ASHENEWS reports that the Sokoto state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Saturday urged the state government to encourage and strongly support afforestation programmes geared towards mitigating climate change and desertification.
The council stated this in a statement issued at the end of its Congress meeting held on Saturday at the Press Centre.
The council, while lauding the Sokoto State Government for its commitment and support to the citizenry, especially in this Holy Month of Ramadan called for more efforts in the areas of water availability, sanitation and electricity intervention.
Acknowledging the effort of the state government towards ending insecurity in the state, the council commended the state government’s interventions with security agencies, including the newly inaugurated
Sokoto Community Guards.
To achieve optimal results, the council urged the Community Guard Corps to collaborate with other security agencies to achieve results.
Furthermore, the NUJ appealed to the state government to intervene to enable intending pilgrims to meet up with the hike in Hajj fares.
“Members further call on the state government to do more in addressing the pitiable issue of street begging that has become a recurring decimal amongst under age children within Sokoto metropolis.
“Members task the State Government to appeal to the Federal Government to ensure speedy completion of the ongoing dualisation of Sokoto/Gusau/ Zaria road as the unbearable dust from the construction has potentials of causing outbreak, health hazards to motorists and commuters as well as aiding kidnapping.
“Members sincerely appreciate the various security agencies in Sokoto for the numerous successes recorded in their bid to restore unhindered peace in all troubled areas and appealed to the general public to also support the security agencies with useful information,” the statement said.
To its members, the council advised “Members were urged to continually ensure that national unity and development remain the cardinal focus of their reportage.
“To abide by consistent updating of payment of all professional fees expected of them as NUJ members.”
