Nigeria Union of Journalists Refutes Ikwerre LGA Claims... Demands Apology

The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has refuted recent claims made by the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area,Mr. Samuel Nwanosike that some persons under the guise of the union are spreading fake rumors about the council and security situations in the Area. The council chairman through its media officer , Mr. Chris Omodu in a press release alleged that some union members were disseminating fake news about the Chief Security officer,CSO of the LGA, Mr. Samuel Oboni who they alleged was using local Vigilante group to arrest and intimidate innocent citizens of the Area. In a press statement signed by the Secretary Nigeria Union of Journalists Rivers State Council, Mr. Ike Wigodo describe the statement credited to Mr. Omodu as reckless, frivolous, unverifiable and totally untrue, adding that the statement negates what the Union represents. Mr. Wigodo frowned at the statement and demands an unreserved apology from Ikwerre Local Government Area. The statement below: PRESS RELEASE 20TH JULY, 2020 Rivers NUJ Refutes Ikwerre LGA Claims The attention of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has been drawn to a statement in the social media, by one Chris Omodu, the Media Officer to the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike, that criminals use the platform of the NUJ to sabotage government's efforts at fighting insecurity. The NUJ, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ike Wigodo, on Monday, took exception to the statement, describing it as reckless, frivolous, unverifiable and totally untrue, adding that the statement negates what the Union represents. "The Rivers State Council of NUJ wishes to state unequivocally that it has no criminals in its fold and would never sabotage government's efforts in the area of security or in any other areas of human and capital development. "NUJ is made up of distinguished media practitioners whose membership is drawn from various accredited chapels and is guided by rules. It, therefore, harbours no criminals in its fold as the press statement by Mr Omodu ignorantly and erroneously portrayed. "The Rivers State Council of NUJ also wishes to inform the author of the reckless statement that it runs no newspaper, radio or TV stations of its own in the State and therefore can not take responsibility for what goes on in various media outlets, let alone on social media. "It is very unfortunate that a media officer as Mr Omodu claims to be, could not tell the difference between the NUJ and media organisations, or between NUJ platform and the social media. "The high level of ignorance and unprofessionalism displayed by Mr Omodu has further vindicated the NUJ's all-time admonition to public office holders to always appoint only qualified professional media practitioners as their media officers", the NUJ said. The NUJ, therefore, warned Mr Omodu and his sponsors not to drag the Union into any imbroglio concerning a local government council chairman or any other person, in that matter. The statement reiterated that the NUJ is a recognised union of responsible, cultured and well behaved media practitioners and would never involve or encourage its members to engage in any acts inimical to the fight against insecurity. The NUJ frowned at Mr Omodu's allegations and demanded an unreserved apology from the Ikwerre Local Government Council. Ike Wigodo Secretary, NUJ, Rivers State 08068762396 ikewigos@yahoo.com