NUJ tasks Kaduna govt on urban security, urges faster road works, Almajiri reforms
By: OVL News
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the State Government to sustain the momentum of its recently inaugurated Taskforce against urban crime, warning that growing criminal activities still pose a major threat to residents, journalists and the state’s fragile economy.
Rising from its monthly congress held at the NUJ Secretariat on Monday, the union said the Taskforce must be strengthened and properly equipped to flush out criminal elements and secure flashpoints across Kaduna metropolis and other vulnerable parts of the state.
In a communiqué signed by Usman Sani (Chairman), Lola Seriki-Idahosa (Member) and Ango Bally (Secretary), the NUJ expressed concern that many areas remained unsafe, forcing people to adjust daily routines and business hours out of fear of attacks.
The meeting, presided over by the Council Chairman, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, also urged the government to expedite completion of key road projects scattered across the state. It noted that bad roads not only hurt commerce but sometimes heighten security risks by isolating communities and slowing response by security agencies.
Among the roads cited by the journalists for urgent attention were the Kabala Costain–Nuhu Aliyu Road in Barnawa; Television Garage–Sabon Tasha; Sabon Tasha–Unguwan Gimbiya–Juji Road; Kakuri–Nasarawa; and Kabala West–Hayin Nariya Road.
Turning to broader social concerns, the NUJ called on Governor Uba Sani to revisit the Almajiri School and Tsangaya education policies of previous administrations as part of long-term measures to tackle the scourge of out-of-school children and street begging. It identified poverty, lack of access to education and social exclusion as key drivers of the problem, and urged the government to expand school enrolment programmes and alternative livelihood schemes for vulnerable families.
The Council, however, commended the improved working relationship between the Kaduna State Government and the media, describing it as healthy for democracy and good governance. It urged both parties to deepen engagements to sustain the gains.
Reviewing recent political milestones, the NUJ congratulated Governor Uba Sani on his conferment with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), alongside former Kaduna Military Governor, Colonel Dangiwa Umar (rtd), celebrated as the “Soldier of Democracy,” and Senator Shehu Sani. The Council said the recognitions underscored the roles these leaders had played in protecting democracy and advancing development.
The journalists also applauded the State Government for successfully hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, during which he commissioned landmark projects marking Governor Sani’s two years in office. These included the new 300-bed Specialist Hospital at Millennium City, three Skills Acquisition and Technology Centres spread across Igabi, Zangon Kataf and Soba local governments, deployment of CNG vehicles and several newly completed road projects.
Internally, the congress constituted an Ethics and Disciplinary Committee to enforce professional standards, a Press Centre Management Committee to oversee the Secretariat and Council property, a Credentials Committee to conduct a bye-election for the vacant position of Treasurer, and an Expanded Welfare Committee to strengthen support systems for members.
The Council further encouraged members to pay their professional fees and check-off dues promptly to aid the smooth running of Union activities at chapel, state and national levels.
Meanwhile, the Congress was briefed on intensified efforts by the NUJ National Secretariat to secure the accreditation of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) programme by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and its formal affiliation with the University of Maiduguri.
Reaffirming its core mandate, the NUJ pledged to continue championing ethical journalism, protecting the rights of practitioners, and advocating policies that safeguard press freedom and drive sustainable development across Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.
OVL REPORTING
