Polls: NUJ condemns pre-election violence in Ibadan

...Urges security agencies to secure voters, INEC staff

...Tasks journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Ademola Babalola, on Friday condemned the pre-election violence, which claimed three lives and injured others in Ibadan tasking security agencies to step up security for electorate and staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during and after Saturday gubernatorial and State Assembly polls.

The number one Journalist in the state also called for the arrest of the pepertrators of the killings, saying that Oyo State should not be allowed to descend into "war of political thugs" and killing of innocent citizens and residents.

Babalola in a press statement made available to newsmen by the NUJ Secretary,  Sola Oladapo, bemoaned the clash between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday.

The NUJ Chairman described the development as reprehensible, ungodly and barbaric, which should not have happened at all, if the gladiators had prevailed on their supporters to toe the path of honour and embrace peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections.

While appealing to gubernatorial candidates in the state to caution their supporters to stop violent attacks and counter attacks,  Babalola noted that violence could threaten voters turn out and suppress participation in the election.

Babalola said: 'The senseless attacks and attendant killings of three people in Ile-Titun area of Ibadan South East Local Government of the state ought not to have happened at all.

'This development has shown that our people are yet to learn their lessons that no blood of any individual is worth the aspiration of any candidate or their corresponding political party.

'It is a shame and highly reprehensible that despite the peace accord signed by the political parties and their gubernatorial candidates, supporters could still go overboard and engage in supremacy battle to the extent of shedding blood.

'The NUJ views this development as condemnable, ugly, and ungodly. The security agents should ensure perpetrators of this act are brought to justice. Every life matters and culprits of this despicable act should be made to face the music accordingly,' Babalola added.

"No candidate should be happy that those they plan to govern are being killed because of power tussle. We, in NUJ, think that politicians should allow electorate to decide their fates at the polls without threats of violence or killings"

Babalola also tasked his colleagues  -the journalists to be wary of their "mad rush to break unverified news," filter and verify sources of their information, and carry out diligent investigation before rushing to the press.

The NUJ Chairman said that the 'modern day bloggers and social media influencers' are the worst culprits in this regard, warning them to refrain from being used as tools in the hands of desperate politicians.

Babalola harped on ethics of journalism and professionalism which dwell on objectivity, fairness and factual reportage of events to ward off sensationalism and prejudice that could set the State on fire or allow for a repeat of Rwanda genocide which left many lives wasted.

"As journalists, we should know that Oyo State must exist after elections, and we should embrace conflict sensitive reporting. We should be responsible with our reportage of news."

OYO MMPN TASKS STAKEHOLDERS ON PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN in Oyo State has cautioned political actors to prevail on their supporters to avoid engaging in public disturbance ahead, during and after the Saturday Governorship and Houses of Assembly Elections. 

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Oyo MMPN, Alhaji Adebayo Abdur-Rofih, the group observed that heightened tensions in the political space will be detrimental to the conduct and success of the Elections. 

It urged both the conventional and online Media practitioners to as a matter of responsibility avoid the spread of fake and hateful messages which may further aggravate the already tensed political atmosphere.

The group charged security operatives not to be distracted in the discharge of their duty of maintaining public peace and ensuring hitch-free conduct of the Elections.

The Oyo MMPN further enjoined the electorate to troop out enmasse to exercise their civic duty and avoid any act capable of undermining the credibility of the Elections. 

It equally enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to put necessary human and material resources in place to guide against unnecessary agitations from the electorate during the period of the election.

 

While noting that no life of an individual is worth being wasted or sacrificed for the purpose of the Elections, the Oyo MMPN advised youths not to make themselves available tools in the hands of desperate and selfish politicians who are bent on winning the election by hook or crook.

Shun Violence During Guber Polls, Olagoke Warns Politicians

Hours to the gubernatorial elections across the country, the Founder and Spiritual head of the Shafaudeen in Islam worldwide, Alhaji Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP has called on the candidates of the leading political parties to educate their followers on the need to be peaceful during the election to avoid crisis that can lead to bloodshed .

The renown cleric who is also the Mogaji Ogun Elu of the Aare Alaasa dynasty urged the electorates to also abide by the laid down principle of the INEC.

He disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan where he told the electorates to vote according to their conscience and avoid  breakdown of the law and order.

Prof. Olagoke while speaking about religious leaders aiding some politicians because of their political gains urged such religious leaders to  instead of fuelling political crisis through their preaching educate politicians to love the masses who repose their confidence in them.

According to him " God the Almighty Allah want us to love one another and that love should be generated from our religious houses while both the Muslim and Christian preachers as well as other Religious affiliate should see themselves as one because we worship the same God".

Olagoke however urged the people not to allow the politicians use them as thugs because of peanut that can not take them anywhere and remember that the politicians have relocated their children abroad.

" Religious leaders from all religions need to work together in peace and harmony so as to create an environment that will lead to complete development and functional democracy that will promote Peace and Sustainable Development" .

The Arole Ogun Elu however called on members of the public to go out and exercise their franchise and pray to Allah that the best candidates with passion for their welfare will emerge inshAllah".

"Religious leaders must be pro-active and speak with one voice to change things positively and for the young ones not to be misled. 

Prof. Olagoke however urged whoever become victorious in the election to work with candidates of the opposition parties by collapsing their manifestos to better the lots of the people for meaningful development.

Hon. Segelu drums support for Makinde, PDP Assembly candidates

A Germany-based politician and businessman, Hon. Olayinka Segelu, has drummed support for the re-election of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, insisting that he has done excellently well to deserve a second term in office.

Segelu, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman/CEO of YSEG Hotel in Ibadan, also threw his weight behind all his party’s candidates for the state assembly election, expressing confidence that they would work in cordiality with Makinde to ensure greater dividends of democracy for the people.

“It is important for our people to come out en masse on March 18, 2023, to vote massively for our beloved Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and all the candidates of PDP for the state assembly election in the interest of our dear state. There is no gainsaying the fact that Makinde has achieved a lot in the transformation of Oyo State since he took over the mantle of leadership in the state on the platform of the PDP. It is therefore incumbent upon us to give him another opportunity to enable him continue with his good works.

“To further make his job easy in his second term, we equally need to vote in the PDP Assembly candidates. It is the cordial relationship between the Governor as the head of the executive and the members of the state assembly who are in the legislature that will guarantee the smooth running of government to the benefit of the people. This is why we have to vote for Makinde and all the PDP assembly flag bearers on Saturday,” Segele pleaded.

The YSEG Hotel boss observed that “There is virtually no sector of the state economy that Makinde has not made a significant impact on. His developmental strides are obviously there for everyone to see and the people are happy with what he has done. It will be to the disadvantage of the state for us to look elsewhere when we have a man that clearly demonstrated pragmatic, resourceful and purposeful leadership to the admiration of the entire people of Oyo State. Nothing can be wiser than re-electing him for us to continue to feel the impact of good governance.”

Hon. Segelu drums support for Makinde, PDP Assembly candidates

A Germany-based politician and businessman, Hon. Olayinka Segelu, has drummed support for the re-election of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, insisting that he has done excellently well to deserve a second term in office.

Segelu, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman/CEO of YSEG Hotel in Ibadan, also threw his weight behind all his party’s candidates for the state assembly election, expressing confidence that they would work in cordiality with Makinde to ensure greater dividends of democracy for the people.

“It is important for our people to come out en masse on March 18, 2023, to vote massively for our beloved Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and all the candidates of PDP for the state assembly election in the interest of our dear state. There is no gainsaying the fact that Makinde has achieved a lot in the transformation of Oyo State since he took over the mantle of leadership in the state on the platform of the PDP. It is therefore incumbent upon us to give him another opportunity to enable him continue with his good works.

“To further make his job easy in his second term, we equally need to vote in the PDP Assembly candidates. It is the cordial relationship between the Governor as the head of the executive and the members of the state assembly who are in the legislature that will guarantee the smooth running of government to the benefit of the people. This is why we have to vote for Makinde and all the PDP assembly flag bearers on Saturday,” Segele pleaded.

The YSEG Hotel boss observed that “There is virtually no sector of the state economy that Makinde has not made a significant impact on. His developmental strides are obviously there for everyone to see and the people are happy with what he has done. It will be to the disadvantage of the state for us to look elsewhere when we have a man that clearly demonstrated pragmatic, resourceful and purposeful leadership to the admiration of the entire people of Oyo State. Nothing can be wiser than re-electing him for us to continue to feel the impact of good governance.”

Oyo Govt, to Partner Entertainment, Creative Industry

The Oyo State Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun has said that the present administration will partner Entertainment, Creative industry in the State

She stated this while hosting the Association of Entertainment Stakeholders in Oyo State at the SSG's conference room, Secretariat, Ibadan.

She said  the State has a lot of tourists sites which according to her would be developed to the world modern standard.

She added that the present administration believes in youth development and entertainment industry is one of the sector the nation have many of the Nigerian youth that need to be encouraged.

According to the Secretary to the State Government "Tourism industry is one of our Pillars in Omititun 2.0, we will develop all our tourist sites to increase state internally generated revenue, definitely creative industry will not left behind."

She enjoined the association to support Governor Seyi Makinde led administration for the second term in office (Omititun 2.0) in order to complete the good work he had started in the State.

Responding, the coordinator of the association, Mr, Damola Layade commended the State Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde for his believe in youth development in entertainment industry.

Layode added that Oyo State has a huge catchment area in entertainment industry, hinting that, the association will take the creative industry to the next level in the State.

International Women's Daysalutes Nigerian women's courage in politics, other spheres

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone B, has commended the courage and doggedness of the Nigeria women in politics and other spheres of life in recent times, noting that women have began to make more meaningful impact on  the growth and development  of the country.

Vice-President of the NUJ, South West Zone, Comrade Ronke Afebioye- Samo, in a release on Wednesday, noted that Nigeria women of this generation deserve commendation for their active and productive roles in the public sphere and thus, "deserve to be celebrated on a day like the women's day which is today".

Samo observed that women are taking greater responsibilities in the present day Nigeria and this is exemplified by a female Deputy Governor emerging in Ekiti, Office of the First Lady being recognized , women emerging as Presidential, Governorship and Senatorial candidates of political parties as well as more  women becoming ministers in the cabinet of the Federal Government. She said this is a welcome development in the country.

 

The release reads further: " We use a day like this to celebrate these great and aspiring Nigerian women who are making the Nigerian womenfolk really proud with their focus and achievements in all ways.

"We salute their courage and doggedness in ensuring that they compete favourably well with men in governance, politics, and the corporate world, among others. 

"We equally use this medium to advocate for more support for our women in their aspirations for greater heights. We therefore, urge the menfolk not to see these aspiring women as having inordinate ambitions but positive ambitions that would make our society much better if achieved.

"We also advocate for more empowerment for our women in terms of educational empowerment for the girl child, occupational or vocational empowerment for young and middle aged women in need of such and a level playing ground for all the women with men in their pursuit of greater and loftier heights in their various fields of human endeavour. 

" Above all, we salute our women who are soaring high in their fields and making the world to realize that there is so much that women can do to make things better in our world.

"God bless the Nigerian women, God bless our men and long live Nigeria," Samo said.