— Accuses Him Of Supporting Charlatans Parading As Union Members
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, Comrade Precious Nwadike, has accused the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Declan Emelumba, of being responsible for the alleged decadence in the journalism profession in Imo State.
Nwadike, who made the allegation while commenting on the state of journalism in the state during an interview with newsmen, described the situation as regrettable.
According to him, the journalism profession has become fragmented since Emelumba assumed office as Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
He noted that there are factions within the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and the parent body, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among other professional bodies.
He expressed disappointment that Emelumba, who was once a practising journalist before his appointment, could allegedly descend to the level of supporting and encouraging non-professionals to undermine the image and integrity of the journalism profession that, according to him, made him who he is today.
According to Nwadike, “Posterity will certainly vindicate all those who stood up against Emelumba’s manipulative divide-and-rule tactics, which are only temporary.”
Speaking on Nwauguma, Nwadike said, “A lot of people have called to ask me about Nwauguma parading himself as a journalist when he is neither one by training nor by practice. I told them it would be beneath me to join issues with him.
Besides, there are allegations of contempt of court and impersonation against him. He will certainly face the consequences, regardless of the support and encouragement he is presently receiving from Emelumba.”
He added, “What Emelumba has failed to realise is that power is transient. He will vacate that office sooner rather than later, just as those who occupied it before him. However, the damage he allegedly did to the NUJ will continue to haunt him and remain a reference point by which posterity will judge him.”
On what he described as the illegality being perpetrated by Nwauguma and his associates with the tacit support of the Commissioner, Nwadike said there is a matter currently pending before the court.
“Some people have been seeking an out-of-court settlement because they know the gravity and seriousness of the allegations against them, which border on the alleged theft of union property,” he said.
