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NUJ urges Akwa Ibom Government to establish a stand-alone Fire Service Agency.
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Congress calls for stricter regulation of cooking gas retail outlets over safety concerns.
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Journalists advocate stronger environmental measures to tackle flooding and poor waste disposal.
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NUJ honours former Chairman Israel Umoh by renaming the Conference Room after him.
July 24 , (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a stand-alone Fire Service Agency equipped with modern firefighting equipment and adequate personnel to improve emergency response and protect lives and property across the state.
The resolution was part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s July Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo.
The Congress also urged the State Petroleum Monitoring Team to immediately regulate the proliferation of cooking gas retail outlets, warning that the indiscriminate establishment of gas plants poses serious fire and public safety risks if left unchecked.
Expressing concern over environmental sanitation, the Union decried indiscriminate waste disposal by residents, saying the practice has continued to block drainage channels and worsen flooding across the state.
It recommended legislation compelling residents and business owners to regularly desilt drains around their premises, while commending the state government for its intervention in addressing recent flooding.
Congress further called on the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to develop sustainable measures to address the increasing number of mentally challenged persons roaming the streets, describing the situation as a growing public safety and social welfare concern.
The Union also ratified the decision to rename its Conference Room after former State Chairman, Comrade Israel Umoh, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Council. The facility will henceforth be known as the Israel Umoh Conference Room.
Congress commended Governor Umo Eno for approving the payment of the weigh-in allowance for journalists employed by the Akwa Ibom State Government and expressed appreciation for his promise to donate a bus to the Union. It also expressed optimism that other welfare requests made by the Council would receive favourable consideration.
Members were informed of activities marking the first anniversary of the current State Working Committee, scheduled to commence on July 30 and culminate in a thanksgiving service on August 2, 2026.
Congress also commiserated with the Apex Chapel and the entire NUJ family over the death of its pioneer Chairman, the late Comrade Udemeabasi Udofa, and urged members to participate in the funeral activities.
It congratulated Comrades Borono Bassey and Godwin Akpan on the successful attainment of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, Comrade Lynda Ukonne on her call to the Nigerian Bar, and Comrade Margaret Moore on her investiture as a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration.
The Congress further encouraged journalists to embrace specialised reporting in emerging sectors such as aviation, the judiciary and the blue economy, while urging members to strengthen professional networking, collaboration and unity within the Union.
