The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council strongly condemn the deplorable, unjustifiable and condemnable acts of harassment, intimidation, and defamation of character on our esteemed colleague and member of the Union, Comrade Olajide Osoba by the overzealous Particular Assistant to the Governor on College students Affairs, Mr Azeez Adeyemi.
Rising from it’s emergency State Govt Committee (SEC) assembly, the Union condemns the unwarranted threats, assasination of character, verbal abuse, and reprehensible behaviour in the direction of a journalist by Mr. Azeez Adeyemi and a gaggle of people believed to be members and associates of his personal dreaded faction of the Nationwide Affiliation of Nigerian College students (NANS).
This completely unacceptable act started from the 2025 Might 1st celebration which our Union, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), an affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) actively participated together with her members. Comrade Osoba, a bonafide member of the NUJ, was in attendance however later harassed, mercilessly crushed and significantly wounded, allegedly, on the directive of the Particular Assistant to the Governor on Pupil Affairs, Comrade Azeez Adeyemi, whereas popping out of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, with no trigger.
This unlucky case, Comrade Osoba, incidented on the Ibara Divisional Police Station, Ibara, Abeokuta. Following his invitation for inquiry by the police from Ibara Divisional Police Station, the S.A has left no stone unturned in his intentional try to harass, intimidate and coerce Olajide Osoba, as he launched into retaliatory strikes by writing two frivolous petitions through which he immediately referred to as Olajide Osoba a member of a dreaded cult group, and requested the police to hunt and arrest the journalist utilizing his workplace as Particular Assistant to Governor as foundation for this oppression.
Final week solely, cops from the State Headquarters, Eleweran, got here to arrest Osoba, ready on him from morning until night time in order to be whisked away even with out prior invitation. In the identical vein, officers from the Abeokuta division of the workplace of the AIG, Zone 2, Lagos, got here with one other a call for participation whereas Adeyemi’s boys additionally regularly laid siege for Osoba on the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre.
This completely uncivilized behaviour from the Particular Assistant can’t be tolerated in a democratic society, granted that any type of assault on a journalist is an affront to the elemental ideas of press freedom and the best of residents to entry correct and unbiased data. The press should stay free, unshackled, and empowered to satisfy its very important function in society.
It’s deeply regarding that a person entrusted with the duty of upholding legislation and order would resort to utilizing extreme power and intimidation towards journalists. Such actions not solely undermine the integrity of the media but in addition erode the belief between the federal government and the individuals it serves.
Consequently, we resolve as follows:
1. That Mr. Azeez Adeyemi, his faction of the NANS members, and their accomplices are forthwith banned and declared persona non grata inside and round our Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin Press Home, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
2. That police and thugs harassment and intimidation of our members (journalists) orchestrated by the Particular Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Azeez Adeyemi, and other people alike ought to instantly cease whereas correct investigation ought to be launched into the matter, srarting from 2025 Might Day celebration brutal incident. We will not tolerate or settle for any transfer that can gag our members and forestall them from discharging their statutory tasks underneath any guise in Ogun State.
2. That as proponents of freedom of the press, underneath no circumstance, we could allow any transfer that can silence the conscience of the members of the fourth property of the realm. Our Secretariat is a secure area for press freedom {and professional} journalism.
3. We urge the federal government of Ogun State to take swift and decisive motion to name the Particular Assistant to order, and to make sure that measures are put in place to safeguard the rights and security of lives of journalists as repeated infractions will not be handled frivolously.
4. That Ogun NUJ and its members have loved good working relationship and improbable partnership with the federal government of Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, and we will not permit an overzealous Particular Assistant to pitch authorities towards the media, giving authorities unhealthy picture within the sights of the general public.
5. Ogun NUJ reiterates its dedication to defending the rights and dignity of journalists and sustaining the sanctity of the media area within the State.
Comrade Wale Olanrewaju
Chairman, NUJ Ogun State Council
Comrade Bunmi Adigun
Secretary, NUJ Ogun State Council
