Osun NUJ Marks 35th Anniversary, Seeks Improved Welfare For Journalists

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to provide a new bus, health insurance and financial support for the union to enhance the welfare and professional development of journalists in the state.

The Chairman of the council, Comrade (Dr) Adeyemi Aboderin, made the appeal on Monday during the opening ceremony and public lecture marking the union’s 35th anniversary and 2026 Press Week at the NUJ Press Centre, Osogbo.

Aboderin also called for the rehabilitation and renovation of facilities at the Press Centre, monthly financial assistance for the running of the union’s secretariat, as well as regular workshops, seminars and training programmes to improve members’ professional competence.

He said the union’s existing bus, which is about 18 years old, could no longer adequately serve members, particularly when travelling long distances for official assignments.

“We are requesting your support for the supply of a new bus for the mobility of members of the union. The one in use now is about 18 years old and cannot travel far distances,” he said.

The NUJ chairman further urged the governor to consider appointing qualified journalists to strategic positions, noting that such opportunities would enable media professionals to contribute more to governance and societal development.

Aboderin, however, commended Adeleke for approving the conversion of 66 freelance workers of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) to full-time, permanent and pensionable appointments.

He described the governor’s intervention as a significant relief for the affected workers, who had waited for the regularisation of their appointments for a long time.

“Osun NUJ specially thanks you immensely for recently approving the conversion of appointment of 66 freelance staff of OSBC to full-time, permanent and pensionable appointments after a long wait for that to happen. We appreciate you for this. It is an honour we shall continue to cherish for a long time,” he said.

While appreciating the governor for the gesture, Aboderin appealed for the conversion of four remaining staff members of the Ministry of Information who, according to him, were still awaiting approval for permanent appointments.

“Like Oliver Twist, we shall continue to ask for more. There are four staff members of the Ministry of Information who are still waiting for your express approval to enjoy your generosity by converting their appointments to permanent ones,” he added.

Reflecting on the history of the Osun NUJ, Aboderin said the council was established in 1991, shortly after the creation of the state, by journalists who moved from Oyo State to Osogbo to establish the union.

He recalled that the late first Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, donated the present location of the NUJ Press Centre to the union to serve as its secretariat.

The chairman paid tribute to the union’s pioneer executive committee, led by the late Comrade Lekan Awoyemi, for laying the foundation upon which successive administrations had continued to build.

According to him, the council’s 35-year journey has been marked by challenges, but the unity and commitment of practising journalists have helped the union overcome difficult periods.

He described the annual Press Week as an opportunity to recognise journalists’ sacrifices, courage, resilience and dedication to keeping the public informed.

“The week-long programme recognises the invaluable contributions of journalists to state and national development while also promoting fellowship, professional interaction and the exchange of ideas,” he said.

Aboderin acknowledged the contributions of successive Osun administrations to the journalism profession and urged continued collaboration between the government and media practitioners.

He also congratulated recipients of the NUJ awards scheduled as part of the anniversary activities, particularly commending Senator Lere Oyewumi for his role in the regularisation of the 66 OSBC workers’ appointments.

The chairman recognised the guest lecturer, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, for his continued association with the union, while appreciating traditional rulers, government officials and other distinguished guests for attending the ceremony.

He prayed for divine guidance and wisdom for Adeleke’s administration, expressing hope that the governor would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving journalists’ welfare and strengthening media practice in the state.

CityMirrorNews reports that the 35th anniversary and 2026 Press Week is designed to celebrate the contributions of journalists to public enlightenment and development, while providing a platform for professional engagement and reflection on the future of journalism in Osun State.