Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State plans to shut down the National Light Newspaper company, a government-owned newspaper publishing company, as it is not adding value to the state’s economy. The decision will leave about 200 workers, including journalists, accountants, printers, security staff, and cleaners, unemployed.
During their last meeting at the Government House in Awka, the state’s executive council was informed of the decision, which has been met with condemnation. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chairman, Emeka Odogwu, pleaded with the governor not to shut down the newspaper company, citing the economic hardship that would befall the workers and their dependents.
In response to the criticism, Odogwu and the State Commissioner for Information, Chief Paul Nwosu, said that the decision had not yet been finalized, and that the matter was still being considered by the Anambra State Executive Council. They further stated that the news would be formally made public as soon as a firm decision was reached.
The National Light Newspaper has correspondents/reporters working in many other states across the country, particularly in the Southeast zone and Abuja, the nation’s capital. It has been reported that the National Light Newspaper reporter attached to the governor’s press crew had already been dropped from the press crew.
In the alternative, the NUJ boss suggested that the workers of the newspaper company be redeployed to state ministries where their services would be needed. The closure of the newspaper company would cause hardship for the employees and their families.
Closing the National Light Newspaper would be a significant blow to Anambra’s media industry and its workers. The state government should consider other options that will not leave hundreds of people unemployed