ENUGU: Worried by incessant cases of professional misconducts amongst its members, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu state council, on Tuesday December 30, 2008, sent one of its own, Nzomiwu Emmanuel, on twelve months suspension. Nzomiwu works as a reporter to Daily Independent newspaper, based in Lagos-Nigeria.
According to a communiqué rolled out at the end of its congress, the union said the decision to sanction Nzomiwu is based on recommendations of its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee which heavily indicted Nzomiwu. Apart from twelve months suspension, the committee’s report, signed by its chairman, Uba Aham, also, recommended the embattled journalist to the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union at the end of his one year suspension. The suspension is supposed to elapse in December of 2009.
Part of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee’s report said: “The committee has no doubt that Nzomiwu Emmanuel exhibits unruly and extreme unprofessional conducts in his journalism practice. From his conducts, one safely concludes that Nzomiwu is one of those ‘bag eggs’ dragging journalism profession to the mud. Nzomiwu’s actions, especially when angry, portray him as being bestial, and, therefore, unfit to have, in the first instance, engaged in the practice of this noble profession. Looking at Nzomiwu’s several instances of bestial behaviors in the course of his journalism practice, it stands to reason that the ideal place of work for him ought to have either been in a motor park or a market square. A bully he seems, Nzomiwu Emmanuel is miles away from complying with ethical considerations of journalism profession, a situation that had led him to quarrelsomeness and pugilism”.
Warning that it would no longer condone any form of deviant behaviors from its members, the union used the opportunity of the congress to appoint a 3-man Credentials Committee to conduct a fresh election in the council on or before February 20, 2009. Membership of the committee included Barrister Cyprian Madu (Daily Star), Chairman, Esomchi Nebo (Radio Nigeria) member and Chizoba Anuforom (Voice of Nigeria) Secretary.
A highlight of the congress was a vote of confidence passed on Ossy Rockefeller Ogboso leadership by the membership of the union in the state. The congress commended Ogboso’s executive for bringing back the long eluded peace and sanity to the union, as well as giving bonafide members hope and sense of belonging.
The union, in the communiqué signed by Mike Okoh, secretary of the council, Charles Akagu, chairman of Daily Star chapel, Ifeanyi Egbo of Enugu State Broadcasting Service and Adaobi Mmayie of Radio Nigeria, expressed gratitude to Governor Sullivan Chime for yearly sponsorship of some journalists to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, in addition to granting the union a certificate of occupancy for its Press Centre, located on Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The Congress, also, commended the judiciary in Enugu state for observing the rule of law in deciding a legal suit filed against incumbent Ogboso leadership by an ex-chairman, Mr. Louis Dilibe, and a few others. The congress described the judgment which was in its favor as marvelous and victory well deserved.
The members of the pen profession were, similarly, full of thanks for Prince Arthur Ezeh (Eze N’Ukpo) for his matchless philanthropic gestures towards the union, including the 1997 lavish renovation of the press centre, and his recent donation of a total donation of N6 million for the upkeep of the union. Out of the said amount, Prince Arthur Eze directed the purchase of N2 million worth of sound proof generator for the supply of electricity to the council.
The union, also, called on members to upgrade and sharpen their skills for enhanced productivity by enrolling in the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) capacity building courses which will, in due course, commence at the Enugu council. The congress expressed disappointment that some members were yet to pay their professional fees and update their membership despite intensive campaigns to that effect by the national leadership of the union. The meeting, therefore, urged members concerned to immediately comply with the on-going registration exercise, as being in full financial standing has become a sine-qua-non for, not only befitting from the union, but taking part in union’s activities including elections.
The meeting, equally, warned quacks in the journalism profession to look elsewhere for jobs as the law will take its full course on discovery of any incidence of fakery.
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