…as EKSG lauds Ojomoyela-led administration over construction despite paucity of fund
Adebayo Adenrele, Thelma Osatohanmwen
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council on Tuesday commissioned a three-block classrooms for its learning wing, International Institute of Journalism(IIJ), Ado-Ekiti Campus.
While Commissioning the project, Hon Yinka OYEBODE, Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Media, noted that the state government under the leadership of Oyebanji has been in continuous partnership with Journalists in the state, stressing on the important roles that the fourth estate of the realm has been playing in his administration.
His words: “I am extremely honoured to do this and I feel extremely humbled and knowing that the leadership of NUJ Ekiti is doing this, I am very proud of them and I feel extremely humbled to have the privilege to do this.
“The Ekiti State Government has benefited from a very remarkable cooperation and support of the journalist working in Ekiti State and therefore helped the government’s development agenda, helped in communicating it to the people because this is a government that governor Oyebanji abayomi believes in, communication from the government to the people, development with the people and cannot do it without the active support of the media, and journalists in Ekiti state support this unconditionally, without any form of conditions and we are happy and grateful to them.”
The CPS commended the outgoing administration under the tutelage of Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, saying he has broken the jinx and taken the council to the next level of development despite the paucity of fund in the Union.
Speaking on quackeries, he advised the Union to cut their wings in order not to tarnish the image of the council, adding that they should reduce the effects of those who don’t pass through the rudiment of the profession.
“Like any other profession, there are always quacks but it now builds on the leadership to know how to go about it to climb down on them so that they don’t tarnish the image the association has built over the years.
“The Union should be able to climb down on the effect of those who cannot take the pain of going through the rudiment of the training.”
While pledging allegiance of the state government to continued partnership with Journalists, he advised the incoming administration, which is to be led by Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, to build on the qualitative leadership.
The outgoing Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela said his administration has envisaged to provide such facility since inception in 2017 but has been challenging due to paucity of fund.
He exuded confidence in the next adminstration, enjoining them to work on it and also extend it to include staff house as a means of relaxation for all and sundry.
The International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) is a monotechnic and learning wing of NUJ which is affiliated to the University of Maiduguri, and in relationship with University of Ilorin, Open University, Adekunle Ajasin University, for masters and post graduate.
On his part, a former chairman of the council, Akogun Tai Oguntayo hailed the Ojomoyela-led administration over the construction of the facility, adding that it is a testament of a serious academic work.
The Coordinator of the Institute, Dare Daniels said the Union also has plans to erect more business structures so that people can be accommodated.
He added that NUJ has a dream of having a Pen School, which is a replica of a coaching centre.