NUJ Zone B Raises Concerns over Indiscipline, Infrastructure, and Flood Threats at Ibadan Congress
By Exponent News, Ibadan – July 26, 2025
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has expressed deep concern over rising indiscipline within its ranks, the poor state of federal roads in the Southwest, and looming environmental threats, following its zonal meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Congress, chaired by the Zonal Vice President, Princess Ronke Samo, brought together council leaders and union representatives across the Southwest states. After robust deliberations, the union issued a communiqué addressing critical issues affecting the profession and the region.
Indiscipline and Union Cohesion
The union decried the growing trend of insubordination and lack of respect for council leadership among members. It warned that any act of indiscipline would attract appropriate sanctions in line with the NUJ Constitution, regardless of the offender’s status within the union.
Particular attention was drawn to the forthcoming elections in the Oyo and Ogun State Councils, with a strong call for members to uphold order and professionalism before, during, and after the polls.
Media Professionalism and Training
The Congress urged media proprietors to prioritize professionalism by hiring qualified journalists. It also recommended that untrained staff should be encouraged to undertake Postgraduate Diploma courses in Journalism from recognized institutions such as the International Institute of Journalism.
The zonal leadership expressed appreciation to Amnesty International for organizing a recent capacity-building workshop for journalists in the zone and called on other organizations to replicate such initiatives to strengthen journalism practice in Nigeria.
Council leaders were also advised to replicate trainings at their state levels to ensure wider impact and knowledge dissemination.
Environmental Warnings and Government Preparedness
The Congress drew attention to impending flood forecasts by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA), urging governors in the Southwest—especially those in coastal states—to proactively mitigate potential disasters by clearing water channels and removing debris from erosion paths.
Appeal for Road Rehabilitation
The union lamented the deteriorating condition of key federal roads across the Southwest, including:
Ado-Ilesha Road
Ibadan-Ilesha-Akure Road
Ibadan-Abeokuta Road
Akure-Owo-Ikare-Kabba Road
Ado-Omuo-Ekiti-Kabba Road
It appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Federal Ministry of Works to commence urgent rehabilitation of these routes, citing their critical role in regional commerce and citizen mobility.
Communiqué Committee Members
Kayode Babatuyi (Chairman, Ekiti Council
)Bunmi Adigun (Member, Ogun Council)
Meshach Olaoluwa (Member, Ondo Council)
The communiqué was officially signed by Abdul Razzaq Alege, the Zonal Secretary, Zone B.
