Communique issued at the end of the Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, held on the 29th day of May, 2024, at the NUJ Press Centre, Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba

Arising from the Congress, presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, sundry issues were deliberated on, especially on the state of the state; and the following resolutions were reached:

1. The congress congratulated the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, on his successful one year anniversary in office, praying that under his watch, Delta State will celebrate the MORE agenda of the state government in greater dimensions.
2. The congress urged the Delta State Governor, as it concerns the role of the media in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, to begin to convene regular interactive press briefings and conferences, stressing that the governor should sustain the quarterly media interactions which had been in existence before his assumption of office, in order to strengthen the existing media relations in the state.
3. The congress called on the governor to appoint a substantive Chairman for the Delta State Sports Commission, arguing that the step would not only strengthen leadership at the commission but help the state sustain her number one position in sporting activities in the country.
4. The congress appreciated the Delta State Government for reenacting the ban on movement of motorcycles in the capital territory but stressed that much of the task lies in enforcement, calling on the citizens also to join in passing useful information to security agencies to strengthen the enforcement.
5. On the ban of scrap collectors and scavengers, popularly called ‘iron condemn’,
   the congress called for a blanket ban across the state, stating that the menace of the scavengers also affects other parts of the state.
6. Congress, however, called on the state government to take steps to ensure that those disengaged in the process of enforcing the bans do not become nuisance and menace to society.
7. Congress called on the state governor to compel the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, to without further delay, effect the dismantling of road blocks that have become hazardous to to road users and tax payers, especially the section of the Okpanam Road in front of the Police Headquarters, particularly at night when it is completely closed, and other police divisions across the state.
8. . Congress lauded the state government for taking proactive steps to generate power for Deltans in line with the new law of power liberalisation, and urged the Delta State House of Assembly to expedite action in passing the Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill that is before it into law.
9. Congress equally charged the state government to come up with strategies, policies and programmes to ameliorate the economic hardship that Deltans are facing in view of the skyrocketing food, transportation and accommodation prices, including tuition fees in school.
10. It also urged the state governor to look into wage awards to the workers while awaiting the final outcome of the ongoing minimum wage negotiations.
11. Congress called on the Delta State Governor to compel the various Ministries of Education to adopt stricter and stringent measures in checking examination malpractices in the state, especially in view of the just concluded Common Entrance, Junior and Senior NECO and WAEC examinations, and in tertiary institutions examinations.

Comrade Churchill Oyowe
NUJ Chairman
Delta State Council

Comrade Victor Sorokwu
NUJ Secretary
Delta State Council

Communique Drafting Committee:

1.Comrade Patrick Ochei – Chairman (Anioma Trust)

2.Comrade Oghenero Eghweree – Secretary (Radio Nigeria)

3.Comrade Gerald Azinge – Member (Ministry of Information)

4.Comrade Onyekachukwu Meluwa – Member (Daily Trust)