By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure
Bio Metric Registration of Journalists in Nigeria to commence soon, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Abdulwaheed Odusile has said.
Comrade Odusile who was represented by the National Officer of NUJ, Comrade Ebenezer Adeniyan at the year 2016 Press Week celebration in Akure, said the registration will cut across both the Electronic and Print Media in the country.
According to him, the Bio Metric registration will save Journalists from the job hazard they are often exposed to in the course of performing their legal duties.
He berated the Ondo state Government over the state of its owned media houses, the Ondo State Radio and Television Corporation, OSRC and the Owena Press; Publisher of Hope Newspapers which he described as stinking.
He advised that the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led administration commence the laying of a good foundation for the renovation of these titles before the expiration of his tenure by February 24, 2017.
He however commended Journalists in Ondo State for their positive reportage of the just concluded Governorship election saying, the relative peace enjoyed in the state is as the result of factual and unbiased reports.
While responding, the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade disclosed that government had expended over N90 million on the purchase of Diesel for the OSRC and another N40 million for the procurement of various equipments for the station.
He charged the staff of OSRC to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian Television Authority which has not only paid her staff salaries but also make monthly returns to the Federal Government.
While commending Journalists for the positive report of activities of his administration in the last eight years, he charged the staff of OSRC to be more creative and innovative since government cannot do it all alone ”in this period of economic recession”.
The former Director General of NTDC, Mrs. Omotayo Omotoso was conferred with a special Award in appreciation of her contributions to the Tourism Industry in the country at the occasion.
