The Security Division of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Saturday denied journalists access to cover the institution’s 45th convocation ceremony.
Correspondents from several media organisations, including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Nagarta Radio and NTA Zaria, were prevented from entering the Mamman Kontagora Square, the venue of the event.
A security officer of the university, identified as Mr C.K., told journalists that he was acting on the directive of the Chief Security Officer, Malam Ashiru Zango. He stated that media personnel were required to obtain clearance from the Vice-Chancellor before being granted access to the venue, despite presenting valid staff identity cards and accreditation tags issued by the university.
The affected journalists protested the action, insisting that they had been duly accredited to cover the convocation.
Following the development, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) intervened and made efforts to contact the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Mallam Auwalu Umar. Umar assured the journalists that he would step in to resolve the situation and ensure that accredited media personnel were allowed access to the venue.
However, as at the time of filing this report, some journalists had left the convocation ground in protest over the development.
