The Chairman of Oyo state’s Council of National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ademola Babalola has described his predecessor Comrade Adewunmi Faniran as his boss and pal despite the cold war between them.
He made this known while featuring on Parrot Xtra Hour on Radio, a magazine show aired on Space FM 90.1 on Tuesday.
Babalola said despite the legal battle engaged in by Faniran after the December, 2019 election that ushered him into power as Oyo’s number one journalist, he does not presently harbor any grudges.
In his words, “Comrade Faniran is still my big Egbon, and boss in the profession of journalism. For now, the election of December 18 has pitted him against the union and the matter is still in court. Like I told you before, he’s still my very good friend and boss, he’s my personal person and we’re still talking.”
Comrade Babalola, during the interview also revealed his plans for Oyo state journalists. He said, “I promised to launch a trust fund for journalists and that is the first one in the history of Nigeria. It was conceptualized by me during the campaign to help our members who are in need of financial support.
“We are all journalists earning salaries from private institutions like radio stations, television stations and newspaper organizations. Many of them are not paying salaries as at when due. NUJ as a body should be there to support its members during their time of need financially. I would have launched the trust fund two days ago if not for the coronavirus pandemic”.
The Chairman of Oyo State’s council of NUJ also enumerated his achievements in the past 100 days.
According to him, “we are re-branding the Press Center to be suitable for journalists and others, we are also forming a co-operative society to help our members after retirement, so they will have something to fall back on. Two acres of land has been provided by NUJ and given to developers. We want to build a hall and maybe a five star hotel.”
Packaged by Olaitan Ige
