By Stella Okoh-Esene
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council held its Monthly General Congress on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at their Headquarters in Utako, Abuja.In attendance at the Meeting were more than 450 Members of the Union. The atmosphere at the Meeting was calm and relaxed, all through the Course of the Congress, until during the State of the Union/Nation when the attention of the Union was drawn to an affront on the Union’s Social Media Handles by a past Chairman of the FCT Council, who was said to have hacked into its Facebook and Twitter Handles and altered the name from ‘NUJ FCT Council’ to ‘Nigeria Media Group’ as well as the Union’s Logo. Attached Below is evidence of his usual act of impersonation
In response, Members, in adopting a motion on the floor of the Congress, condemned in the strongest language possible the wilful and destructive actions of the former Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, whose administration they noted was yet to account for his audited statements of Affairs during his time in Office and that of his protege, Comr. Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen who succeeded him before the end of his second Term from 2023-2024. While warning Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, the former Chairman of Council, to desist from inviting the Union into a needless conflict that may never end in his favour, the Union instructed the State Working Committee under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike to immediately refer the matter to the Police for investigation in line with the the Cyber Crime Act of 2024 as Amended. The Congress called on Emmanuel Ogbeche and all those who are bent on derailing the current administration of the Union to stay off. Council said they will not be deterred no matter how hard they try.
The Union was adequately briefed on clandestine and surreptitious moves by some disgruntled members led by Comrade Emeka Nze of the Blueprint Newspaper and JohnChuks Onuahim. A member, Comrade Osisam Ede of Correspondents Chapel drew the attention of the Union to a wound inflicted on his mouth by Comrade Emeka Nzeh who also sent him the message that they are coming for an unlawful takeover of the Union. In the same vein, another member called the attention of the Union to plans by the disgruntled members who have vowed to do everything possible under the sun to drag the name of the Union into the mud.
In response, members while overwhelmingly calling for the suspension of all the recalcitrant members of the Union also heeded the legal counsel of the Counsel’s Legal Adviser that such action should follow the Constitutional path which gives all the accused persons the right to be heard under the NUJ Constitution. Consequently, the Union referred Comrades Emeka Nze, Johnchuks along with their cohorts to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for quick investigations and Recommendations to the Congress for final decisions and implementations regarding their fate.
On the performance of the present Executive of the Union as currently constituted, the Congress unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Grace Ike led Executive Council. Many members present expressed their confidence in her abilities to give a sense of belonging to them while hoping that she will be allowed by her detractors to focus on good governance of the Union for the greater success of all.
Planned Protest at the FCTA Gate: The Union’s attention was drawn to a planned protest by about 40,000 workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as well as the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The protest is scheduled for Mon June 30 to Wed July 2, 2025. Members of the Union in FCTA and FCDA Chapels will be affected by the protest. In response, the Union which commended the Hon. Minister of FCT, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON (Mr. Projects) also appealed to him to hearken to the demands of the workers describing the minister of FCT as a man of the people and friend of the media.
Signed:
Comr. Emmanuel Tortiv,
Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee.
Comr. Benjamin Edeaghe,
Member
Comr. Odita Sunday,
Member.