Ogun NUJ raises alarm over plot to sell Iwe iroyin Union’s Secretariat, Permanent site
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State chapter has raised alarm over attempt plan by suspected land grabbers to sell Iwe iroyin union’s Secretariat and the permanent site allocated to them by the State Government.
The chairman of the body, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Secretariat, Okelewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Olarewaju warned any one planing to make the move to desist from it or he or she will face the full wrath of law.
He said ” I want to heartily welcome you all gentlemen of this noble profession practicing in Ogun State to this World Press Conference holding today, Wednesday, 30th May, 2023.
“First, as one and indivisible family, NUJ Ogun Council, we are using this platform to again warmly congratulate our indefatigable, promise-keeping and selfless leader and Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, CON on his symbolic swearing-in ceremony that ushered him in for another term as Governor of our dear State. In the same vein, the entire journalists in the State felicitate the Governor as he marks his 63 years birthday on May 29, as divinely conspired by nature and destiny.
“We pray love and laughter light your days, warm your heart and home, bless your world with peace and plenty, while all life’s passing seasons give you joy that long endures, and also bring the best to you and yours now and always! Your Excellency, congratulations!
“The Council called this World Press Conference to address critical issues affecting the state of the Ogun NUJ. One, our site situated behind Providence Hotel at Leme axis, has been encroached on by unscrupulous land speculators/grabbers taking advantage of the land laying fallow over the years.
“This fraudulent act is orchestrated by one Prince Gbenga Olusoga who brazenly brags of his connection in high places especially the Governor and government of Ogun State in connivance with one Engineer Lekan Banjoko who has no connection to the land and the area but going about feeding fat on vacant lands in connivance with his cohorts in government relevant agencies. This he boasts of at different fora.
“Prince Olusoga, in flagrant disregard to NUJ ownership of the land, rented out our land to mechanics, panel beaters and the rest, collecting money and feeding fat where he did not sow.
“For the records, the said land has a genuine Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) openly and proudly presented by Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State while in office.
“Our current space popularly called and known Iwe Irohin christened after the first newspaper publication in Nigeria by Reverend Henry Townsend is currently under siege by some greedy individuals who are retired and serving staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing! Some years ago, the space allocated in honour of journalists and the progenitor of journalism, Reverend Henry Townsend since 1992, was put up for sale by one Surveyor Bajo who retired from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
“Also the menace of ladies of the nights and easy virtue which we had severely dealt with has got to the crescendo! With all our concerted efforts, these young ladies popularly called Olosho refused to cease coming to our secretariat to ply their illicit trades even in spite of the sting operations and other concerted efforts with security agencies to put to an end their unholy invasion of our premises. These, no doubt, has been a kind of dent on the image of the Ogun NUJ.
“Other issue is the unwholesome use of stickers of the Union by non-members of the Ogun NUJ. Henceforth, a high powered committee in conjunction with security operatives will be set out to put an end to the use of out sticker by all Dick, Tom and Harry.
“Also there are serious moves from some quarters to dislodge us from this place where we currently occupied.
I make bold to tell you that the attempt of these evil planners who took it upon themselves to invite me and dangle some mouth watering, life changing Perks before me would be vehemently rejected.
“PRAYERS:
1. The entire journalists in the State is using this platform to call on the Governor, Chief Security Adviser and all security agencies to call these two undesirable elements to order by instructing them to henceforth stop any form of incursion, trespassing and encroachment on this land as it is in no way available for any use as it belongs to the Ogun NUJ.
“We call on the Federal Government to restrain those officers in the Ministry of Works and Housing to discontinue their unholy interest in our land.
” We call on security agencies to help us rid the secretariat of these sex workers and drug peddlers who have turned our secretariat to their have.
“Gentleman of the Press, finally, we want to emphasize that well meaning people of the state who in one way of the other connected or know Engr.Lekan Banjoko and Prince Gbenga Olusoga should advise and warn the duo to stay clear of the property of OGUN NUJ in their own interest. We also call on the general public especially, non discerning prospective buyers to be wary of antics of the duo of Engr. Lekan Banjoko, Prince Gbenga Olusoga and their ilks as OGUN NUJ land situated at Leme axis behind The Providence Hotel remains the property of the OGUN NUJ”
