The Ekiti State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 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 Information Officer has ever been appointed as Permanent Secretary since the creation of Ekiti State 28 years ago despite having qualified senior officers.
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 who are grade level 15 officers have already undergone processes for promotion to level 16; leading to the Ministry having 21 officers on grade level 16.
The umbrella body of journalists which equally appealed to Governor Oyebanji to pay Weigh-in allowance to its members in the Ministry said appointing an Information Officer as a permanent secretary as done recently by Ogun State would boost the morale of the Officers and enable them give their best to the service of the 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 harsh economy on citizens who have found it hard to afford high cost of foodstuffs 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 body for journalists commended the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Akinwale Adeniran and his team for the arrest of suspected killers of three people in Ado Ekiti recently.
It however urged the Police to redouble its efforts at reducing crime in the State as the union appreciates the visit of the Police Boss, CP Akinwale Adeniran during the June edition of its monthly Congress
