TheNewsGuru

Tag: NUJ

  • FRSC warns against selling vehicles with number plates

    FRSC warns against selling vehicles with number plates

    Mrs Elizabeth Akinlade, the new Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) Sector Commander in Cross River has warned Nigerians against selling their vehicles with number plates.

    Akinlade gave the warning when she paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council in Calabar.

    The sector commander said the warning became necessary to protect unsuspecting members of the public against selling their vehicles to people of questionable character.

    According to her, the original owner of the vehicle will be held responsible if the vehicle is used to perpetuate a crime after it had been sold.

    She said the corps had a data bank of the original owners of all vehicles in the country, adding that when a car is sold a new buyer ought to do change of ownership.

    “Don’t sell your vehicle with the plate number because in our data bank, the name of the original owner of the vehicle including his address is stored.

    “If the vehicle is used to carryout a crime, with the information in our data bank, the original owner may be arrested even if he knows nothing about the crime but sold the car with the plate number.

    “One of our strategic goals is to have a robust data-bank because without data you may not be able to do much,” she said.

    Akinlade said the main goal of the corps in Cross River in 2022 would be to reduce road crashes by 15 per cent, adding that it could only be possible with a cordial relationship with the media.

    “We have lost a lot of people especially breadwinners, some of whom have been rendered incapacitated, that is why we continue to urge the media to help us push the message of defensive driving to the public,” she said.

    In his remarks, Mr Victor Udu, Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River Council, thanked the sector commander for her visit, and urged the command to make the process of getting vehicle licence easy.

    He, however, appealed to members of the public to ensure that their papers were up-to-date and their vehicles in good condition, especially their tyres, side mirrors, rear glasses to minimise altercations with FRSC officials.

    “If we do what the law says, we will have less frictions with FRSC and whenever they stop you for breaking the law, be gentle enough to appeal to them and not claim right,” he said.

    Akinlade took over from Mr Ocheja Ameh at the the Cross River Command.

  • Chinese envoy reveals plans to take Nigerian football team to China

    Chinese envoy reveals plans to take Nigerian football team to China

    Mr Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of China to Nigeria has revealed plans by his country to take the Nigerian football team to his country.

    Cui made this known on Saturday while briefing Journalists on the sidelines of the 4th edition of the Nigeria-China Ping-Pong tournament, organised for Journalists by the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

    He stressed this was part of efforts by his country and Nigeria to harness sporting activities to deepen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    Cui said, “Nigeria leads in football in Africa and we have a great distance to catch up with Nigeria football, and we are thinking of bringing Nigeria football team to China, we can do things together.

    “I am working on this agenda, because there is need for the two countries, to try to use sports as a way to deepen relations between them.

    “I also have lots of plans for next year after COVID-19; I believe that lots of Journalists will like to go to China, because seeing is believing.

    “China has now really achieved a lot. We have lots of challenges, but I believe that if you go to China you will see China and I think that is beneficial to Nigerians.

    “We can use table tennis to build friendship between the two nations. It is very important and I think it special for young people to make friends, share ideas and exchange thoughts.”

    He disclosed that the Chinese embassy plans to create opportunities for Journalists to go to China and encourage Chinese people to come to Nigeria for nationals of both countries learn from each other.

    More so, Cui said, although the tournament could not hold in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, China is putting-up measures to support Nigeria, to ensure that normalcy is restored, saying “Chinese central government has decided to donate Chinese vaccine to Nigeria.

    “Firstly, batch of 500,000 dosages will be delivered to Nigeria before the end of this year and millions of dosages could be provided by the Chinese government, so we await your government’s response.

    “We have 40 countries that use Chinese vaccines, donated by China, so on the Nigerian side, I have not received any response from your government.

    “I hope by the end of this year we can provide a million dosages to Nigeria and this is very important,” he added.

    Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Chapter, thanked the Embassy of China and promised to work closely with the mission to sustain the feat.

    According to Ogbeche, the support derived from the mission and its Cultural Centre has gone a long way to promote the well being of members of the Union and to physically keep fit.

    In a separate interview, the overall winner of the tournament in the men’s singles category, Tiennabeso Bibiye, a staff of AIT, expressed appreciation to the management of Daar Communications for its support.

    According to him, the management provided the enabling environment for its staff to prepare adequately for the tournament.

    “I came into this competition with some level of confidence, because I am a regular table tennis player, that is what I do, it is a passion for me, it is something I do to keep fit.

    “But, I never knew I was going to meet stiff opponent in today’s game.

    Equally, the overall Winner of Women’s singles category, Hannah Onoja, also a staff of AIT, attributed her success to adequate preparations.

    “I really trained hard for this game, knowing fully well of what is ahead for me, I trained under the sun and rain just for this particular tournament.

    “So, I am not surprised at my performance, I have been playing since the past three weeks,” Onoja said.

    Meanwhile, Adetokumbo Adesanya of the News Agency of Nigeria emerged second, and Denis Ade of NTA, and Ibrahim Shuibu of FRCN are joint third.

    Also, Chioma Anajor of Correspondence, emerged second in the women’s category, while Xhang Lixue of China Cultural Centre and Shittu Isiti of NTA took the third position.

    The event, hosted by the Embassy of China in Nigeria and NUJ, attracted 64 male players, 16 female players and 8 pairs of double players in the tournament.

    The Ambassador promised to donate a standard Table Tennis board to the NUJ.

  • #FindTordue: NUJ storms force headquarters, demand release of missing journalist

    #FindTordue: NUJ storms force headquarters, demand release of missing journalist

    Protest erupted on Monday in the heart of Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT) as executives and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) filed out in their numbers to demand the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to expedite actions for the safe return of missing journalist, Mr Tordue Henry Salem.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Tordue, a reporter who covers the House of Representatives for the Vanguard newspaper has been declared missing since October 13 and since then, nothing has been heard of him or his whereabouts.

    Chairman of the FCT Council of the NUJ, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, who led the peaceful march to the NPF headquarters, said that a law abiding citizen should not go missing just few metres away from the force headquarters without any reasonable response from the police.

    Mr Ogbeche called on the NPF to do everything possible to ensure that Tordue is found and returned alive. He presented a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, demanding actions and accountability for the safety of journalists, and the rescue of the missing colleague.

    According to the NUJ FCT Council chairman, 48 hours after fellow colleagues who cover the House of Representatives realized Tordue had disappeared, a report was immediately incidented at the House of Reps Police Division.

    He further revealed that this was followed by a petition to both the office of the IGP and that of the Director General of the Department of State Security by Tordue’s employers- Vanguard Media Ltd.

    “Mr. Tordue Henry Salem of the Vanguard Newspapers went missing on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 right in front of the Total Filing Station less than a 100 meters from the Force Headquarters.

    “48 hours after fellow colleagues who cover the House of Representatives realized he had DISAPPEARED, a report was immediately incidented at the House of Reps Police Division. This was followed by a petition to both your office and that of the Director General of the Department of State Security by his employers- Vanguard Media Ltd. This is outside calls by the leadership of the NUJ to senior officers of the Police.

    “It is regrettable to note that 12 days after Mr. Tordue Henry Salem DISAPPEARED, nothing much has happened to indicate whether he is alive or dead; whether he is captive of the State, a non-state or an alien,” the petition reads in part.

    The NUJ FCT Council thus demanded that the case be transferred to a special unit of the police under the office of the IGP, and that the NPF hold a confidential briefing with the family of Tordue, the leadership of the Union and his employers to calm frayed nerves.

    Meanwhile, in his remarks, IGP Baba, who was represented by Force Public Relations officer, Frank Mba revealed that the case of the missing journalist was already with them and that investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

    Receiving the petition on behalf of the IGP, Mba assured that the missing journalist would be found. He also acceded to the demands of the Union.

  • NBC vows to continue going after media houses

    NBC vows to continue going after media houses

    Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Balarabe Ilelah has said the Commission will continue to go after media houses if they go contrary to NBC code.

    Mr Ilelah said this when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its president, Chris Isiguzo, visited the Commission’s office in Abuja on Monday.

    Advising media houses to operate within the law, the NBC DG said: “Journalism is a profession that has ethics. We are supposed to operate within the ethics of the profession.

    “We are going to keep checking people that spread fake news. The Commission will not be scared and will summon anyone who goes contrary to NBC code”.

    Ilelah explained the NBC mandate is to regulate and work with media houses, to sanitise the industry and to make sure that things are done according to the law.

    “Our duty is to make sure that everybody is given a fair playing ground so that you can say whatever you want to say that is according to the law,” he said.

    Earlier, the NUJ president said that there must be a media that operates without unnecessary encumbrances.

    “That is why we feel that there is need for us to, once again, come here and interface with the commission.

    “We are not people that are fighting to bring down the country, the media professionals worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria became a democratic nation,” he said.

    Isiguzo also appealed to the NBC to grant licence to NUJ to operate radio and television stations.

  • NUJ honours reporter killed during El-Zakzaky’s protest

    NUJ honours reporter killed during El-Zakzaky’s protest

    Two years later, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday honoured Precious Owolabi, a reporter killed during a peaceful protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports members of IMN were protesting to drive the demand for the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky home when Owolabi was killed.

    Owolabi was given the posthumous honour at the Press Freedom Awards 2021 event of the NUJ held at Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2021.

    NUJ described the killing on July 22, 2019 of the reporter, who worked with Channels Television in Abuja while covering the protest as agonising.

    The reporter, who was on national service as a member of NYSC died of bullet wounds sustained during the coverage of the protest.

    It was not clear who actually fired the fatal shots. A Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operations at the FCT Police Command, Umar Usman equally died from gun shots sustained during the violent protest.

    So far, no investigations were carried out and it was believed that the young reporter was a victim of police action.

  • NUJ bans media coverage of police activities in Delta

    NUJ bans media coverage of police activities in Delta

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has placed a ban on the coverage of all police activities in the state over the unwarranted attack and brutalization of Vanguard Correspondent, Akpokona Omafuaire.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, and the Secretary, Comrade Patrick Ochei.

    The statement reads: “We are sombre that the police could be insensitive to the plight of our member who is lying at the hospital yet without any care and attention from those who inflicted the injury on him.

    “The Council is taken aback by the indifferent disposition of police in Delta State as many journalists have one story or the other to tell about their experiences in the hands of those who are supposed to protect them since the #ENDSARS Protest began.

    “Akpokona’s case is one of the numerous issues the Council has recorded in the past few months and can no longer fold her hands and watch endlessly her members being molested, beaten, harassed, brutalised, intimidated and detained.

    “Right now we are calling on our members in the Council to stop attending police press briefings, stop using their press releases, stop covering their activities or taking interviews from them henceforth. We are in support of the victim seeking redress in court and we will join him to get justice.

    “The PPRO whose office it is to coordinate police relationship with the media has shown disdain and no concern to the frequent harassment, intimidation and brutalization of journalists in the State.

    “It is on this note that we are calling first for the removal of the DPO of Owvian Aladja Police Division for gross incompetence and then the police hierarchy should fish out Sergeant Godspower and his cohorts for appropriate sanction.

    “We will maintain working synergy and cordial relationship with the Police Command in the State if they are ready to; however, we are not ready to bury any of our members who will die from police brutality before the Police will learn how to deal with journalists.

    “We reiterate that the ban on coverage of police activities takes immediate effect and any member of the Union who flouts this order will face disciplinary action from the Council. A stitch in time saves nine!”

  • NUJ lambasts Fani-Kayode over ‘gangster-like’ attack on Daily Trust reporter

    NUJ lambasts Fani-Kayode over ‘gangster-like’ attack on Daily Trust reporter

    The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ on Tuesday condemned the gangster-like outburst by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode against the Cross River State Correspondent of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles who asked him a simple question.

    The association’s President, Chris Isiguzo, in a statement released on the incident, described Fani-Kayode’s act as one targetted at denigrating journalists.

    The statement partly reads, ” The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ condemns the gangster-like outburst by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode against the Cross River State Correspondent of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles who asked him a simple question which he felt was embarrassing.

    In his reaction, Kayode assaulted the journalist and threatened him for daring to ask such a question.

    By denigrating the journalist, Fani-Kayode has exposed himself the more as an intolerant and unstable person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media.

  • NUJ Chairman confirms release of 4 journalists arrested by Police in Delta

    Chairman of the Warri chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Okies Vicky has confirmed the release of four journalists arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr. Vicky made the confirmation, saying the four journalists were released after Police detectives obtained statements from them.

    The Police detectives had stormed the Press Centre of the Warri Correspondent Chapel of the NUJ to arrest the Correspondent of Daily Post Online, Mr. Matthew Omonigho.

    Three other journalists the leadership of the Chapel sent to know the crime Omonigho committed were reportedly arrested and detained by the operatives.

    The detained journalists are Mr Edeki Egafe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Francis Sadhere of Business Day and Mr Christopher Odamah, a freelance journalist.

    The incident happened on Tuesday. However, no reason was given for the arrest of the Daily Post reporter and the other three journalists.

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the journalists were freed following the intervention of the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa and the Chairman of the State Council of NUJ, Comrade Michael Ikeagwu.

    TNG, however, has not been able to reach the newsmen on why they were arrested.

  • BREAKING: Police storm press centre, arrest 4 journalists in Delta

    Police detectives on Tuesday stormed the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and arrested Mr. Matthew Omonigho, a journalist with the Daily Post Online.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) the police detectives also took hold of three members of the Warri Correspondents Chapel of the Delta State Council of the NUJ.

    The arrested journalists are Mr. Matthew Omonigho of the Daily Post Online, Mr Edeki Egafe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Francis Sadhere of Business Day and Mr Christopher Odomhe, a freelance journalist.

    The reason for the arrest of the journalists was not disclosed.

    It was learnt that the police operatives had stormed the Press Centre of the Warri NUJ along Gbiaye Street in Warri at about 3:45pm to pick Omonigho for undisclosed reasons.

    Following Omonigho’s arrest, the leadership of the NUJ in Warri immediately dispatched Edeki, Sadhere and Christopher to visit the Warri Area Command to ascertain the offence for which Omonigho was arrested.

    On getting there, the officers detained the three journalists who had visited the station to clarify issues relating to the arrest of the Daily Post’s reporter.

    The mobile sets of the four journalists were alleged to have been confiscated by the operatives.

    It was gathered that the detectives were from the Force Headquarters. They declined to give reasons for the arrest of the four journalists.

    The chairman of the Warri NUJ, Mr. Okies Vicky, was not allowed to see the four arrested journalists till 9pm when this report was being filed.

  • COVID-19: NUJ Applauds Nigerian Medical Practitioners, Cautions Governors, Politicians

    The NIGERIA Union of Journalists (NUJ) describes as outstanding and courageous, the excellence and professionalism so far demonstrated by Nigerian medical doctors, nurses, and health workers in managing the Coronavirus Pandemic since the case was reported in the country.

    The Union is indeed proud of what our home grown medical practioners and health workers have achieved so far in the fight against this pandemic; inspite of poor facilities, hostile working environments and frustrating conditions of service.

    The Union notes that with very low mortality rate, increasing number of discharged persons and effective management of positive patients, our medical professionals have shown that they can compete favourably with the best in the world if given the opportunity and accorded the required recognition.

    The Union calls on the Federal and State Governments to consider adequate remuneration for health workers in this line of duty.

    The Union advises the Federal and State Governments, the private sector at all levels that the time to invest in the health sector is now. The obvious impact of this rampaging pandemic has made it more imperative for our hospitals to become more functional considering that everybody no matter how highly or lowly placed has now been circumstantially compelled to patronize our local hospitals.

    The NUJ also welcomes with high expectations, the measures so far taken by the Federal Government to manage the crisis. The Union commends the professionalism shown by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu in particular and the SGF-led Presidential TasK Force on COVID 19.

    The NUJ identifies the daily media briefing by the Task Force, interface with various state governments as important steps that have helped information dessemination, public education and enlightenment. It has also helped to draw national attention to the dangers that lie ahead, the responsibilities of all Nigerians and the need for unity of purpose to defeat the pandemic.

    The NUJ therefore stands with the government and the Task Force and will continue to offer every support in this direction.

    The Union commends its members, health reporters and correspondents and the Nigerian media generally for the on-going aggressive campaign through various news and programs on the dangers of the virus. We also once more call on authorities and owners of media establishments to do everything possible to equip their reporters and provide palliatives for journalists across the country so as to reduce the risk faced at this critical time. For debtor media houses, the Union reiterates that it will not continue to stand idly while journalists who work round the clock are owed several months arrears of salaries. Since its strategic engagements appear not to be yielding results as expected, the Union in the coming weeks may be forced to resort to either picketing of such media houses or take legal actions.

    The NUJ also views as disappointing and careless some decisions and actions of some state governors which if not checked are capable of undermining the restrictions and social distancing directives put in place for overall public safety. Relaxing the lockdown order in some states for the commemoration of the Easter celebration was a dangerous gamble and the affected states are advised to avoid such errors in future. Governors of states where cases have been recorded but are still yet to order a lockdown are advised to do so as it remains better to err on the side of caution.

    The Union uses this opportunity to advise politicians from all political parties to stop forthwith from playing politics with a deadly global health challenge such as the coronavirus pandemic that constitutes a matter of life and death. Politicians are urged to watch closely and learn from what is happening all over the world, where politics has taken a back seat in all countries including the USA that has a general election this year.

    The NUJ also applauds some affluent Nigerians, religious organisations, NGOs, development partners, the public and private sectors that have donated funds to support the covid-19 fight and calls on others within and outside the country to emulate the gesture.

    As a result of experiences in the past in Nigeria, the NUJ wishes to put all on notice, that the Union as watch dog of the society is set to raise at the background, high proflie investigative reporters drawn from the print, electronic and social media to track, monitor very closely every income and expenditure of all funds raised for the purposes of managing the covid-19. Our scope of coverage will cover all tiers and levels of government. It must be made clear that the NUJ will hold accountable all those saddled with the responsibility of handling public funds during this period.

    While calling for more sustained palliatives for the poor and hungry in society, efficient distribution to all parts of the country, the Union appeals to all citizens to give their full cooperation to all lawful ordes to curb the spread of this virus.