Prepaid Meters: NUJ hails Ondo govt’s bold steps, seeks price reduction

…..Laments influx of children beggars, mentally deranged persons on streets of Akure.

THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), ONDO STATE COUNCIL, HELD ON THURSDAY 27TH JUNE, 2024 AT THE PRESS CENTRE, PEN CRESCENT, ALAGBAKA-AKURE

The Congress was presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite and deliberated on a wide range of issues, from media industry, politics, to economy, security, and welfare of members among others and resolved as follows;

1. That the Congress commends Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for ensuring the implementation of Ondo NUJ resolution which called for reopening of the state owned media outfits (OSRC/Orange FM/Alalaye Radio). The Union notes with delight that the Stations are now back on air.
2. That the Congress commended the Ondo state government for installing streetlights on some major roads in the Akure, the state capital, and charged it to revamp those on Alagbaka-Oba Adesida-Oyemekun road/Arakale road to Ondo road among others to boost socio-economic activities in the capital city.
3. That the Ondo NUJ Congress bemoans the issue of estimated billing by BEDC and hails efforts of the Ondo state government at ensuring that every household has Prepaid Meters. However, journalists at the Congress noted with concern the high cost of the prepaid meters by the State Government and Disco; calling on them to review the meter rate downward in view of the current economic hardship.
4. That the Congress described as worrisome the escalating number of children beggars on the streets of Akure and other major towns across Ondo state. These children have no formal education or trained in any trade or profession. The Congress urged the state government to urgently do something about this as the children will grow into idle and jobless youths that may pose threat to the society in the future.
5. The increasing number of mentally deranged youths in Ondo state and called on relevant authorities, especially the NDLEA, the police, Civil Defence and others to intensity efforts at curbing intake of hard-drug and ‘importing’ of mentally challenged individuals into the state.
6. That the Congress noticed that anti-people policy can lead to uprising and social unrest as it is presently in an African country (Kenya) and urged government at all levels in Nigeria to desist from enacting policies that are anti-people or that does not have direct positive impacts on the people.

COMMUNIQUE DRAFTING COMMITTEE:

1. Alaba Aliu (Federated Chapel).
2. David Fidelis (Correspondents Chapel).
3. Olusegun Hosea (Digital Media Chapel).

E-Signed:
Olaoluwa Meshack
State Secretary.