By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,Kogi State Council, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh,has directed Journalists in the state to boycott the activities of a Lokoja-based Human Rights & Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) til further notice.
He gave the directive in a statement he and the secretary of the council, Ademu Seidu Haruna, signed and a copy omade available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Monday.
The duo said the development became necessary, following the verbal attack the boss of the organisation,Idris Miliki, meted out to the state Chairperson of the
National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ),Mrs Ann Olurinde, during a whatsapp platform communication.
Momohjimoh said evidence at the disposal of the council showed that Miliki on the WhatsApp Platform, announced his return from Osun State, “where he claimed to have monitored the Osun State Governorship election”.
He added: “The Kogi State NAWOJ chairperson responded by welcoming him back and jokingly asked, if he bought bread from Osun State.
“This friendly comment drew the rage of the said Mr Miliki and he verbally assaulted the harmless woman on the platform.
“Miliki also denigrated the Union through his uncomplimentary remarks about NAWOJ which is part and parcel of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists.
“The Union, therefore, believes that this rabid behavior of Idris Miliki should be put to check before he causes the union and its members further embarrassment.
“All members of NUJ in Kogi State are by this notice, therefore, directed to boycott any programme that has to do with the said Idris Miliki and his so-called Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution, till further notice.
“Members seeking for Civil Societies’ opinion on any story they are doing are advised to do so with other responsible Civil Society Organisations abound in Kogi State.
“This directive, however, does not cover sponsored radio or Television Programmes currently running in any stations by his organization.
“Members are strongly advised not to flout this directive in their own interest ”
Giving his side of the matter in a telephone interview with our Correspondent in Lokoja, Miliki denied verbally assaulting the state NAWOJ chairperson.
He said:”When I came back from Osun State,where I went for the monitoring of the Governorship electíon, I wrote something on a whatsapp platform, owned by the former chairmanof NUJ in the state, Ali,about the election.
“In the text, I said that those who expressed concern about my safety in Osun and Ekiti Governorship electíons I am back and will review the Osun electíon on my weekly programme on Grace FM radio station, Lokoja on Monday.
“At this juncture, the chairperson of NAWOJ in the state asked that I should bring bread and other things I brought from the electíon for her.
“I then responded by saying that I will not work with NAWOJ leadership in the state.
“Somebody on the platform now expressed disappointed over my reaction to NAWOJ chairperson’s request and I exited from the platform.”
“May be that is what the chairperson of NAWOJ termed verbal assault and reported me to the NUJ leadership in the state.”
