NUJ Disowns Punch, ThisDay And The Sun Correspondents In Nasarawa State



The Oasis Reporters
December 26, 2018
By Moses Gbande
The internal wrangling currently facing the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council has resulted into the sacking of three of its members.
Our Correspondent reports that sequel to the beating of two of its members by men of the NSCDC Nasarawa State Command, the NUJ staged a protest to send a signal that they were not pleased with such actions.
They went further to write to the state government to call the Command to order, but their request fell on the deaf ears of Governor Almakura, thereby compelling the Correspondents’ Chapel in the state, resolving to boycott every coverage of government activities.
Unfortunately, while they were doing this as measures aimed at safeguarding her members from unwarranted attacks by some members of the public, some journalists amongst them went further to engage in an ‘unholy romance’ with the state government by allegedly spreading false propaganda against the leadership of the Chapel as well as attending government functions secretly.
It was gathered that when it came to the knowledge of the leadership, three members of the Union, Umar Mohammed (Punch), Linus Ooya (Sun) and Ignawase Ukum of ThisDay were placed on three months suspension according to the laws of the Union for violation of the same order.
But the twist according to a statement signed by the Chairman of the chapel, Abubakar Suleiman and made available to Newsmen in Lafia, it said members of the union unanimously took the decision during a meeting.
The statement said Mr Umar Mohammed of the Punch newspaper, Linus Oota of Sun and Mr Igbawase Ukumba of ThisDay Newspaper, amidst the suspension have not shown any remorse but has joined forces with some unregistered members to form a chapel of their own which is against the rules of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
“Even while they were suspended, rather than show remorse, they are trying to put the union in bad light by creating impression that the union was fighting the government,” it added.
The statement which said the state Council of NUJ has lifted the boycott order on coverage of activities of the state government and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and has directed its members to resume their normal duties while negotiations on the matter that brought about the embargo continues.
The statement further stated that the union will continue to contribute its quota to the development of the state by reporting activities in line with the ethics of the profession.




