The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the state government to strengthen security across the state and create more opportunities for private sector investment, even as it congratulated the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on his 91st birthday.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s emergency congress held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the NUJ Secretariat in GRA, Benin City. The meeting was convened to address the two-week blackout at the NUJ Press Centre.
The congress, presided over by Chairman Dr. Festus Alenkhe, resolved that the union should continue its partnership with Ossiomo Power Plant, which has supplied electricity to the NUJ Press Centre for the past three years.
While commending the state government for ongoing developmental projects such as the Ramat Park Flyover and the reconstruction of the burnt Oba Market, the union urged the contractor handling the flyover to expedite work and deliver within record time.
On security, the NUJ condemned the killing of eight operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during an attack on BUA Cement factory in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, urging authorities to strengthen the state’s security architecture to forestall a repeat of such tragedy.
The congress also congratulated Chief Igbinedion, who is the Grand Patron of the NUJ, praying for his continued good health and acknowledging his longstanding contributions to media development in Nigeria.
The communiqué was jointly signed by NUJ Chairman, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, and Secretary, Andy Egbon, with Usman Aliyu, Josephine Erhinmwinhe, and Charles Kiseh serving on the communiqué drafting committee.
