News
NUJ splits into two ..as Association of Nigeria Journalists emerges
…says NUJ president now a sole administrator
There seems to be more trouble within the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) under the leadership of Mr Chris Isiguzo, as a large number of journalists across the country have decided to form a new association known as Association of Nigerian Journalists(ANJ).
According to the Proterm Executive Secretary of the new group, Mr Benson Agwu, the decision to float a new association was born out of the high-handedness and desperate desire for personal vandetta exhibited by NUJ President, Mr Chris Isiguzo since his assumption of office.
He said that the main aim of the association was to restore the dignity of journalism practice in Nigeria which had been wrecked by Isiguzo whose academic qualification had remained a suspect.
Part of the resolution of the group during its first meeting which held virtually reads: “Concerned practising Journalists across Nigeria have risen from emergency virtual meeting and keenly observed with disgust that for over two years running, the way and manner the incumbent leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has drifted from the dictates of our noble professional union and journalism practice to desperate aggressive pursuit of personal vendatta against practising members on one side and States Executive Council (SEC) members on the other side.
“This is besides the ochestration of ranckerious acrimony by the leadership against its membership. This in no mean saying the fact that all these have ravaged the spirit of unionism at the union’s eachelon council.
“The NUJ President has become a sole administrator and nobody in either the NEC or CWC dare to speak out. The NEC and CWC seem to have been subsumed and conquered by the President whose academic qualification has remained a suspect.
“The NUJ constitution has long been abandoned, just as leadership is being imposed on all the Councils where the State Executive Councils (SEC) or State Working Committee (SWC) do not curry the favour of the union’s national leadership. And nobody can say a word for fear of being suspended indefinitely.
“A case in point is how the Council Chairman of Zamfara State was recently forced to resign to avert impeachment on him secured by the NUJ national President.
“The chairman of Kaduna was forced to apologise to the Leadership of NUJ for sharing a news story questioning veracity of the certificate with which the incumbent President tendered and on which he vied and was returned as elected President of the NUJ. Yet, the issue of his qualification cannot be discussed because if any NEC/CEC dares raise it risks indefinite suspension.
“Anarchy has taken over. Impunity is now the order of the day. Unfortunately no journalist is at home to save the once hallowed union. Court judgements against the union are not obeyed neither are they discussed at NEC/CWC meetings. Yet, there are over 15 cases pending and petitions at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
“That it is hereby resolved that a new umbrella body of practising journalists be registered as Association of Nigerian Journalists, ANJ. That it is detestable to note in particular, that from the outset of the incumbent leadership no Chapel or State Council in the South East have held free elections.
“This is outright undemocratic and runs foul of union practice across the globe. The case is not different at the South West zone; the NUJ President must at all times install SEC members that shall abide by his biddings. These have plunged the Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Enugu States among other Councils into unnecessary acrimony and resources waste in a letigious sojourn.
“That this is the first in history of the NUJ that an incumbent leadership is under criminal investigation by the ICPC and upon that NUJ NEC/SWC leadership has been on trial in several courts over his alleged certificate forgery but the entire NEC/CWC members look elsewhere in search of sinecure where none exists.
“That the leadership of NEC inordinately secured the suspension of an incumbent Vice President, South East, denying the zone fair representation at the NEC, an act which a court of competent jurisdiction has quashed and awarded a paltry sum of N5m as cost of litigation, but the NEC in utter disregard of that court order ignored its compliance and neither has there been any appeal in that respect, NEC chose to tow the line of criminal neglect of a subsisting court order.
“At the recent NEC meeting in Asaba, Delta State, the same President opted to clamp another suspension on the Vice President of zone B for yet to be disclosed aggression, but was compelled to rescind its move by a rumoured move to pass a Vote of no Confidence on its leadership. To counter such move, NUJ leadership lobbied for a reverse, and instead a voice vote of Vote of Confidence was reluctantly adopted to save a face.
“Therefore, it is with utter dismay that some practising journalists across the nation opted for the registration of another umbrella body that shall champion the professionalization of journalism practice in the country rather than the present use of the union as a venture for ego trip and personal aggrandizement at the detriment of other media practitioners at large.
He further revealed that registration into the new association was on across states councils for interested members who share the same discerning view of the veterans. He said that contacts of the different states councils will soon be made public for interested members.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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