A group in the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo state council spreading the good works of the current leadership in the union, “DEMBAB Volunteers” has commended the Chairman, Ademola Babalola (Dembab) over the recent peaceful resolution of two court cases and the over 15year-old Correspondents Chapel crisis.
In a statement by the convener, “DEMBAB Volunteers” Lekan Shobo Shobowale, the recent reconciliation achieved between the erstwhile leaders of the Union, Wale Ojo-Lanre and Cosmas Oni on one hand and Sola Adeyemo-led aggrieved Union members on the other was worthy of commendation.
Before it, the Union, under the leadership of Ademola Babalola amicably resolved about 15year-old factional crisis at the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel, thus bringing all the Chapel members under one united entity for progress and wellbeing of the Correspondents’ members.
It would be recalled that the Correspondents’ Chapel members were factionalised for about 15 years but Ademola Babalola-led administration midwifed fruitful reconciliation to the satisfaction of all warring parties.
The group expressed delight that so far, few chapels with crisis and disunity in time past in the State Council are today one indivisible entity.
“Some 13years ago, the quartet of Ademola Babalola, Sola Adeyemo, Oladele Ogunsola and Prince Ade Adeloye approached the court following brutal attack meted on them by officers of the Oyo state police command acting on invitation by leaders of the union during a congress.
“As at that time, all the Claimants were members of the Correspondents’ chapel. They were brutalised, assaulted and hounded into police vehicle like common criminals over minor internal union politics during one of the State Congresses of the union at the Press Centre Iyaganku Ibadan.
“Ademola Babalola who is today the Chairman escaped death by the whisker as a trigger-happy cop nearly opened fire on him.
“Today, the dust has been settled and the leaders have embraced peace midwifed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Otunba Kunle Kalejaye.
The group also noted with great enthusiasm the effort of this current administration in settling an eight years old legal case on NUJ guest house, which the union lost to a certain Ade Aderinwale, of blessed memory. The matter was decided in favour of Aderinwale prior to the coming on board of the current State executive. Again, the settlement of the matter out of Court can be attributed to the relentless efforts of the Chairman.
The group however assured that it would also join hands with Demola Babalola in making sure that all chapels under the state council, including the embattled NAWOJ remain one indivisible entity.
