Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr Christian Aburime has stated that his Principal, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, is committed to sustaining cordial relationship with journalists in Anambra.
Aburime said this while reacting to the assertions of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the current government in Anambra State does not have human face.
The NUJ, in a statement it released recently, described the administration of Soludo, as “wicked and without human face towards Journalists.”
The Union statement was contained in its July, 2023 State Congress communique signed by its state Chairman, and secretary, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Aloysius Ofodile, respectively.
The union’s accusation came on the heels of plans by the Governor Soludo-led government to terminate the appointments of journalists working with the longest thriving state-owned newspaper outfit in the country, National Light Newspaper, and sacking all the journalists in the establishment.
The union had condemned what it called ill-treatment to journalists by Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led administration in the state.
In the communique, the NUJ said it was because of Soludo’s hate for the journalists that made the body to take what it (NUJ) called reckless decision against the workers of the state-owned Newspaper, the National Light.
But reacting to the accusations, Aburime said it is not true, “Mr Governor is a lover of Journalists, and I can tell you that.
“The portrayals we are getting from the NUJ about who Mr Governor is, is not true.
“Even the National Light Newspaper issue, I can tell you that it is being handled by the concerned agencies and ministries, and there is nothing to fear about.
“It is not true for NUJ to start describing Soludo as being inhuman or being wicked. We have the best interest of the journalists at heart, and the governor is working to hold a meeting with journalists and also fashion out the way forward.”
Mr. Aburime, insisted that Governor Soludo, had pledged his commitment to press freedom in the state.
He said the governor was committed to sustaining the existing cordial relationship with the media in Anambra State.
He said his promise was based on the sanctity and constitutional responsibility of media practitioners in Anambra.
According to the CPS, Soludo’s policies are subjected to media scrutiny in line with his administration’s philosophy of transparency and accountability in governance.
“NUJ should not be confrontational. Anambra Government is not at war with the NUJ. Soludo is not wicked and reckless as been portrayed by the state chapter of NUJ. NUJ and Journalists as a whole have been part of this Government to make Anambra a livable and prosperous State in Nigeria.
“Soludo have promised that journalists would not suffer any form of intimidation in their duties under his administration.
