Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
May 21, 2023.
The Borno State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed concern over the environmental issues that affect people’s health and other living conditions.
According to the Union, drainage facilities in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere council have been blocked along with other environmental degradation across the state.
The Council raised the alarm, at the weekend (Saturday), in communique issued at the end of a Congress meeting held at a press centre, Maiduguri.
The NUJ, therefore, urged the State government to take immediate measures against the flooding of Maiduguri metropolis and Jere council, as recently alerted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that Borno and 11 other states in the North will experience thunderstorms and flooding this month.
While expressing concern about the rising rates of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the state, the Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Dauda Iliya, called on the security agencies, governments, parents and guardians to fulfill their responsibilities in addressing crimes and violence among youths.
Iliya also unveiled several training and capacity building programs which members have already benefited from.
He pledged that more of such training programs will be organised for the over 200 council members in the State.
On professionalism, he said: “An official letter be written to the Head of Service, Borno State to ensure that NUJ is recognized as a professional body.”
He noted that the Borno Radio Television (BRTV) Information Chapel; are professional colleagues who were neglected of their civic rights.
Continued; “We’ve raised serious concerns about the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have resorted to begging on the streets,” stating that the State Government should provide proper care and needs of the displaced persons
Iliya also lamented the frequent power outages at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and other health institutions.
He, therefore, called the State government and the management of the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) to take action in addressing the life-threatening challenges.
The Congress agreed to appoint a new Patron of the Union in the state; following the vacuum created by the demise of the former Patron Late Dr. Zannah Bukar Umaru Mandara, the Zannah Dujima of Borno.
“We’ve agreed to pay a courtesy visit to NUJ Borno Council’s life-patron, Amb. Mahmud Ahmed,” he said.
End.
