Ondo NUJ seeks government intervention on press centre renovation, media reforms

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently facilitate the renovation of the union’s Press Centre in Akure, following damage to its roof and ceiling caused by rainstorm.

This appeal formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s monthly Congress held on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, at the Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure. The meeting, which was presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, was well-attended by members from various chapels across the state.

The Congress deliberated extensively on issues ranging from national politics, the economy, security, agriculture, and environmental matters, to the welfare of journalists. In its resolutions, the union commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for appointing a seasoned journalist, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, as the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

It urged the new commissioner to pursue impactful media policies that would strengthen journalism practice in the state.The union also decried the rising trend of casualisation of media workers, especially in private media houses, describing it as a violation of international labour laws.

It called on media proprietors to uphold ethical labour practices.Furthermore, the Congress called on both the Federal and Ondo State Governments to urgently address manpower shortages in public-owned media outfits including FRCN, NTA, OSRC/Orange FM, and The Hope Newspaper, describing these organisations as vital platforms for public enlightenment and dissemination of government policies.

The union lauded journalists in the state for their adherence to professional ethics but cautioned them against the spread of fake news.

It encouraged media practitioners to verify facts thoroughly, particularly in the digital era dominated by artificial intelligence.Additionally, the Congress congratulated the re-elected executive members of the Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), urging them to sustain their advocacy for the rights of women and the girl child.