Journalists Threaten Showdown With Ogun Lawmakers Over Ban

pmnews-placeholder

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and the Correspondents Chapel in Ogun State are set for a showdown with the state’s lawmakers for barring correspondents with all private media organisations in the state from covering its proceedings because of bomb scare.

 

It was gathered, that the lawmakers, through the security committee headed by Hon. Abiodun Akovoyon representing Ipokia State Constituency, had resolved that all journalists from private media outfits will henceforth be barred from covering the activities of the Assembly and only journalists with government owned media will be allowed.

 

Journalists with private owned media organisations have kicked against the directive and have vowed to fight the lawmakers.

 

A State Executive Council (SEC) meeting will be held at the Iwe Iroyin, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta where the issue will be discussed.

 

Our correspondent gathered that the plan of the media practitioners in the state is to direct all its members to boycott all activities of the state government and the legislators until the lawmakers rescind their embargo and write an apology letter to both the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Correspondents’ Chapel.

 

Many private media organisations have been putting calls across to their correspondents in the state to comply with whatever moves taken by the union.

 

As at the time of filling this report, executive meeting of the correspondents chapel was going on while several meetings were held in the morning.

 

Meanwhile, tomorrow has been declared by the state government as a public holiday in the state to mark the 13th anniversary of the death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12,1993 Presidential election, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

 

Abiola died in detention on 7 July, 1998.

 

As at the time of filling this report, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication, Mrs Funmi Wakama was yet to release the activities lined up for the anniversary.

 

By Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Load more