Delta NUJ Suspends 25 Journalists Indefinitely Over Anti-union Activities

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has announced the immediate suspension of 17 of its members and 8 other yet to be registered journalists from the council activities over alleged anti-union practices.

BIGPEN Online understands that the suspension followed the violation of an embargo placed on attendance of a certain Delta Police Command get-to-gather party in Asaba, the state capital which the journalists reportedly undermined.

The council, in a statement by its Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Churchill Oyowe, said that the action of the suspended members was “an open challenge to test the might of the leadership in the state”.

The statement said that the council decided to prove to the suspended persons that “it does not just bark as warning but bite with demonstrable sanctions”.

According to the council, “The implications of the indefinite suspension is that the affected persons are barred from all activities of the union, including attendance of congresses at the chapel and state levels, denial from participation in elections, press briefings and other programmes organized by the council.

“Those who are holding elective or appointive positions also stand suspended from such positions. Above all, they cannot get any benefit from the council as long as the indefinite suspension remains in force.

“The affected members will be communicated personally in due course through their respective chapels of the indefinite suspension place on them while the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee is invited to look into their case.

“The national secretariat of the union is already aware of this development and if need be, the council shall not hesitate to communicate the employers of the affected persons for appropriate disciplinary actions. No one is above the law.

The council chairman in a telephone conversation said that the underlisted members were warned to stay away from the assignment but “they undermine the union and went ahead to violate the order probably to test our might”.

Below is the list of those suspended from the union and its activities:

1. Ebere Obiakor -AIT
2. Alphonsus Agborh- Tribune
3. Austin Azu-Crown/Kpoko FM
4. Amaechi Okwara- Blueprint
5. Anne Eluwa- Pilot
6. Kent Enweliku- Auditor ICC
7. Felix Igbekoyi- Daily Independent/Immediate Past Vice Chairman of the Council
8. Mercy- Business Day
9. Michael Olaniyi- Daily Independent
10. Matthew Ochei- Punch/Treasurer, Asaba Correspondent
11. Barry Agbanigbi- Champion
12. Andy Akeni- Pointer
13. Aiwerie Okungbowa- Nation
14. Chimdi Ogor- Wazobia
15. Nosa Akenzua- Leadership
16. Dew Wilson- DBS Asaba
17. Ejime Udueme- DBS Asaba
    Others not currently listed as NUJ members
18. Lawrence- AIT
19. Charles Umejei- Grassroots Trumpet
20. Victor Ajunwa- Orient Daily
21. Shola Charles-
22. Chijioke- Pointer Casual
23. Fred Odu- Gallant Reporters
24. Tony Okunebe- Radial
25. Emeka Akatobi-