NUJ ABS Awka Chapel Executive Pays Courtesy Visit To Information Commissioner, Mefor
By Blessing Dennis
The newly elected executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), ABS Awka Chapel, led by its Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Okonkwo, has paid a courtesy visit to the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and seek support for the continued growth of the Anambra Broadcasting Service.
Accompanying the Chairman were the Vice Chairman, Comrade Uchenna Ifeanyi; the Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Chigbata; the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Mary Chidiogo; the Financial Secretary, Comrade Blessing Dennis; and Comrade Tochukwu Ochie.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Okonkwo said the visit was to formally introduce the newly elected executive to the Commissioner and solicit the support of the Ministry in addressing the challenges confronting the station, while identifying the deteriorating condition of the newsroom and production complex, including the leaking roof, poor working environment, and other infrastructural deficiencies, as major issues affecting productivity.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the new executive to partnering with the Ministry of Information and the management of ABS in promoting professionalism and advancing the station to greater heights.
Comrade Okonkwo appealed to the state government to intervene in improving staff welfare and providing a more conducive environment for journalists to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities, and expressed satisfaction that the ABS Awka Chapel now has a democratically elected executive, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening the union and enhancing effective leadership within the chapel.
Responding, Commissioner Mefor congratulated the newly elected executive and commended them for taking the initiative to engage with the Ministry, noting that the media occupies a strategic position in every democratic society.
He stated that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) expressly assigns the press the responsibility of holding government accountable to the people, and described journalism as one of the few professions specifically recognized by the Constitution, while urging journalists to remain professional, objective, and responsible in the discharge of their duties.
The Commissioner encouraged media practitioners to take full advantage of the Freedom of Information Act in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, while assuring the delegation that the concerns raised, particularly those relating to the newsroom, staff welfare, and the overall working environment, would receive the government’s attention.
He also pledged to work closely with the union and the management of ABS to reposition the station for greater efficiency and improved service delivery.
In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the chapel, Comrade Chigbata, appreciated the Commissioner for granting the delegation audience and listening to their concerns, while thanking him for his assurance to inspect the newsroom, support efforts to improve the working environment, and continue projecting the achievements of the Soludo administration.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ ABS Awka Chapel executive to working harmoniously with the Ministry of Information and the management of ABS in promoting excellence, professionalism, and the continued growth of the station.
