By Jonathan Okpanachi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, South East Zonal Executive Committee, ZEC, Zone C, has called on the federal government to end the militarisation of the region by its security agencies.
NUJ further enjoined the federal government to give the people of the zone ” breathing space to go about their legitimate businesses without fear”.
ZEC made the call in its communique after a meeting in Awka, Anambra State, to deliberate on issues affecting the union and the zone in particular.
“It is embarrassing to see police, NSCDC and army checkpoints within one kilometre intervals along the federal and state roads in the zone as if there is a raging war in the zone,” the group noted
The group’s communique was signed by its vice President , Emmanuel Ifesinachi, and zonal secretary, Cmrade Ezenwa Adiuku.
In the communique, ZEC called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government to come up with workable solutions to the stifling economic conditions of Nigerian citizens.
It also commended South East governors for their efforts to curb the menace of insecurity in the zone, urging them to intensify measures to return the zone as the most peaceful and investor-friendly zone in Nigeria.
It read, “ZEC urged the South East governors to work in collaboration and create a conducive environment for investors to grow the economy of the zone.
“ZEC tasked South East business men/women and investors to imbibe the ‘Aku ruo ulo’ philosophy by investing in the zone in order to help create jobs for the teeming youth that are graduating from the various higher institutions across the zone.
“ZEC frowned at the militarization of the entire South East Zone by military and paramilitary personnel. Members said it is embarrassing to see police, NSCDC and army checkpoints within one kilometer intervals along the federal and state roads in the zone as if there is a raging war in the zone.”
It called on army and police authorities at the federal level to dismantle most of these checkpoints as many commuters pass through humiliations and oppressions daily in the hands of the security personnel, which are reasons that investors are afraid to invest in the Zone.
It continued, “ZEC members commended the NUJ National President, Chief Dr Chris Isiguzo, for his sterling leadership qualities which have repositioned the union as a professional body in Nigeria.
“ZEC members congratulated Achike Chude and Tita Onyebuchi Nze, who are from the Zone, on their emergence as National Secretary and National Assistant Secretary for the NUJ respectively. They expressed confidence that they will not disappoint the Union and Zone C.
“ZEC equally expressed satisfaction with the leadership of the NUJ in Zone C (South East) and unanimously endorsed Comrade (Sir) Emmanuel Ifesinachi and Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku for another term in office as Zonal Vice President and Zonal Secretary respectively.”
