Following the release of the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s list of political appointments, the Ogun NUJ Council criticized the governor for overlooking the inclusion of two journalists who were recommended to him upon his request.
It would be recalled that, Governor Abiodun had made four cardinal promises during his last visit to the NUJ Secretariat, which included the appointment of two of its members as requested by the governor.
To the dismayed of Ogun NUJ Council Members, the names of the two journalists were missing in the lists of announced new appointments of Special Assistant, Special Advisers and Government Liaison Officers, by the state government.
Arising from the monthly Congress, journalists in Ogun state issued a communique to express their displeasure and disappointment concerning unfulfilled promises of the governor, at the end of the Congress of the union, held today, Thursday, 28th March, 2024, at its secretariat, Iwe Iroyin Abeokuta.
The congress, which was presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning the Union, Nation and the State at large.
The communique also reads, “The congress having relieved on the four cardinal promises made by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun during his last visit to the council secretariat, frowned at his non fulfilment and seemingly decision to ignore all emissaries to remind him of his promises particularly the appointment of two of its members as requested by him.
“The Congress however feels disappointed, disrespected and highly undermined by the decision of the governor to deliberately remove our nominees from the list of appointees.
“The congress at its monthly meeting however decide to blacklist all reporting of the Governors appointees (Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Advisers, Special Assistants and others) in the State.
“The congress however calls on the Governor to take full charge of his administration and fulfil his promises to the council which are not limited to:
“The renovation of the Olusegun Osoba hall at Iwe Iroyin Press Centre,
Construction of a 750-Seater Ultra-Modern Hall at the NUJ Site, Leme, the Appointment of two of our members; Comrade Kazeem Olowe and Comrade James Sowole, whose names have since been forwarded to the governor upon his request since August, 2023, allocation of Land for the purpose of the construction of the first ever Ogun NUJ Journalists Estate”.
The congress also lauded the timely intervention of President Bola Tinubu on the release of First News Editor, Segun Olatunji who was recently abducted by the Nigeria military.
“The congress also discussed the safety of its members with special spotlight on the recent abduction and release of The First News editor, Segun Olatunji by the Nigeria Military.
“The Congress however lauded the timely intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, Nigeria Union of Journalists National President, Chris Isiguzo, International Press Institute, Nigeria Guild of Editors and other stakeholders who facilitated Olatunji’s release.
“The congress is also aware of Segun Olatunji’s ordeals in the custody of the military, his claims and pains are currently been x-rayed as our position on this attempt to silence the media will be made known.
The Communique, which was signed by the Chairman and secretary of the council, Wale Olarenwaju and Bunmi Adigun respectively, had Drafting Committees, Comrade Olasunkanmi Akinlotan as Chairman, Hakeem Adegbenro as the Secretary while Femi Osipitan serves as a Member.
