From MUSLIUDEEN ADEBAYO, Ibadan
THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State to sign the Media Enhancement Bill without wasting more time.
Adamawa State House of Assembly had earlier passed the bill into law in 2022.
NUJ in its reaction, enjoined the governor to sign the bill into law without further delay.
The union made this declaration in a communique issued at the end of the quarterly National Executive Committee meeting of the union held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting which was hosted by the Oyo State Council of NUJ was attended by national executive members and also NUJ chairmen and secretaries across the country.
The communique issued at the end of the meeting was read to journalists by the NUJ President, Chris Iziguzo at NUJ Oyo State Council Secretariat in Ibadan.
The communique, notes that the Bill when signed into law would help to improve the living standard of journalists in the state.
Iziguzo while speaking, noted that NEC deliberated on various issues such as insecurity, Media Enhancement Bill passed by the Adamawa State House of Assembly, minimum wage and other issues.
The NEC in session also frowned at the incessant arrest and detention of journalists by security operatives.
The communique notes, that “Adamawa state House of Assembly has passed Media Enhancement Bill which will protect the interest of journalists in the state. It looks at the retirement age for journalists’ and allowances in the state. We are appealing to the Adamawa State governor and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to sign the Bill.
“We urge other states to follow suit. Why we are desirous to ensure that this Bill is signed into law is that it will help ensure journalists are protected.
“We are going to meet with the governor of the state to ensure the Bill is passed into law.
“NEC frown at incessant arrest and detention of journalists by security agencies, as arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists will not help our democracy to grow”.
