Enugu Journalists Forum

08/03/2020

Regional Security: Enugu Journalists call for synergy among Igbo leaders

The Enugu Journalists Forum (EJF), an umbrella body of journalists of Enugu state extraction practicing in Abuja, has called on the governors and stakeholders in the South-East, to work together towards establishing an efficient regional security outfit in the region.

The forum in a statement at the weekend, noted with concern, the discordant tone between the South-East governors and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, on the nomenclature of the proposed regional security outfit.

EJF noted that "while Ohaneze Ndigbo and religious leaders in the zone want the establishment of 'Operation Ogbunigwe,' the governors prefer the adoption of the Federal Government's Community Policing programme.

"This disagreement is what our zone cannot afford this time given the grim security situation in the country, which is steadily crippling into the zone.

"It most unfortunate that while other regions are working harmoniously towards the security of their people, our leaders are working at cross purposes. This can further exacerbate the cry of 'marginalisation' in future by our people."

The statement, which was signed by the protem President, Malachy Uzendu, and the Publicity Secretary, Onyekachi Eze, called for synergy among the two groups, insisting that the issue should not be politicised.

It warned of future consequences of the disagreement, adding, that the people of the South-East have suffered enough marginalisation from the Nigerian state and cannot afford self-inflicted problems.

"While we are not averse to community policing, we are not unaware of the infamous role played by police officers from other regions posted to South-East.

"We also know that since independence, only for a brief period of less than two years was an Igbo man allowed to lead the Nigeria Police Force. This we want those advocating for Community Policing to put into consideration.

"What is in vogue now among the geo-political zones of the country is regional security outfit, and South-East cannot afford to be left out.

"Since the Forest Guard came into operation in Enugu State, kidnapping, rapping, as well as mindless killings by Fulani herdsmen have reduced.

"This is what the Nigeria Police and other security agencies could not achieve all these years.

"South-East region needs a well-programmed security outfit that can understand the sentiments of the people; a security outfit that understands the culture and environment in which it operates, and not a rapacious lot who sees the zone as a minefield to be plundered and r***d," the group stressed.

12/02/2020

PRESS RELEASE:

COMMUNIQUE ARISING FROM MEETING OF SOUTHEAST GOVERNORS HELD ON THE 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020, AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU.

1. The South East Governors took a brief on the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of the Works Committee of the South East Governors on the Project, Sir Engr. Chris
Okoye FNSE.

(a) Forum noted the quality and speedy progress of work by the contractor
PW Nig. Ltd. Forum is very satisfied with the progress so far made and
assurances of integrated safety and landing facilities, fencing and
drainages incorporated in this package.

(b) Forum, therefore, commended His Excellency, Mr. President for his prompt in full release of special funding for the project.

(c) Forum also commended the Governor of Enugu State for making more land available and his commitment in the overall success of the project.

(d) Forum also commended the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika for his commitment and constant supervision of the project.

(e) Forum also commended the Works Committee Chairman on the project,
of the project, Sir Engr. Chris Okoye and his team for efficient supervision and monitoring of the project.

(f) Forum assures our people that Mr. President, the Hon. Minister of
Aviation, the Chief of Staff to Mr. President and indeed all stakeholders to this project are committed to the re-opening of the Airport by 31 of
March, 2020. All inconveniences are regretted.

2. Forum took brief from the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie
Ikpeazu on the Enugu-PH Federal Highway that is on-going. Forum
commended the Federal Government on speedy and quality work, though a
number of sections are yet to be attended to, especially the Abia-PH axis being handled by a Chinese Company. Our findings show that they are not yet properly funded, as to effect reasonable work before the rainy season. While thanking Mr. President and the Hon. Minister of Works for this road, we appeal that all the companies be fairly funded so as to attend to most of the deplorable sections before the rainy season.

(a) The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu also
briefed Forum on the Enyimba Economic City. He assured on the
Success of the programme so far. He, however, requested that the
associated part of the programme, which is the ring road connecting
South East and South South be commenced.

3. Forum took a brief from the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief W***y Obiano, represented by His Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Nkem Okeke on
the progress of work on the 2 Niger Bridge. A full view of on-going work
was shown to the South East Governors. Forum and stakeholders commended Mr. President, the Hon. Minister of Works, the Chief of Staff to Mr. President and the Managing Director of National Social Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji, for making this project a reality. With the level of funding by Mr. President, we are confident that this project shall be completed in his tenure.

4. The Forum received our South East Joint Security Committee and noted as
follows:

(a) That the South East Governors had formed their South East Joint Security on July 28, 2019 and inaugurated her Committee on Joint Security on the 31 of August, 2019.

(b) Forum took briefing from the Chairman of South East Joint Security
Committee and are satisfied with all the arrangement that will lead to
South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back up the South East Security Programme with a name to the outfit.

(c) Forum had written the Federal Government in this respect and at an
appropriate time we shall be inviting the Federal Government to note
the details of our Joint Security Programme.
(d) We wish to assure our people that we have our State Vigilante and the
Forest Guards in all the South East States, who work with security
agencies daily in our various Communities for protection of lives and property.
(e) We, again, assure our people that the protection of their lives and property is paramount to us and we are committed to just doing that.

5. We thank Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for visiting us in our meeting, today, as we note all the useful advice given to the Forum. We pledge to work with them for the benefit of our people.

Issued and signed this 9th February, 2020 by Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE, Chairman South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State.

09/02/2020

09/02/2020

07/02/2020

07/02/2020

PRESS STATEMENT

January 26, 2020

Amotekun: Time to beef up security in the South East - Journalists' Group tasks Governors

A media group, the Enugu Journalists' Forum (EJF),at the weekend, called on State Governments and Leaders of Thought in the South-East zone to put in place measures to firmly protect the region from Fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements.

The Group stated in a statement that the call had become necessary in view of the planned take off of the South-West's security outfit, "Amotekun" which was put together by governors in the zone.

The Abuja-based media group, in a statement by the Acting President, Malachy Uzendu and Publicity Secretary, Onyekachi Eze, expressed fears that criminal elements may now have safe haven in the South-East if the heat becomes too much on them when the "Amotekun" becomes operational in South-West.

"This is not the time to sit on the fence. We expect our Governors and Leaders of Thought to begin preparations for a regional security outfit to protect our people.

"There is so much insecurity in the South-East before now. Many of our people have either been kidnapped or killed, women and young girls r***d by these marauding herdsmen and their allies.

"Security of lives and property can no longer be entrusted in the hands of Divisional Police Officers, Anti-Robbery and Anti-Kidnapping Squads and Mobile Police Formations, who appear to be more interested in mounting road blocks to extort money than the protection of the people.

"We call on our Governors and State Houses of Assembly to put mechinaries in motion for the establishment of a regional security outfit to protect our people," the group advised.

The EJF noted that not less than 30 Catholic Priests and several ordinary people including academics, Traditional Rulers and Business Moguls have either been kidnapped or killed by the Fulani herdsmen in the South-East last year, pointing out that the situation could worsen with the likely influx of criminal elements from the South-West to the region.

It however commended the Enugu State Government for establishing the Forest Rangers, but said that it should be extended to other states in the region, and backed by legislation.

The Journalists' Group also, commended the Enugu State Government for the demolition of structures to make way for total and comprehensive rehabilitation and expansion of the closed Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

It regretted the pains of people of the region since the Airport was shut down last year, and said the delay by the Federal Government for its rehabilitation had untold hardship, especially during the yuletide.

EJF enjoined those whose properties were demolished to see such as sacrifice for the wellbeing of the people and called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the project so that the Airport can be put to use before Easter.