The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone C, has issued a communiqué at the end of its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Center, Awka, Anambra State, where it addressed pressing issues affecting the union and the Southeast region.
The meeting, which was presided over by the Vice President of Zone C, Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, deliberated extensively on matters of professional ethics, membership obligations, insecurity, and development in the zone.
In the communiqué signed by the Zonal Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Irem, the council directed members to take responsibility for their financial obligations to the union.
“ZEC frowned at the non-payment of check-off/practising fees by members in the zone and directed State Councils to rectify this misnomer, which is dragging the union backwards. Henceforth, ZEC insists that anyone who does not pay check-off dues stands to lose rights and privileges accruable to members of the Union,” the statement read.
The council also warned journalists against bypassing due process in addressing grievances. “Every journalist practising in the zone should desist from channelling their grievances to the national Secretariat without going through the state and zonal offices first,” the communiqué stressed.
On the growing influence of online media, ZEC directed that all online bloggers must formally register with the union through their respective state councils. “Such registration will be forwarded to the zone and national for ratification. This is one of the procedures they must meet to be members of the Union in line with the constitution, or be ready to be sanctioned by the Union,” the communiqué stated.
The meeting further resolved to strengthen internal unity, with a commitment “to work in unity for the purpose of strengthening and uplifting the Union in the zone.”
Commending leadership at both national and state levels, ZEC praised NUJ National President, Comrade Alhasan Yahya, for his efforts in tackling quackery in the profession. The council also lauded the immediate past President, Dr. Chris Iziguzo, for “exhibiting exceptional leadership prowess and effective representation while in office,” adding that he would be collectively honoured by the zone.
Turning to regional security, the council expressed grave concern over rising insecurity in the Southeast. “ZEC expressed worry over the spate of insecurity in the zone and called on the Governors of the Southeast States to expedite action in collaboration with security agencies to curb ugly incidences of killing and destruction of lives and property,” it said.
The council also commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “impactful leadership through massive infrastructural development in the state and for the support to the State NUJ,” urging other governors to prioritize media welfare and partnership for nation-building.
In the political sphere, ZEC urged citizens to seize the ongoing INEC registration exercise. “ZEC called on eligible voters from the South East to take advantage of the ongoing nationwide INEC registration to get themselves registered to make the zone visible in national politics,” the communiqué declared.
Furthermore, the council appealed to Southeast philanthropists and business leaders to invest more in the region to accelerate development. It also commended the federal government for “the ongoing construction and reconstruction works in parts of the South East zone” while urging timely completion and sustainability of the projects.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, with Comrade Chinaza Peculiar John as Secretary and Comrade Ikechukwu Onuegbu as member.
