BY LAW IBITOYE
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti state Council, has appealed to the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to appoint its members in the State Ministry of Information as permanent secretaries.
The Union, in a communique signed by its Secretary, O’Seun Ogunsakin, noted that no qualified Information Officer has ever been appointed as permanent secretary 28 years after creation of Ekiti State.
The NUJ, at the May edition of its monthly congress, noted that two senior Information Officers have been on Grade level 16 for about six years without being elevated as permanent secretaries while 19 others on grade level 15 officers have already undergone processes for promotion to level 16; the Ministry now have 21 officers on grade level 16 .
Ekiti state Journalists passionately appealed to Governor Oyebanji to end the age long injustice melted to information officers of the ministry of Information.
Also, the union appealed to Governor Oyebanji to pay Weigh-in allowance to its members in the Ministry, saying appointing Information Officers as permanent secretaries as done recently by Ogun State would boost the morale of the Officer to give their best to Ekiti state government.
“The Congress urged the State Governor to graciously consider senior Information Officers in the State Ministry of Information for appointment as Permanent Secretary as no Information Officer has ever been appointed into such position since the creation of Ekiti State 28 years ago.
That the State Government should pay the Weigh-in allowance to journalists in the State Ministry of Information since their colleagues in other States are enjoying the media-related allowance”, the communique reads.
Meanwhile, the Union has hailed Governor Oyebanji for distributing another batch of palliatives to citizens of the State.
The NUJ said the distribution which is the 5th batch would go a long way to cushion the effect of high cost of consumables, especially food stuffs as a result of inflation and food scarcity.
“ The NUJ commends Ekiti State Government for the palliative distributed to various organizations, unions and associations in the State as this would go a long way to cushion the effect of the harsh economy on citizens”.
On security, the union commended the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Akinwale Adeniran and his team for the arrest of suspected killers of three persons in Ado Ekiti last week.
It however urged the Police to redouble its efforts in reducing crime in the State.
“That the Union appreciates the visit of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akinwale Adeniran and commends him and his team for their efforts in the arrest of the suspected killers of innocent people recently in Ado Ekiti. The congress urges the Police to be more proactive in the reduction of crime in the State”, the communique reads.