Chairman of Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Prince Leke Adegbite, has lauded the initiatives and achievements of the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Owena Press Limited, publisher of The Hope titles, Mr Kayode Fasua, within the short period he assumed office.
He made the remarks during a courtesy visit of the chairman and some management members of the company to the NUJ at the Press Centre in Alagbaka, Akure.
Receiving the chairman and his team were Adegbite, the NUJ Vice Chairman, Mr. Hakeem Gbadamosi; state Secretary, Mr Meshak Olaoluwa; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Ngozi Aduloju; Treasurer, Mrs Fatima Muraina; and some elders of the union, including Mr Tope Okeowo and Mr. Bolu Esho.
Adegbite noted that within a short period of his assumption of office, Fasua had been able to make impacts through daily digital publications and introduction of another title to the newspaper; Weekend Hope.
The NUJ chairman said he derived joy in championing and defending the interest of Owena . describing them, as committed, hardworking and reliable.
He recalled previous efforts of the union to make the state government achieved its vision for the newspaper House, citing funding of the company to payment of gratuities to the company’s retired workers.
The NUJ chairman said the Owena Press chairman should, rest assured, that the union would always stand by it.
He urged the NUJ members to give the chairman support, describing him “as one of us”.
“You are doing well and we can see what you are doing despite the meager resources,” he added.
Adegbite urged him to consider the welfare of NUJ members in the company and embark on training of the workers.
He also urged people of the state to subscribe to The Hope newspaper
Responding, the chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Fasua, said he was excited to be at the NUJ Press Centre, adding that it was a homecoming.
He appreciated the NUJ leadership’s efforts in the state on the uplift of the union’s image and standard.
Fasua particularly appreciated the union for the care extended to members in all the chapels.
He intimated the union with the challenges in the company.
He said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had given him a matching order to expand the coast of the newspaper towards making it a regional newspaper, and thereafter upgrade it to a national newspaper.
He said he had kick-started daily digital production of the newspaper with a great mileage, in spite of some challenges.
Fasua said he had revived the print edition of Weekend Hope title, which was rested some years back, owing to pausity of fund, in addition to the Monday print edition he met on ground.
He said the newspaper now produces soft copy editions on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Saturday.
He pleaded for necessary support of the union, promising job security for the staff of the company.
He denied insinuations peddled by some people alleging that he embarked on mass sack of the staff.
He said plans were underway on the training of the staff.