The Kogi state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has faulted the position of Hamza Aliyu, the Executive Director of Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) on the union’s boycott of Idris Miliki’s programmes.
Aliyu, in a statement on Thursday, alleged that the fundamental freedom of speech of Idris Miliki has been infringed upon because the union’s action.
But in a swift reaction, Kogi NUJ insisted that members of the union will no longer be part of the people Miliki can treat with disdain.
In a statement signed by the chairman and secretary of the Union, Momohjimoh Adeiza and Ademu Seidu Haruna respectively, Kogi NUJ said if Miliki could throw caution to the wind and address media professionals that have given him voice over the years in derogatory manner, then he is not deserving of their collaboration again.
“Mr. Hamza in his write-up alluded to the fact that Miliki is challenged when it comes to relating with people, but went further to suggest that everyone that has come in contact with him should be able to accept his misbehavior.
“He also described Miliki as a fearless person who speak truth to power, may be the only reason Mr. Hamza believes that people should continue to swallow Miliki’s bitter pills each time he dishes it out.
“The council wishes to call the attention of Mr. Hamza to the fact that good character and decency should be the hallmark of any civilized person.
“We refer him to his university graduation brochure and that of Mr. Miliki if he ever went to school where it is expressly stated that graduating students are found worthy in character and learning.
“You can’t bite the finger that feeds you and expect to be fed again. The media in Nigeria and Kogi State in particular have played wonderful roles in entrenching good governance and saner society and majority of our members here in Kogi State both now and in the time past suffered bodily injuries and other inconveniences for standing with the people of Kogi State, yet they were well behaved unlike your client,” the statement read in part.
Kogi NUJ insisted that the dignity and respect for our members is sacrosanct and must be accorded to them at all times.
