The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed sadness over the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country leading to loss of life, livestock and properties, and called on the federal government to bring the clashes to an end.
So far, the clashes have led to loss of thousands of lives and properties worth millions of naira.
In a communiqué issued Saturday by the National Executive Council of the union after a four-day meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the meeting frowned at the renewed cases of kidnappings especially in Kaduna and Niger States, urging government to improve security and punish offenders.
The communiqué noted “The meeting expresses worry over the continued owing of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities by various state governments spanning many months, and calls on the affected governors to clear these salaries especially to media workers.
“The meeting also calls for judicious use of bailout funds given to the state governments for the payment of salaries and emoluments of the state workers,” the communique stated.
In a communiqué signed by Shuaibu Usman Leman, the union’s National Secretary, NEC members decried the worsening condition of Nigerian roads, and called on the federal government to rehabilitate roads across the country.
NEC lauded the Federal Government for repatriating Nigerians stranded in Libya, but urged for more effort in bringing all stranded Nigerians back home.
The members condemned the utterances of Senator Ben Murray Bruce, who had called for the sale of FRCN, NTA, VON and other federal media houses and demanded an unreserved apology from the Senator.
The meeting was attended by the national officers, 32 state councils of the union and FCT. The theme of the meeting was: The Media, Democracy and National Development.
