NUJ to boycott Abia LG chairman’s activities over disrespect
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
For disrespecting the Journalism profession, as well as members of the fourth estate of the realm, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council has resolved to boycott all activities and engagements of the Umuahia North Council Chairman as well as that of the Local Government Area.
This is contained in a 10-point Communique issued at the end of the her monthly Congress for the month June, 2025 even as the union barred journalists from capturing him or his Council in their reports whatsoever henceforth in all conventional Media.
The Congress which was well attended by members from the various Chapels and chaired by the Council Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, had noted with dismay, insults hurled at journalists on environmental sanitation duty of May 31, 2025, by the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Smart Iheoma, wherein he, not only abused Abia journalists, calling them unprintable names, including “imbeciles” and “criminals,” but also threatened to bar them from covering state government functions.
The union condemned such action of an elected official of government even as it stated that it was unbecoming of a person in such a exalted office.
The Abia State Counciil of the NUJ further warned that any registered member of Abia State NUJ who goes against this resolution on the Chairman of Umuahia North LGA, including the medium that covers or reports events emanating there from, will be severely sanctioned.
It noted that the Council has enjoyed a very robust and cordial relationship with Abia State Government and will continue to do so but will not tolerate such actions that disrespects the noble and onerous responsibility of informing, educating and entertaining resting on the shoulders of journalists as did the Umuahia North Council Chairman.