BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Asaba correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta state council, has blacklisted the immediate former governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa in the reportage of activities related to him as well as the laundering of his image.
The union also issued a six-month suspension warning on any member who flouts the directive.
Following an enlarged monthly meeting held at its secretariat on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, the union described the immediate past governor as “unfriendly” to the media, especially members of the correspondents chapels in the state who promoted activities of his government for eight years without any show of “love”.
In a six-point communique issued at the end of its three-hour meeting attended by members from the print, broadcast and online media organisations, the union resolved as follows.
“That no member of the chapel should cover any event or use any press release or statements by media aides to the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and that such event or release is about the image laundering of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
“That the media adviser to the immediate past governor, Olise Ifeajika who was a former chairman of the chapel, failed to represent the interest of the chapel during his tenure as Chief Press Secretary.
“That any member of the chapel that acts contrary to the resolutions will be suspended for a period not less than six months without any benefits accruing to members.
“That the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and a member of the chapel as well as National Ex-Officio of NUJ, Comrade Festus Ahon is worthy of the appointment and is hereby congratulated.
“That the unity of the chapel executive, and members cannot be compromised. That members of the chapel should make themselves available for the NUJ screening with the necessary credentials and documents.”
