Osoba, Jakande Decry Harassment Of Journalists

Lateef Jakande

Lateef Jakande

A former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on Tuesday in Lagos condemned what he called incessant harassment and intimidation of journalists by security agents in the country.

He spoke at the turning of the sod of a 20-room guest house at Somolu, being built by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.

Osoba said: “It is worrisome the manner of harassment and intimidation Nigeria journalists get on daily basis.

“But we must continue to resist it, man for man, blow for blow, word for word.

“We will always go through this unfortunate situation, but it is incumbent on us to fight it.”

Osoba, a one-time Managing Director/CEO of Daily Times Newspapers, however, described the idea of building a guest house by the NUJ as laudable.

“It is impressive. During our days, we made sure that the welfare of journalists was well taken care of,” the chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said.

He described as unfortunate non-payment of wages for journalists by some media houses in the country.

The second republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who also cautioned against oppressing journalists, commended the union for embarking on the project as part of efforts to improve the welfare of members.

Jakande, who expressed joy that he was alive to witness the occasion, noted that the profession had been given a new lease of life.

The National President of NUJ, Malam Muhammad Garba, also deplored the treatment being meted to journalists, particularly by security agents.

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“We are surprised that in recent times, we are seeing high cases of intimidation, arrest and assault on our colleagues, and I think this should not be because we are in a democracy.

“We can only witness this type of thing, probably during the military era,” he said.

According to him, security agents are supposed to work hand-in-hand with the media and not to intimidate them.

“If they have any case against any journalist or any media organisation, they should take them to court.

“Only the court of law can determine whether a journalist is guilty of an offence or not.”

Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, called on philanthropists and corporate organisations to support the project.

“As we all know, journalists always encounter various degrees of hazards daily in their efforts to discharge their constitutional roles.

“It, therefore, becomes understandable to see the Lagos NUJ embark on this unique project in its effort to provide succour to distressed members,” said Ikuforiji, who was represented by Mr. Rotimi Abiru, the Deputy Chief Whip.

Mr. Tunde Bagostowe, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government, pledged the council’s support to the union.

“I commend the union for bringing a guest house to the council area; its presence will make our local government more popular. We will support the project financially and morally.”

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