Leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from across the six States of the Southwest Nigeria on Friday rise from its zonal meeting in Ibadan, applauding the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for giving approval to host the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union in Ibadan next month (June).
The commendation was part of the communique arrived at, after extensive deliberations on issues affecting NUJ and the Southwest at large.
the Zonal leadership meeting was presided over by the Vice President, Princess Ronke Afebioye-Samo.
They urged other State Governors in the zone to emulate wonderful disposition of Governor Makinde to the media profession, well-being of journalists and the NUJ in general.
The hosting Chairman, Ademola Babalola had appraised the leaders of Governor Makinde’s countless supports to the Union over the years, with emphasis on the recent approval to host the NEC in Ibadan.
The Ondo State NUJ Council chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite had equally commended Ademola Babalola leadership for always changing the face of the Union’s secretariat because “every time we are in Ibadan, it’s always one new project or the other. Mr Chairman, Ademola Babalola deserve to be appreciated for his many giant strides as a leader with focus and determination to achieve laudable things for our Union”.
Part of the communique read as follows:- “The Zone while bemoaning deplorable condition of facilities at States and Federal Government-owned media outfits in the Southwest, calls on Governments to improve on funding of their owned media organisations across the Southwest region to enable our members serve the public efficiently and effectively.
“The Southwest NUJ Commends the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for the approval to host the NUJ NEC meeting in Ibadan which is the gathering of leadership of all journalists across the country; noting that the gesture is a demonstration of Gov. Makinde’s love for the media.
“The Zone equally hailed the Forum of Veteran Journalists, Oyo State chapter for renovating and recent commissioning of their structure at the Oyo State NUJ Press Centre.
“The Union appreciated Southwest Governors, particularly the Governors of Oyo, Osun and Ogun, who have always provided support for their State Councils and its members, urging others to emulate such gesture.
“The leadership of the NUJ Zone B specifically appreciated the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for appointing a journalist, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya as the first NUJ member to be the Head of Service of the state. The Union appealed to other State Governors to magnanimously elevate qualified journalists/Information officers to the position of Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and other key public offices.
“The Zone calls for an urgent actions from the Federal Government to reconstruct and rehabilitate some deplorable roads in the Southwest region especially Ilesa-Ibadan expressway, Akure-Ado Ekiti road, Ibadan-Odeda-Abeokuta road among others.
“The Zone also urges the Federal Government to review some of its economic policies and come up with innovations that would provide succour for the suffering masses.
“The B-Zone charges the Government to immediately reach amicable resolution with the NLC/TUC in approving acceptable new National Minimum wage for workers amidst harsh economic situation in the country.
“The Zone commends Oyo Council for hosting a well-successful Zonal Meeting, while Osun council will be the next host state, the communique signed by Com. Leke Adegbite (Chairman, Ondo Council; Com. Bunmi Adigun (Secretary, Ogun Council); Com. O’Seun Ogunsakin (Secretary, Ekiti Council) and Com. Abdulrasaq Alege”, Zonal Secretary added.
