Evolve strategies to resuscitate BRACED commission – NUJ tells S’South govs

The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo States which make up the BRACED Commission to develop strategies to resuscitate it to achieve the purpose for which it was established.

This was contained in a Communique signed by the committee chairman Dominic Akpan and the Secreatry, Ogio Ipigansi, issued at the end of a zonal meeting of Zone F, held at the Akwa Ibom Council press centre in Uyo.

The meeting noted that the Commission when revived would engender the initial purpose of peer review and development coordination in the zone.

The communique said, “the meeting called on the six governors in the zone to evolve strategies to resuscitate the BRACED Commission to serve the purpose of peer review and development coordination in the Zone.”

The meeting also lauded the Edo State Government for paying civil servants in the State N40,000 minimum wage and urged other governors in the zone to emulate the worthy example of Godwin Obaseki.

It also called on the Rivers State government and security agencies to beef up security in the state, regretting the resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in some parts of the state following the 2023 general elections.

It said the attendant violence and insecurity had claimed the lives of some citizens and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira.

The meeting condemned the demolition of the property of Bayelsa State Government in Port – Harcourt by Governor Wike, an action which it said has far-reaching implications on the relationship between the people of both states.

The journalists requested the in-coming administration in Rivers State to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity and peace.

The meeting, however, encouraged members to uphold the standards of the journalism profession at all times, to avoid a loss of public confidence, especially in the face of new media and fake news.