The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 14 day ultimatum to sack his newly appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and replace him with an indigenous professional.
Arising from its Congress last Thursday February 26, 2026, it frowned at the culture of importing Chief Press Secretaries from outside the State, describing it as a “vote of no confidence” on Local media practitioners, with far-reaching implications.
A communiqué issued after the Congress meeting urged the governor to review such media appointments and to source from within the state, because , according to it, the State can boast of veteran, professional and expert journalists/Communication practitioners.
The communiqué, signed by the state chairman Comrade Paul Bazia Nsaneh, Secretary Comrade Ijeoma Tubosia and two others warned that “refusal to this resolution in 14 days after this publication will force fractures in the existing relationship between government and the media.”
The communiqué, dated Thursday February 26, 2026 also frowned against certain unprofessional practices in the state public sector and urged all those concerned to also redress them within the time frame or face unpleasant actions from the union.
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COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STATE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) RIVERS STATE COUNCIL, AT THE ERNEST IKOLI PRESS CENTER, MOSCOW ROAD, PORT HARCOURT, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, held its state congress on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, under the chairmanship of Comr Paul Bazia. The congress, attended by chairmen and secretaries of the respective chapels as well as practicing journalists in Rivers State, deliberated extensively on matters affecting the state.
PREAMBLE
The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) notes with deep concern the increasing menace of quacks and unprofessional practices in the media industry, which has led to the erosion of credibility and trust in the profession. The proliferation of individuals posing as journalists, without proper training, accreditation, or adherence to journalistic ethics, has not only undermined the integrity of the profession but also posed a significant threat to national security, good governance, and the dissemination of accurate information.
The consequences of this trend are far-reaching, with the potential to mislead the public, compromise investigative journalism, and undermine the critical role of the media in a democratic society as ours. It is against this backdrop that the Rivers State Council of the NUJ resolved to take a firm stance against these unwholesome practices and assert its commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
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Congress therefore reached the following resolution, thus;
1. REJECTION OF NON-MEDIA PROFESSIONALS’ APPOINTMENT: The Council rejects the appointment of non-media professionals into sensitive media positions by elected state and local government officials in Rivers State. Congress took particular note of Local Government Councils that appoint non-communication professionals and quark journalists, urging them to reverse such engagements and do the proper thing within 7 working days from the day of this publication.
2. APPOINTMENT OF UNKNOWN CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR – Congress frowned at the culture of importing Chief Press Secretaries from outside Rivers State who are unknown to the NUJ to work in Government House, describing it a “vote of no confidence” on Local media practitioners, with far-reaching implications. The Governor of Rivers State was urged to review such media appointments, source from within the state Council as Rivers State can boast of veteran, professional and expert journalists/Communication practitioners. Congress warned that refusal to this resolution in 14 days after this publication will force fractures in the existing relationship between government and the media.
3. CONDEMNATION OF UNPROFESSIONAL PRACTICES*: The Council condemns the appointment of individuals who engage in unprofessional practices, such as “mud-slinging/cyber-bullying” who post sensitive messages on social media without regard for journalistic ethics, ethos and principles.
4. PROFESSIONAL COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION: The Council strongly warned that the appointments of non-practicing journalists and public relations practitioners as Commissioner for Information, Chief Press Secretaries, and Press Secretaries will no longer be accepted in the best interest of the state.
5. INTERMITTENT PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS: The State Council of the NUJ urged the State Government, the 23 Local Government Councils, and other relevant bodies to role out trainings for media/press assistants towards entrenching the culture of strategic communication.
6. UPHOLDING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The Council reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalism and protecting the interests of its members, advising other tiers of Government that only the office of the governor is designed to have a chief Press Secretary, while others should have a Press Secretary or Press Officer.
Signed,
Paul Bazia -Nsaneh
Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council
Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D
Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council
Communique Drafting Committee
Comr Giadom Martins – Chairman
Dr Boma Waribor, anipr. – Secretary
Comr – Tonye Nria Dappa – Member
