Engineer Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State has laid the foundation for the building of a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council Mall.
The turning of the sod was performed at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan on Monday.
The mall, a partnership between the Oyo NUJ and the Nouveaux Rich Limited, will house 40 shops, a 1,000 capacity hall, children playstation, chalets, relaxation spot, and swimming pool side.
Speaking at the event, Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, said that such a project by the NUJ was long overdue.
He said the Oyo NUJ was bound to benefit from the economies of having such a mall in a prime location as Iyaganku.
He lauded the present Ademola Babalola-led Oyo NUJ for the vision, admonishing the union to ensure they tighten any loose end peculiar to projects on a Build Operate Transfer scheme.
This, he said, will prevent a stall or delay to the timely completion of the project.
In his remarks, the project developer, Architect Ayo Ogunlade said a two and a half years timeline was set for completion of the project.
He said the Nouveaux Rich Limited would leverage on the prime location of the centre to attract the needed funding for the project.
Ogunlade assured that the mall will be built in accordance with international and modern standard.
In his remarks, the Oyo NUJ chairman, Ademola Babalola said the project was envisioned to enable the NUJ to have a source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
This, he said, was to prevent a situation that normally sees the union going cap in hand soliciting for funds from government and its officials for its programmes.
The event was attended by veterans of the NUJ, government officials and media personalities.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
