The Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has applauded Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, for their significant contributions toward the ongoing infrastructural upgrades at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure.
The commendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s congress held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, and attended by journalists from various chapels.
According to the communiqué, the Congress expressed deep appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for his intervention and commitment to constructing a new structure at the Press Centre, aimed at enhancing the working environment for media practitioners in the state.
It urged the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing to accelerate work on the project so it can be commissioned during the 50th anniversary celebration of ONDO NUJ and the creation of the state early next year.
The Youth Minister, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, was also commended for his generous financial support toward renovating the dilapidated main building at the centre, as well as for his pledge to mobilise additional support for the construction of a new Press Centre Chalet.
The communiqué further noted that the Ondo NUJ applauded both Olawande and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for delivering effectively on their national assignments and giving the state credible representation at the federal level.
The Congress urged the twelve National Assembly members from the state to include the NUJ in their developmental interventions, stressing the strategic role of the media in societal development.
On the state-owned Owena Press, publishers of The Hope newspaper, the union called on the state government to fast-track its transition into a corporation under the Ministry of Information to ensure full compliance with public service rules and facilitate career progression for its workers.
It also appealed to the government to settle four months’ minimum wage arrears owed since late last year and early this year.
The Congress commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Director General of OSRC/Orange FM Media Group, Mr. Kenneth Stevenson Odusola, for granting permanent employment to temporary staff, describing it as a decisive end to the casualisation of media workers.
On security, the union raised concerns over the rising insecurity across the country and urged South-West governors to strengthen the Amotekun Corps, which it said has shown great promise in regional security. It reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and encouraged residents to be proactive and united in addressing threats.
The Congress also urged members to participate actively in the 2025 Press Week celebrations scheduled for December 14–21.
The communiqué was signed by State Secretary, Olaoluwa Meshack, on behalf of the drafting committee comprising Fidelis David and Adekola Afolabi.
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