NUJ South West Slams Cybercrime Abuse, Urges Better Welfare for Journalists
…Commends Ekiti Governor, Tinubu Govt Urged to Fix ‘Death Trap’ Roads
By Our Correspondent | Ado-Ekiti | 24th September 2025
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has strongly condemned the growing misuse of the Cybercrime Act to silence media practitioners, describing it as a threat to press freedom and democratic accountability in the country.
This formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the NUJ South West zonal meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The meeting brought together chairmen and secretaries of the NUJ from all six South West states and was presided over by the Zonal Vice President, Comrade Ronke Samo.
The union leaders expressed concern over the increasing arrest and detention of journalists under the guise of cybercrime violations, warning that the media “must not be gagged under any guise” as it remains the voice of the people.
The Zone also called on South West governors to actively engage with journalists to boost the visibility and transparency of their programmes. It urged state governments to prioritize the welfare of media workers, including upgrading decaying infrastructure in public-owned media houses.
In a show of internal solidarity, the union passed a vote of confidence in the national leadership of NUJ, commending President Comrade Alhassan Yahya for his professionalism and leadership style. The Ekiti State Working Committee, led by Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, also received commendation for its infrastructural development and transparent governance.
The union further lauded Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for what it described as “giant strides” in infrastructure, following a tour of projects in the state. The Zone hailed him as focused and development-driven.
Turning its attention to national issues, the NUJ South West renewed its call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to urgently rehabilitate several decaying federal roads in the region, including the Ado-Aramoko-Itawure-Ilesa Road, Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan Road, Ibadan-Abeokuta Road, and the Ado Ekiti-Ikare Akoko Road, which it described as “death traps.”
The communiqué was signed by Abdulrazak Alege, Zonal Secretary, on behalf of the union, with contributions from the drafting committee comprising Seye Ojo, Meshack Olaoluwa, and O’Seun Ogunsakin.
