NUJ Abia Congress Commends Otti, Raises Alarm Over Insecurity, Road Crashes Ahead of 2027 Polls

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Apr 21, 2026

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has commended Governor Alex Otti for granting audience to the State Executive Council, describing the development as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between government and the media.

This formed part of resolutions reached during the Union’s Monthly Congress held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the NUJ Press Centre, Umuahia, under the leadership of the Council Chairman, Chidi Asonye.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Congress noted that the engagement with the governor, which took about three years to actualize, yielded promising assurances and commitments beneficial to the union and the journalism profession in the state. The body lauded the resilience and leadership of Comrade Asonye for pursuing the meeting in the overall interest of members.

The Congress also emphasized the need for professionalism among journalists, urging members to uphold the ethics of the profession and conduct themselves with decorum in the discharge of their duties.

Rising insecurity across major cities, including Umuahia and Aba, dominated discussions at the Congress. The union expressed deep concern over increasing cases of crime and criminality and called on the state government and security agencies to adopt proactive strategies to curb the trend before it escalates further. It also urged residents to play active roles in safeguarding their communities by promptly reporting suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

On road safety, the Congress decried the growing rate of road accidents across the state’s highways and urban centres. It appealed to motorists and commuters to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, avoid reckless driving, and respect road signs. The union further called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement efforts, particularly against over speeding.

With political activities gradually building up ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NUJ advised political actors in the state to play by the rules and avoid actions capable of overheating the polity. It stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability during the electoral process.
The Congress also called on residents to support the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) in sustaining a clean environment by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse. It further urged the agency to step up public sensitization campaigns on proper waste disposal, particularly the bagging of refuse, and to intensify waste collection efforts across Umuahia and other parts of the state.

The communiqué was endorsed by members of the Drafting Committee, led by Imeremba Michael Imeremba, alongside Ifeanyi Ogbonna and Oluchi Franklin-Orji, and duly signed by the Council Secretary, Iyke Onuegbu, and the Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye.