Unruly FRCN reporters harass NUJ President, Isiguzo, others in Ibadan

Some staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan Office on Tuesday displayed their unruly behaviour to Chief Chris Isiguzo, the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other members of his entourage.

The delegation led by the president had visited the station as part of his ongoing official visit to Ibadan.

The members of staff led by Mr Adedayo Adelowo(Associate Member), Laolu Fawole(Suspended Member) and Mrs Abisola Oluremi (Associate Member) had besieged the gate harassing members of the delegation.

Some members of the delegation were later allowed into the premises leaving others who could not stand the harassment to leave the premises.

However, a top official of the station who craved anonymity, said the members of staff have just caused the station corporate embarrassment, saying they would pay dearly for the act.

It would be recalled that Mr Adewunmi Faniran, a staff of the station and immediate past Chairman of NUJ in the state had lost his re-election to Mr Ademola Babalola in the last election held on Dec. 18, 2019.

Faniran, who is from the FRCN chapel, one of the 10 existing chapels in the state had only six votes to the 179 votes polled by Babalola in the election.

Babalola and Mr Bamigbola Gbolagunte, NUJ Zonal Secretary(South West) in separate interviews condemned the act, saying such act was not good for the image of a government institution like FRCN.

The duo in their reaction said that the members of staff should have sought a better civilised way of channeling their grievances than resorting to self-help in the form of harrassment and hooliganism.

Babalola called for calm, saying they are yet to come to terms with the reality on ground.

“They are my members and you can understand when one of them came to plead for my understanding that they were acting on the orders of their boss.

“I know they are still suffering from the defeat of their boss but they should understand that power comes from God and only Him enthrones whosoever He wishes.

“They are my members and I will welcome them back to the fold anytime they are ready. For us, one out of existing 10 chapels in the State cannot hold the union to ransom,” Babalola added.

A text message sent to the Zonal Director of the station to get his reaction was not replied as at the time of filing the report.

On the entourage of the president were Mr Cosmas Oni, Vice-President(South West), Chief Wilson Bako, Vice President (North Central), Mrs Bimbola Oyetunde, SSA to the NUJ President, who is also General Manager, Bronze FM.

Also on the delegation are Alhaji Alli Atabor, National Trustee, Mr Silva Okereke, National Trustee, Mr Abiodun Olalere, Former Chairman, NUJ Osun Council, Mr Bamigbola Gbolagunte, NUJ Zonal Secretary(South West).

Others are Babalola, Oyo NUJ Chairman, Mr Sola Oladapo, Oyo NUJ Secretary and Mr Akeem Abas, Oyo NUJ Treasurer.