…DOPF Not A Chapel, You Cannot Dictate To State Working Committee Of NUJ
By SouthernVoicenews
Arising from her monthly Congress held today, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the State Secretariat of the union along the Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba, the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, declared that a body that styled itself as Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) is not a chapel under Delta NUJ nor an affiliate of the Union to challenge the decisions of its leadership.
In a communique signed by the State Chairman of the Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and his Secretary, Comrade Patrick Ochei, said, Congress-in-Session took strong exception to the unwarranted attacks by members of the Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) on the Comrade Michael Ikeogwu leadership of the State Council of the NUJ.
The Communique reads as follows;Congress after deliberating on various issues affecting the union and society, arrived at the following:
1. Congress-in-Session commends His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, for his robust relationship with the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and by extension, his media managers.
Also, Congress-in-Session, specially thanks the Governor for harkening to the request made by the union to formalize the appointment of over sixty-five (65) workers in DBS, Asaba. It however, appeals for this kind gesture to be extended to their counterparts in DBS, Warri and the Pointer Newspapers.
2. Congress-in-Session expresses confidence in the manner in which the State Working Committee (SWC) has managed the affairs of the union.
3. Congress-in-Session took strong exception to the unwarranted attacks by members of the Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) on the Comrade Michael Ikeogwu leadership of the State Council.
It notes that DOPF is not a chapel under Delta NUJ nor an affiliate of the Union to challenge the decisions of the leadership. See Article 3 Subsection 3 (D) of the NUJ Constitution.
4. In apparent display of acceptability of the SWC working relationship with members, Congress-in-Session ratifies the vote of confidence passed by SEC-in-Session on the Comrade Michael Ikeogwu led administration.
5. Congress-in-Session commends journalists for adhering to the ethics of the profession before, during and after the just concluded 2023 general elections.
6. Congress-in-Session approves April 2023 for membership verification exercise across all chapels in the state with a view to sanitizing the union.
7.Congress-in-Session, in strong terms, condemns all forms of rapes, domestic violence and defilement on women and girl children; thereby urging security agencies to ensure that perpetrators of these criminal acts are often brought to justice.
8. On a sad note, Congress-in-Session after observing a minute of silence, condoles with the family of Late Comrade Ken Okoturo, an investor at the Delta NUJ press centre, over his unfortunate demise after a brief illness, on April 1, 2023.
Comr. Michael Ikeogwu NUJ ChairmanDelta State Council
Comr. Patrick Ochei NUJ Secretary Delta State Council
Communiqué Drafting Committee:
1. Comrade Andy Emephia Chairman
2. Comrade Dominic Adewale Secretary
3. Comrade Nelson Agbajor Member