Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the state government and federal representatives to strengthen support for media development, improve workers’ welfare and intensify efforts in safeguarding the state, following its Congress held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure.
The Congress, presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, was attended by members from various chapels across the state. After deliberations on politics, economy, security, environment, and welfare matters, the union issued a ten-point communique highlighting key resolutions.
The NUJ expressed profound appreciation to the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his intervention and commitment to constructing a new building for the union, with the aim of making the Press Centre more conducive for journalists.
The union urged the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing to fast-track the project to enable its commissioning during the 50th anniversary of Ondo NUJ and the creation of the state early next year.
The Congress also thanked the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, for his financial support toward renovating the dilapidated main building at the Press Centre, as well as his plan to mobilize resources for a new Press Centre Chalet.
Similarly, the NUJ applauded Hon. Olawande and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their quality representation at the national level and for fulfilling their mandates effectively.
The union, however, called on the 12 National Assembly members from Ondo State to extend their developmental interventions to the NUJ, considering the strategic role of the media in democracy and social development.
On the state media system, the Congress urged the state government to speed up the process of making Owena Press (publishers of The Hope Newspaper) a corporation under the Ministry of Information. It noted that the transition would enable the organisation to fully comply with public service rules, ensuring proper career progression for its staff.
The NUJ further appealed to the state government to clear the four months minimum wage arrears owed workers since late 2024 and early 2025.
The Congress also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Director-General of the OSRC/Orange FM Media Group, Mr. Kenneth Stevenson Odusola, for granting permanent employment to temporary staff, thereby ending casualisation in the state-owned media outfit.
Addressing rising insecurity across the country, the Union urged South-West governors to continue strengthening and funding the Amotekun Corps, noting that the regional security outfit has demonstrated significant promise in combating crime.
The Congress emphasised that security remains a shared responsibility and encouraged residents to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their communities.
The union also called on members to participate actively in the forthcoming 2025 Press Week, scheduled to hold from December 14 to 21.
The communique was signed by the State Secretary, Olaoluwa Meshack, and drafted by a committee chaired by Fidelis David (Correspondents’ Chapel) with Adekola Afolabi (Owena Press Chapel) as a member.
