By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Indications have emerged that the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Correspondents Chapel Anambra State may toe a similar path with their Kano State counterparts, as they have served notice of their intentions to shun all Anambra state Government related activities.
The Source reports that the Kano NUJ Correspondents Chapel had on Monday June, 10, 2024, at a Congress meeting voted to boycott all activities involving Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ,his administration, and those of his officials, citing alleged ill-treatment, harassment, intimidation assaults and unfavorable working conditions for journalists in the State as reasons.
Its Anambra counterparts,on Tuesday June 11 ,warned that unless there is a demonstrable evidence suggesting Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s readiness to create an enabling environment for the discharge of their duties soonest ,they may be forced to turn their back on him and his administration.
The Anambra NUJ Correspondents Chapel in a statement issued by Chief Chuks Ilozie and Lady Tochukwu Ifejika Chairman and Secretary respectively, said that since mounting the saddle, Governor Soludo has rejected all overtures to carry them along .
They have therefore insisted that a continued failure to see them as partners in the task of building Anambra, will be reciprocated ,as they are set to shun all activities involving him and his Government.
“Having reviewed our relationship with the Governor of Anambra state Prof.Chukwuma Soludo and those of his media team ,including the Commissioner for Information ,Sir Paul Nwosu ,and the press secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, for over two years, despite Correspondences. We, therefore, wish to observe as follows.
There is a serious lacuna in the relationship between the Chapel and Government occasioned by nonchalant attitude of the Governor, and his media team towards the Correspondents Chapel .
It baffles us that our Governor can stay for two years without meeting with members of the Correspondents Chapel to intimate Anambra people of his programmes and activities .
Chapel members are bewildered that we are not being carried along in the coverage of Government activities, rather we are fed with press statements .
We, therefore, demand a review of this relationship, to enable us hold Government accountable as required by extant laws .” the NUJ statement partly reads
