Killings: NUJ Berates Buhari, Demands Sack Of Service Chiefs

The Nigerian Union of Journalists [NUJ] has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over the “recent mass killings of innocent and defenseless citizens in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government areas of the state”.

NUJ made the condemnatory remarks in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting of the NUJ held at Sokoto, Sokoto State on Saturday June 30th, 2018.

The meeting was attended by National Officers of the Union, as well as State Councils Officers and deliberated extensively on various issues.

During the meeting, NUJ noted that “the Service Chiefs have continued to display lack of capacity and willingness to perform their responsibility” and appealed to President Buhari to sack them with immediate effect.

In the communiqué signed by Shuaibu Usman Leman and National Secretary, Walin Shadalafiya, NUJ resolved as follows:

• NEC commiserates with the Government and people of Plateau State over the recent mass killings of innocent and defenseless citizens in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government areas of the state. NEC is also worried at the dangerous dimension the wanton killings and destruction of property are taking and urges the Federal Government to immediately review and overhaul the security architecture of the country.
• ·         The meeting notes that the Service Chiefs have continued to display lack of capacity and willingness to perform their assigned responsibility in view of the continuous bloodletting in the country and NEC appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari to remove them immediately and replace them with more competent persons.
• ·         The prevalence of lack of decorum by some opinion leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders in the country is a worrisome issue that should be curtailed forthwith. Instead of preaching peace and peaceful co-existence, some religious leaders preach intorence which will not augar well for the cohesion of the country. NEC advises these leaders to be cautious of their utterances at all times.
• Ahead of the upcoming election in Ekiti State on July 14, 2018, NEC calls on security agencies not to harass Journalists or prevent them from carrying out their constitutional duties. The Union condemns previous attacks on Journalists covering elections in the state and says that it will not condone any acts of impunity against Journalists in the country.
• The Union calls on the Federal Government to immediately charge Jones Abiri, publisher of Weekly Source Magazine to court to enable him defend himself of whatever crime he allegedly committed or release him unconditionally. Jones Abiri was picked up in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by the Department of State Security and is being detained for nearly two years now.
• NEC commends media stakeholders for successfully hosting the 2018 World Congress of International Press Institute in Abuja last month, with the theme: “Why Good Journalism Matters.” In the spirit of promoting quality conscience Journalism, NEC appeals to media stakeholders to immediately convene a meeting to recommend an enhanced media salary structure for professionals in the sector.
• NEC frowns at purveyors of fake news on various social media platforms and warns that mainstream media professionals should be more thorough and circumspect in their work to avoid being used to promote hate speech and other divisive tendencies.
• The report of the Lagos Council Abaren Land was received and deliberated on. NEC directs that a committee be set up to advise it on the proper line of action to take.
• A nine member Electoral Committee was set up to organize and conduct election into the various national offices of the Union within 90 days. NEC also approves Abeokuta, Ogun State as venue for the 6th Triennial Delegates Conference 2018.
• NEC approves the lifting of the six months suspension on the former Benue Council Chairman, Kris Atsaka.
• NEC expresses appreciation to Sokoto Council of the Union for hosting the NEC meeting and commends the Sokoto State Government for its financial assistance towards the success of the meeting.