ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — June 23, 2025
The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned what it describes as continued acts of harassment, intimidation, and character assassination against one of its members, Comrade Olajide Osoba. The alleged misconduct has been attributed to the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Student Affairs, Mr. Azeez Adeyemi.
Following an emergency session of its State Executive Committee (SEC), the Union called the actions of Mr. Adeyemi and his associates—believed to be affiliated with a faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)—unjustifiable and in direct violation of democratic values and press freedom.
The incident dates back to the 2025 May Day celebrations, during which Osoba, a journalist and member of the NUJ, was reportedly assaulted without provocation at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta. Eyewitnesses allege that the attack was carried out under the directive of Mr. Adeyemi. The matter was formally reported at the Ibara Divisional Police Station.
In what appears to be a retaliatory move, Adeyemi has since filed two petitions accusing Osoba of belonging to a cult group, urging the police to arrest the journalist. This has allegedly triggered sustained efforts to arrest Osoba, with officers from Eleweran State Headquarters and the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Lagos, making repeated attempts without prior notice. Individuals allegedly loyal to Adeyemi have also reportedly laid siege to the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, a known base for journalists in the state.
The NUJ decried these developments as “utterly uncivilized” and an affront to press freedom. “The press must remain free, unshackled, and empowered,” the Union stated, warning that continued aggression toward journalists threatens democratic values and public trust in the government.
In response, the NUJ announced a set of resolutions:
- Mr. Adeyemi, his faction within NANS, and their supporters are declared persona non grata at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
- The Union demands an immediate halt to police and thug-led harassment, and calls for a thorough investigation into the May Day assault.
- It reaffirms its role as protector of press freedom and declares its Secretariat a safe haven for practicing journalists.
- The Union urges the Ogun State Government to take urgent disciplinary measures against Mr. Adeyemi, warning that future violations will be met with stronger opposition.
- The NUJ reasserts its longstanding cooperative relationship with the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun and warns against actions that could damage media-government rapport.
“We shall not allow an overzealous Special Assistant to pitch government against the media,” said Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, Chairman of the NUJ Ogun State Council.
The statement concluded with a firm pledge from the NUJ to defend journalistic integrity and uphold the sanctity of the media space in Ogun State.
Let me know if you’d like this in a different tone—say, more formal, or adapted for a TV report.
