Land Tussle: Delta NUJ Seeks Okowa’s Intervention, As Bank Charges Deplete N17m Largesse

…Advises Political Parties and Politicians on 2019 Election.

The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ), has called on the State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to expedite action on the litigation surrounding the ownership of the land donated by the state government to the union to build its state secretariat.

This was contained in a communique issued by the Union at the end of its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Thursday December 6, 2018, at Labour House, Asaba.

The communique signed by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Comrade Celestine Afokobah, Chairman and Assistant Secretary of the Delta NUJ respectively, stressed that the fund given to the union by the state governor to facilitate the completion of the secretariat was already dwindling owing to bank charges.

Also contained in the resolution of the union were calls to political actors in the 2019 general election to eschew violence, advising youths to avoid being used as agents of destruction and thuggery and the strong condemnation of ritual killings across the state.

The communique as obtained by ASABA METRO and reads below;

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), DELTA STATE COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2018, AT LABOUR HOUSE, ASABA.

The following resolutions were reached:

1. SEC appealed to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to expedite action on the litigation surrounding the ownership of the land given by the state government to the union on which the state secretariat is being erected. This appeal became necessary as the N17 million (seventeen million naira) given to the union to complete the project is lying fallow and fast depleting owing to bank charges.
2. That various political parties contesting the 2019 general elections should avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the state council of the NUJ, on the up-coming debate for candidates that are seeking elective positions.
3. That the various political parties should go about their electioneering campaigns without rancour, bickering and acrimony during the exercise and as such engage in issue-based campaigns.
4. That youths should not allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction and political thugs during the exercise, even as the press (media) should not be gagged by either politicians, security agents or interest groups.
5. SEC in session also condemned the spate of ritual killings across the state and called on security agents to discharge their duties without fear or favour, and serve justice on any culprit.
6. The SEC meeting, which was attended by the chairmen and secretaries of the 16 chapels in the state, wishes the government and good people of the state a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance.

Signed:
Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, Chairman.                                                   Comrade Celestine Afokobah, Assistant Secretary.