By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
Calm is gradually returning to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
‘ Estate Arepo, Ogun State, following a mediation between the Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi and Residents of Journalists’ Estate, Arepo, Ogun State on Wednesday.
Some of the stakeholders present included the Director- General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, Chief Chris Isiguzo, President of NUJ, and Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman Lagos NUJ.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, February 8 2022, the Ebute residents in collaboration with Arepo community stormed the Journalists Estate and pulled down the gate already replaced by the residents to protect themselves from invasion of the estate by hoodlums.
The gate had been erected since the inception of the estate over 20 years ago but was removed few months ago due to the ongoing construction of the road awarded by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Runsewe, a former Chairman of Arepo Journalists’ Estate appealed to the traditional ruler of Arepo and residents of the Journalists’ Estate to embrace peace.
“I want this issue to be resolved once and for all. I have also reached out to Ogun State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Waheed Odusile and Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs to broker peace in the Estate, ” he said.
On his part, President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo reaffirmed that the union would do all within its reach to safeguard the rights and lives of Journalists at all times.
He noted that journalists were responsible for the tremendious developments in the Arepo axis of the state and as such, their interest must be protected at all times with adequate security.
“There is security of Estates everywhere in the world and Journalists’ Estate Arepo cannot be an exception.
“Journalists’ Estate in Arepo has become a prototype that other states are taking a cue from; it is our pride; and this legacy will last forever.
Oba Oyebi who received the team, said he was ready to resolve the issues amicably.
The Oba said that a meeting with history chiefs, the representatives of residents of Journalists’ Estate Arepo and Beachland Residents Association would be called in earnest for further deliberation.
Lagos NUJ Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, urged residents of Journalists’ Estate to be hopeful, saying there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Ajayi pledged his commitment to stand by Journalists’ Estate residents until the matter is pursued to a logical conclusion.
Some of the stakeholders present included the Director- General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, Chief Chris Isiguzo, President of NUJ, and Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman Lagos NUJ.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, February 8 2022, the Ebute residents in collaboration with Arepo community stormed the Journalists Estate and pulled down the gate already replaced by the residents to protect themselves from invasion of the estate by hoodlums.
The gate had been erected since the inception of the estate over 20 years ago but was removed few months ago due to the ongoing construction of the road awarded by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Runsewe, a former Chairman of Arepo Journalists’ Estate appealed to the traditional ruler of Arepo and residents of the Journalists’ Estate to embrace peace.
“I want this issue to be resolved once and for all. I have also reached out to Ogun State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Waheed Odusile and Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs to broker peace in the Estate, ” he said.
On his part, President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo reaffirmed that the union would do all within its reach to safeguard the rights and lives of Journalists at all times.
He noted that journalists were responsible for the tremendious developments in the Arepo axis of the state and as such, their interest must be protected at all times with adequate security.
“There is security of Estates everywhere in the world and Journalists’ Estate Arepo cannot be an exception.
“Journalists’ Estate in Arepo has become a prototype that other states are taking a cue from; it is our pride; and this legacy will last forever.
Oba Oyebi who received the team, said he was ready to resolve the issues amicably.
The Oba said that a meeting with history chiefs, the representatives of residents of Journalists’ Estate Arepo and Beachland Residents Association would be called in earnest for further deliberation.
Lagos NUJ Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, urged residents of Journalists’ Estate to be hopeful, saying there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Ajayi pledged his commitment to stand by Journalists’ Estate residents until the matter is pursued to a logical conclusion.
