GEORGE KAJO, Makurdi
The zoom meeting of Zone D of Nigeria Union of Journalists has ended with a call on security agencies to intensive efforts to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance and death of Vanguard Correspondent of House of Representatives, Comrade Tordue Salem of FCT Council.
The Zone also called on employers of FCT journalists reportedly laid off without benefit to pay them all their benefits and commended FCT Council for its collaborative efforts with NUJ National Secretariat which resulted in the payment of about 30% of their allowances.
The Zone called on members of NUJ in FCT to be peaceful and orderly during the Council election slated for December 4, 2021 commending the Council for holding the election at the appropriate time.
In a communiqué, issued after the meeting and signed by bt Secretary of Plateau Council, Peter Amine, the FCT Secretary, Ochiaka Ugwu and the Zonal Secretary, Abdul Aji, the Zone commended the various State Councils for the their achievements and urged them to keep the flag flying.
The Zone called on state governments in the zone to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The Zone particularly condemned the abduction of a University of Abuja lecturer with his family, urging security agencies to beef up security around schools that have become targets of attacks and kidnapping.
It condemned the leadership crisis rocking Plateau State House of Assembly and called for quick resolution of the impasse to enable the lawmakers resume their legislative business.
NUJ also called on state governments to liaise with the Federal Government to rehabilitate highways in the zone, noting that roads in the zones have become dead traps and applauded the Federal Government’s move to construct/rehabilitate major roads within the zone through NNPC intervention.
Kris Atsaka led NUJ Zone D, congratulated NUJ President, Chief Chris Isiguzo on his re-election which it said was based on his track record of achievements in the first tenure and pledged to give him the needed support to succeed.
The Zone resolved to give the necessary support to the Zonal Vice President, Zonal Secretary and other leaders from the zone to succeed.
“The Zone resolved that proper handing/taking over between the out-going and new zonal officials be done without delay. It was agreed the documents and the zonal vehicle (Sienna Bus) be handed over to the new officials.”
It was also agreed that former Zone D Vice President, Chief Wilson Bako be notified in writing to handover documents and properties in his possession without further delay to enable the new zonal leaders takeoff smoothly and that a copy of the letter be forwarded to NUJ National Secretariat.
It was further resolved that the new zonal officials brief the zone about the handing /taking over process in due time, in an event of any encumbrances for further action.
The Zone was notified that a bus belonging to the Correspondents’ Chapel of Kogi State Council of NUJ was involved in an accident between Kabba and Benin road in which five persons died but none of them was a journalist.