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The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the governors of the South-South states that make up the BRACED Commission (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo) to develop strategies to revive the commission and achieve its intended purpose. This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Dominic Akpan, and the Secretary, Ogio Ipigansi, at the end of a zonal meeting of Zone F held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The meeting highlighted that reviving the commission would allow for the initial purpose of peer review and development coordination in the area. The communique urged the six governors of the zone to take necessary actions to ensure that the BRACED Commission is functional once again and serves its purpose of peer review and development coordination in the region.

Additionally, the NUJ commended the Edo State Government for paying its civil servants a minimum wage of N40,000 and urged other governors in the region to follow the example set by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The meeting also called on the Rivers State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts in the area to tackle the rising insecurity issues in the region, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, which saw an increase in criminal activities like kidnapping. The journalists expressed their concern about the loss of lives and property worth millions of Naira in the state and requested the in-coming Rivers State administration to address the issue in the interest of peaceful relations between the states.

Finally, the meeting condemned the recent demolition of Bayelsa State Government’s property by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. The NUJ called on the Rivers State government to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity, and peace.

As always, the NUJ urged its members to maintain the highest standards of professionalism to avoid a loss of public confidence, particularly in light of the proliferation of new media and the challenge of fake news.