NUJ Condemns Militarisation of South East by FG, Calls For a Stop 
The South East Zonal Executive Committee, ZEC, zone c, of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, has called on the federal government to end the seeming militarisation of the region by its security agencies and give the people a breathing space to go about their legitimate businesses without fear
The ZEC made the call as part of its communique after a meeting in Awka, Anambra State to deliberate on issues affecting the Union and the zone in particular, noting that “it is embarrassing to see police,NSCDC and army checkpoints within one kilometer intervals along the Federal and State roads in the zone as if there is a raging war in the zone”.
FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNIQUE:
*A communique issued at the end of the Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zone C (South East) held at Double Bliss Hotel, Awka, Anambra State on July 30th, 2024.*
The members of the Zonal Executive Committee comprising Chairmen and Secretaries from the five Councils in Zone C and all the National Officers of NUJ including NAWOJ from the Zone, after deliberating on issues affecting the Union and the Zone resolved as follows;
1. ZEC called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Government to come up with workable solutions to the stifling economic conditions of Nigerian citizens.
2. ZEC commended South East Governors for their efforts to curb the menace of insecurity in the Zone, urging them to intensify measures to return the Zone as the most peaceful and investor-friendly Zone in Nigeria.
3. ZEC urged the South East Governors to work in collaboration and create a conducive environment for investors to grow the economy of the Zone.
4. ZEC tasked South East Business men/women and Investors to imbibe the ‘Aku ruo ulo’ philosophy by investing in the Zone in order to help create jobs for the teeming youth that are graduating from the various higher institutions across the Zone.
5. ZEC frowned at the militarization of the entire South East Zone by military and paramilitary personnel. Members said it is embarrassing to see police, NSCDC and army checkpoints within one kilometer intervals along the Federal and State roads in the zone as if there is a raging war in the Zone.
6. ZEC called on army and police authorities at the Federal level to dismantle most of these checkpoints as many commuters pass through humiliations and oppressions daily in the hands of the security personnel, which are reasons that investors are afraid to invest in the Zone.
7. ZEC members commended the NUJ National President, Chief Dr Chris Isiguzo, MFR for his sterling leadership qualities which have repositioned the Union as a professional body in Nigeria.
8. ZEC members congratulated Achike Chude and Tita Onyebuchi Nze who are from the Zone, on their emergence as National Secretary and National Assistant Secretary for the NUJ respectively. They expressed confidence that they will not disappoint the Union and Zone C.
9. ZEC equally expressed satisfaction with the leadership of the NUJ in Zone C (South East) and unanimously endorsed Cimrade (Sir) Emmanuel Ifesinachi and Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku for another term in office as Zonal Vice President and Zonal Secretary respectively.
Signed
Emmanuel Ifesinachi (KSJI,JP)
Vice President
Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku
Zonal Secretary.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
