NUJ Names Main Hall After Youth Minister, Raises Concerns Over Security, Roads in Ondo
By Olusegun HOSEA
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, has resolved to name the biggest hall at its Press Centre in Akure after the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, in recognition of his contributions to the upgrade of facilities at the secretariat.
The decision was among key resolutions reached at the union’s monthly congress held on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure, and presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite.
The congress also called on the Federal Government to urgently address manpower shortages in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria, stressing that adequate staffing and funding are vital for efficient public service broadcasting.
Members commended the administration of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo State House of Assembly for enacting legislation incorporating Owena Press, publishers of The Hope newspaper. The union, however, urged the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, and the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, to ensure full implementation of the law establishing the Ondo State Government Printing and Publishing Corporation.
On security, the congress lauded the national leadership of the NUJ under Alhassan Yahya for organising a National Security Summit in collaboration with the Department of State Services and called for the implementation of recommendations from the gathering to address the country’s growing insecurity.
The journalists also applauded the ongoing construction of the flyover on Oba Adesida Road in Akure, describing it as a landmark project, while urging the government and contractors to complete the work within schedule. They further appealed for stricter regulation of illegal parking by commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators along Arakale Road to ease traffic congestion during the construction period.
The congress expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Akure-Owo-Benin dualisation project, particularly on the Akure-Ogbese axis, and urged contractors to improve traffic management and complete one carriageway before commencing work on the other.
Members also decried rising road accidents linked to traffic light violations within Akure metropolis, calling on transport authorities and law enforcement agencies to intensify enforcement and sanction offenders.
The union raised alarm over the influx of unidentified persons posing as beggars and mentally unstable individuals in Akure and other towns, urging security agencies to strengthen surveillance to forestall potential security threats.
On environmental issues, the congress criticised the state’s waste management system, noting that indiscriminate refuse accumulation was turning parts of the capital city into dumpsites. It called on the government to provide additional waste disposal equipment, operational vehicles and recruit more personnel to improve sanitation services.
The NUJ also commended the peaceful conduct of the Ondo South Senatorial by-election by the Independent National Electoral Commission and congratulated Adedayo Faduyile on his victory and subsequent inauguration at the National Assembly.
The communiqué was signed by the State Secretary of the council, Olaoluwa Meshack, on behalf of the drafting committee.
