By Friday Idachaba
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council has ordered immediate boycott of all events of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) and its Executive Director, Mr Idris Miliki.
The NUJ gave the order in a statement signed by Adeiza MomohJimoh, Chairman and Ademu Seidu Haruna, Secretary of the Council and made available to Chapels and members of the union on Monday in Lokoja.
The statement said that the boycott order was necessitated by the unsavoury and acidic comments and attack on National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Chairperson, Mrs Ann Olurinde by the activist.
The NUJ also noted with dismay that Miliki in his attack on the NAWOJ chairperson over a harmless joke also denigrated the NUJ in his vituperative comments, casting aspersions on the pen pushing profession.
“The attention of the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, has been drawn to the unwarranted verbal attack of Mr Idris Miliki on the Kogi State Chairperson of NAWOJ over a comment on WHATSAPP Platform where the two of them are participants.
According to evidence shown to the Council, Mr Miliki announced his return from Osun State where he claimed to have monitored the Osun State Governorship election on the WhatsApp Platform.
The statement added that NAWOJ chairperson responded by welcoming him (Miliki) back and jokingly asked if he bought bread from Osun State.
According to the WhatsApp record, this friendly comment drew the ire of Miliki who unleashed unsavoury comments questioning what the Journalism profession was turning into with Journalists asking for bread.
“Mr Miliki also denigrated the Union through his uncomplimentary remarks about NAWOJ which is part and parcel of the Nigerian Union Of Journalists.
“The Union therefore, believe that this rabid behavior of Mr Idris Miliki should be checked 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.
“This directive however does not cover sponsored radio or Television Programmes that are currently running in any stations by his organization”, the statement added.