the rainy season to avoid being washed off by flash flood, and emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal and flood prevention measures to avoid blocking the waterways. Congress advised that families dig up catchment pits to reduce the flow of flood for a safer environment.
11. Congress expressed gratitude to Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, ( Mkpuluobi Amawbia) for sponsoring the NUJ April Congress. Congress appreciated his other promises for a robust relationship with the union.
12. The union commended the Political Adviser to Governor Soludo Dr Alex Obiogbolu for his solidarity to the union and sponsorship of the March Congress and urged him to continue to partner with the NUJ in many fronts.
13. Congress commmeded the Chairperson of Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Anambra State Chapter,
    Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika for maintaining peace in the association against all odds.
14. Congress appealed to all politicians and political parties to ensure peaceful party Congress and primaries devoid of rancour, acrimony ,blood letting and outright killing as the political parties select their candidates for Anambra State Governorship election.

Compiled by the communique Drafting Committee:

• Comrade Emeka Chiaghanam- Chairman
• Comrade Ifeanyi Okonkwo- member
• Comrade Chidinma Ajemba- Secretary

E-Signed:

Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu, PhD
Secretary, NUJ, Anambra State Council
08061506936

Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, JP
Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council
08060750240

Issued on the 3rd day of April, 2025.