NUJ Ondo Seeks Swift Reforms, Raises Alarm Over Insecurity, Rising Costs
1st March, 2026
Journalists in Ondo State have called for urgent government action on insecurity, rising transportation fares, escalating housing costs and lingering labour concerns in the media industry. The resolutions formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure.
The Congress, presided over by the State Chairman, Leke Adegbite, deliberated on political, economic, environmental, security and media-related matters affecting the state and resolved as follows:
The Union commended Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for approving the conversion of Owena Press Limited from a private liability company to a corporation under the State Ministry of Information. It noted that the move would mainstream staff of the organisation into the state civil service. While congratulating the workers, the Congress urged the Ondo State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the execution bill, which has scaled second reading.
The Congress also lauded the state government for recruiting new staff into the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC), but appealed for the regularisation of contract staff whose appointments were not confirmed during the last recruitment exercise.
On security, the Union expressed concern over the rising cases of commercialised kidnapping, particularly along the Akure North to Uso-Owo axis. It called on both state and federal governments to intensify efforts to curb the menace and ensure perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. The Congress, however, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for recruiting additional officers into the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
The NUJ decried the persistent increase in transportation fares across routes in the state despite relatively stable petroleum prices. It urged the Ondo State Government, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to regulate the activities of commercial drivers to prevent undue hardship on commuters.
Similarly, the Congress frowned at the arbitrary rise in prices of building materials and house rents, particularly in Akure, and called on the state government to regulate the activities of house agents and building material dealers.
On the lingering boundary dispute over the oil-rich Eba Island between Ondo and Ogun states, the Union appealed to the Federal Government and the National Boundary Commission to intervene urgently to prevent escalation. It urged both states to exercise restraint and pursue legal and peaceful resolution.
The Congress also condemned the crisis that erupted during a recent political congress in the state and advised political actors to exercise restraint ahead of the 2027 general elections. It called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The communiqué was drafted by members of the Communiqué Drafting Committee: Damilola Isaiah (Correspondents’ Chapel), Adebiyi Jimisayo (Federated Chapel) and Joy Pius (OSRC/Orange FM Chapel).
It was e-signed by the State Secretary, Olaoluwa Meshack.
