The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-East Zone C, has expressed concern over the welfare and safety of journalists in the region, calling on governments, security agencies and media proprietors to improve their working conditions, ensure prompt payment of salaries and provide adequate protection for media practitioners.
The Union made the call in a 13-point communiqué issued at the end of its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Hall, NUJ Press Centre, Enugu, under the chairmanship of the Zonal Vice President, Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, JP.
The meeting, attended by Chairmen and Secretaries of the five state councils in the South-East, also urged stakeholders to recognise the critical role of journalists in nation-building and create an enabling environment for the profession to thrive.
ZEC further reaffirmed the commitment of journalists in the region to professionalism, objectivity and developmental journalism, urging members to shun fake news, brown-envelope journalism and divisive reportage capable of threatening peace and unity.
The Council also inaugurated a five-man committee to plan a South-East Media Summit, with Comrade Obinna Ogbuka as Chairman, Comrades Ifeanyi Nwanguma and Emeka Odogwu as Co-Chairmen, Comrade Chinaza Peculiar Chukwunenye as Secretary, and Comrade Ikechukwu Onuegbu as member.
It also appealed to South-East governors to sustain their support for NUJ state councils and NAWOJ, while condemning attacks among political stakeholders in the region and urging political actors to place the collective interest of the South-East above partisan differences.
The Council commended the Enugu State Government for providing a peaceful and media-friendly environment, while applauding the Enugu NUJ Council for the successful hosting of its Press Week Grand Finale and the ZEC meeting.
It equally commended the Abia NUJ Council for its efforts towards completing its permanent secretariat, appealing to the Abia State Government to assist in bringing the project to completion. The Anambra State Council was also praised for its cooperative society initiative and recognition of veteran journalists.
The communiqué, signed by Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, JP, Zonal Vice President, and Comrade Emmanuel Idam Irem KSJI, Zonal Secretary, further congratulated NAWOJ members from the South-East who emerged unopposed in the forthcoming Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Kano State.
The Council urged NAWOJ state chairpersons to work in harmony with their respective NUJ state leadership and called on all state councils to accord appropriate recognition to national and zonal leaders during their activities.
(Independent Voice)
