From our correspondent, in Kano
Journalists in Kano state, under the auspices of Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, have decided to boycott all activities related to the state government with immediate effect.
The chapel took the decision at an emergency meeting held at the chapel’s office inside NUJ Secretariat in Kano on Monday.
In a communique, signed by the Chairman of the chapel, Aminu Ahmed Garko, the chapel said the decision was taken in response to “the persistent and unacceptable maltreatment of members of the chapel in the state by the government and its agents while discharging their primary assignments.
“Despite our efforts to engage with the government and its officials to address these issues, we have seen no improvement in the situation.
“Members of the chapel continue to face harassment, intimidation, and even physical assault while performing their duties.
“It is particularly concerning that the government has prioritized non-professionals over trained journalists, making it a state policy to sideline those who are best equipped to handle the job,” part of the communique read.
The Chapel stated that “as a result, “we regret to announce that we will no longer participate in press conferences, cover government events, or conduct interviews with state officials until we see a tangible commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists,”
The Chapel urged all its members to comply with the directive against what it described as the ill-treatment.
“We believe that a free and independent press is essential to a functioning democracy, and we will not stand idly while our members are mistreated and intimidated.”
