State Of The Nation: NUJ Urges President Buhari To Wake Up

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) has joined in the call on the Federal Government to swiftly address some problems facing the country.

The union identified  insecurity, education, health, spiraling inflation, scarcity of petroleum products, power, maintenance of law and order, electioneering, respect for rule of law, food security, arrest, harassment and intimidation of Journalists among others as areas calling for government attention.

The President of the union, Chris Isiguzo at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday expressed dismay at the spate of insecurity in virtually every geopolitical zone in the country.

“It is almost becoming unbelievable the geometric rate of attacks by terrorists/bandits in different locations. The unfortunate development is certainly unacceptable particularly with the proportion and dimension insecurity has assumed in the country to the extent that no one is sure of where is safe any longer,” he said.

According to him, “While terrorism and banditry are ravaging most parts of the North-east, North-west and some states in the North-central geo-political zones, (we are worried at the number of kidnap cases especially in Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states), IPOB agitation and assumed criminality is sweeping across the South-east.

“As at today, Imo and Anambra states have become notorious for disturbing trends in kidnapping and killings.

The security agencies must rise to the occasion especially in Imo state where some arrests have been reportedly made with suspects making mind-boggling  revelations.

“Some suspects are said to be in custody, since December last year and have even allegedly mentioned names of politicians as their sponsors. Such revelations should not just be ignored.

“All those fingered as masterminds of insecurity in the area must be brought to book irrespective of who they are. We are hopeful that the IGP would address these issues as a matter of utmost national importance

“As for Anambra, efforts must be intensified in arresting the rising crime wave in the state.

Apart from the South East, other South-south and South-west parts of the country are not also spared of the activities of the dare devil bandits and kidnappers that kill at will thereby making nonsense of the premium value attached to human life. This cannot continue and must not be allowed to continue.

“Just last Tuesday night, the audacity of these criminal gangs was expressed in a daring raid on the Kuje Maximum Security Prison in Abuja. The Correctional Facility was breached for hours without any reinforcement being sent after the Soldiers and other guards were overpowered.

“According to Correctional Service Officials, over 600 Prisoners escaped, including all the Boko Haram members in detention. Before then, a Presidential convoy conveying an advance party of Officials for the Sallah visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Daura was attacked and it took the Presidential Guards much effort to repel the attackers.

“While we commend the Federal Government, the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their commendable efforts in tackling the situation, we however appeal to the government not to be deterred but to continue in providing the needed support to the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies in the fight against all forms of insecurity. The war will surely be won by Nigeria and the enemies of the country shall be put to shame.

The NUJ President also appealed to President Mohamadu Buhari  to personally wade into the rift between Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) and government to facilitate quick resolution.

“The NUJ wishes to passionately appeal to the good conscience of President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, national interest and for the sake of the future generations of Nigerians, personally wade into the matter to save the country from further embarrassment.

“The country can no longer afford to continue to watch our  youths waste away at home with no end in sight for school resumption .

“The NUJ believes strongly that the personal intervention of Mr. President would go a long way in addressing the issues at stake as against what looks like the back and fort dance steps around the subject matter by some officials of government.

‘We equally appeal to the leadership and members of ASUU to in the overall interest of the nation, accept some of the offers the federal government is proposing to allow for the resumption of academic activities in the Universities,” the NUJ president said.