By Uzair Adam Imam
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kano State has announced a boycott of all Kano State Government activities, effective immediately.
This decision comes in response to the alleged persistent mistreatment of chapel members by the government and its agents while carrying out their duties.
According to Aminu Ahmed Garko, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, despite efforts to engage with the government to address these issues, there has been no improvement.
Members continue to face harassment, intimidation, and physical assault while performing their duties.
The government’s prioritization of non-professionals over trained journalists has also been criticized, with the chapel stating that this has become a state policy to sideline those best equipped to handle the job.
As a result, the chapel has announced that its members will no longer participate in press conferences, cover government events, or conduct interviews with state officials until a tangible commitment to press freedom and journalist safety is seen.
All members have been directed to comply with this directive and join the protest against the ill treatment of journalists in Kano State.
The chapel believes that a free and independent press is essential to a functioning democracy and will not stand idly by while its members are mistreated and intimidated.
Garko stated that the chapel will only reconsider its position when the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their duties.