BEING A PRESS STATEMENT PRESENTED BY COMRADE OGAR, EMMANUEL OKO, THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUCJ AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT(UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR COUNCIL). FEBRUARY 2, 2012. Our most esteemed union thought it absolutely imperative to speak out once more, particularly as it has been our immemorial tradition to selflessly and effectively appreciate and articulate the socio-economic, educational and political events in our campuses and the nation intoto. Today, amidst the numerous challenges confronting the Nigeria nation which range from skyrocketed school charges in our institutions to the ravaging menace of Boko Haram , and the rising external debt profile of the country-ipso facto. From the aforementioned vicissitude, the Nigeria Union of Campus Journalists have exhaustively deliberated on the exigencies of this moment and do hereby stand before the world as we make the subsequent pronouncements with respect to the events and situations in our country in order to illuminate and re-affirm our long standing position in the resolution of the complex and multi-faceted problems and crisis of the country. STATE OF THE NATION NUCJ having dialectically appraised the socio-political and geographical entity named Nigeria by obligation and for patriotic reasons, deemed it right to comment on the numberless issues of national interest. NUCJ condemns in it totality the Boko Haram insurrectionary on the poor masses and the recent attack on the media. NUCJ is convinced that the convocation of the Sovereign National Conference to thrash out the fundamentals for peaceful co-existence in the country is sine qua non. NUCJ condemns the rate of religion and political intolerance in some part of the country and demands that Christian and Muslim should device a way of addressing their discrepancies in an amicable way. NUCJ also urges the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate the fuel subsidy saga and prosecute anyone found culpable accordingly. STATE OF OUR CAMPUSES AND EDUCATION In our most beloved country, the educational system is entirely in a gory state. The entire system has been commercialized, privatized and relegated to a level of unprecedented neglect by governments’ policies and deliberate underfunding. The rationalization of courses, introduction of illegal school charges; the exploitation measures by them have truncated the aspirations of a vast majority of Nigerian students and subsequently resulted in a situation of unrivalled brain drain. NUCJ warns that if there is any sector in Nigeria that should be underfunded, it is certainly not the educational sector. NUCJ warns that any act of harassment, intimidation, victimization and undue maltreatment of our distinguished members by school’s coercive apparatus should be stopped. NUCJ demands for the review of all airlines operating licenses in the country. STATE OF NUCJ Congress acknowledges the need to bring all campus press organization into one, strong, united, and purposeful and focused body with the aim of actualizing the fundamental objectives and directive principles of NUCJ policy. 1. Our union lack adequate security for her members as exemplified in constant breaking and burgling of our press boards and brutalization of some of our members which some have led to the death of many such as the case of late Comrade Prince Felix Nduka who was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Delta state polytechnic . 2. Lack of vehicle for effective communication network and co-ordination of the union’s activities nationwide; finance for internal administration of the union. Furthermore, in view of the foregoing, the Nigeria Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) hereby demands and call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to: 1. Provide indigenous authors with incentives such as research materials; remove tariff and duties on books importation etc. 2. Step up measures to tackle the spate of Boko haram attacks. 3. Increase the budget on education. 4. Treat students’ cases with fatherly caution and seriously consider restoring subsidy on academic materials. 5. No to commercialization of education in whatever disguise. 6. Convocation of a Sovereign National conference (SNC). 7. Tackle the rising debt profile of Nigeria. 8. Make sure that all the indicted companies and individuals who are connected to oil subsidy mess as reported by Farouk Lawal led National Assembly committee on oil subsidy palaver be sanctioned appropriately. However, school authorities should consider the provision of offices and accommodation to members of NUCJ and their officials. NUCJ prays for the peace and tranquility in Nigeria and finally expresses her profound gratitude to the authority and students of the University of Calabar. Signed….. Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel O National President(NUCJ)
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 14:31:16 +0000
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