By Temitope Olanipekun
Former Chief Press Secretary to the late governor of Ondo State, Adebayo Adefarati, Mr. Paddy Dare has tasked the Federal and State governments to give priority to the provision of welfare packages that will improve living standard of media professionals in the country.
Dare, who was also former Vice President of NUJ, B Zone, noted that journalists in Nigeria deserve better living wage and affordable housing scheme considering their high work schedules and important contributions to nation’s building.
The former CPS made this known during the rededication of guest house at the NUJ Press Centre and secretariat situated behind Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure
He urged the members to maintain the infrastructure and all facilities provided for the guest house, imploring them to support the leadership of the union to achieve more for the progress of NUJ.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the counci, Mr. James Sowole urged government at all levels to prioritize the welfare of members, saying its newly renovated and refurnished twin guest chalets are to ease accommodation problems of members. Sowole stated that the renovation of the chalets, which gulped millions of Naira, became necessary because of the strategic location of the state as a gateway to other parts of the geo-political zones and states in the country. He further remarked that the renovation of the NUJ Guest House was done to cater for media professionals nationwide and friends of the union.
“Many of our members, who are travelling to other parts of country can have a stop-over and have a place to rest their heads in a cosy place at an affordable rate.
“This will tremendously save them from stress, financial burdens and their security can also be guaranteed with us here in the council as long as they are lodged in our guest house. Even members in the state will also benefit in time of exigencies,” he said.
The new facilities at the Press Centre included standard and executive suites, suitable parking space, large hall, canteen and bar for all sorts of entertainment.
The event was attended by senior media professionals including the General Manager, Positive FM, Mr Adewale Olusola, Former NUJ Chairman, Comrade Dayo Fadahunsi, Ex-managing Director of The Hope Newspaper, Sir Ademola Adetula.
Others included a Director from the state Ministry of Information, Mr. Olufunmi Williams, immediate past chairman of NUJ, Mr Akin Owanikin, NUJ National Ex-officio Ebenezer Adeniyan and members from all chapels.
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