By Banji Ayoola 
- urges members on forthcoming election duty to uphold ethics
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council has called on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to increase the monthly allocation to The Hope newspaper to enhance its efficiency.
It also urged its members who will cover the coming November 16 Governorship Election to uphold the journalism ethics while going about their lawful duties before, during and after the election.
It pleaded with the state government to prepare a better salary scale for the workers of the state-owned newspaper to reflect the current economic reality and enhance the newspaper’s efficiency.
Specifically, the union appealed to “the Ondo State Minimum Wage Technical Committee headed by the Head of Service to consider and protect the interest of the Staff of the Owena Press Limited (The Hope newspaper) by coming up with better salary scale for them that will reflect the current economic reality, and appeals to the State Government to increase monthly allocation to the media outfit to enable the new Managing Director, Mr Kayode Fasua to carry out various innovations at the newspaper.”
These were some of the fallouts of the union’s monthly congress that was held on Thursday at the union’s press centre in Akure the state capital, as contained in a communique. It was signed by the union’s State Secretary, Olaoluwa Meshack; and prepared by Oluwatosin Ighoteguano of FRCN Positive FM chapel; Precious Oluwole (Fderated Chapel); and Babatunde Ayedoju (Owena Press Chapel.)
Following is the communique issued after the congress, presided over by the council chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, and attended by members across all chapels of the union:
1. That The Congress calls on the Ondo State Government to fast-track negotiations with the organized labour and ensure timely implementation of N73,000 new minimum wage for its workers as promised by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship; and to as well put in place some Palliative measures in the state particularly selling of food items at a subsidized rate to the public.
2. That the Congress pleads with the Ondo State Minimum Wage Technical Committee headed by the Head of Service to consider and protect the interest of the Staff of the Owena Press Limited (The Hope newspaper) by coming up with better salary scale for them that will reflect the current economic reality, and appeals to the State Government to increase monthly allocation to the media outfit to enable the new Managing Director, Mr Kayode Fasua to carry out various innovations at the newspaper.
3. That the Congress commends Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for paying the 2024 Leave Bonus to the State Workers in record time and timely promotion of deserving workers in which some NUJ members benefitted.
4. While our Union also expresses satisfaction with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration in sustaining School Free Shuttle Buses for students in the State, tasks the State Government to conclude without further delay the process of Recruiting teachers for public Primary and Secondary schools in the state, as inadequate number of teachers is really crippling the sector.
5. That the Congress analyzed the political situation in Ondo state ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election especially since the flag-off of campaigns by different political parties, and urges the candidates and their supporters to sustain the current peaceful political activities before, during and after the election.
6. That the Congress equally charges political parties and their Candidates to make their Campaigns more issue-based to enable the electorate to make the right choice, while cautioning Voters not to mortgage their future and that of their children with Vote Trading during the November 16 election.
7. That while expressing satisfaction with level of preparations by various key stakeholders especially the INEC and Security agencies, the NUJ Congress calls on them to provide level play field for candidates before and during the governorship election, for a credible and acceptable poll.
8. That while advising INEC to be very Strict and work with the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in accrediting journalists for the election to prevent fake practitioners from causing unrest in the state with their unprofessional reports, the Congress encourages members of the pen profession to continue to uphold the ethics of journalism especially the Fact-Checking mechanism in doing their jobs.
9. That Ondo NUJ Congress applauds the Ondo State Ministry of Infrastructure under the Special Adviser to Mr Governor, Pastor Joseph Ayo Babalola for recent assistance rendered on the Press Centre road and Sports Arena.