MEMBERS of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter, on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest to the State House, office of the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to register their displeasure over the incessant brutalisation and harassment of members.

The protesting journalists were led by the state chairman of the union, Mr Deji Elumoye, after they had gathered at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Alausa, as early as 8.00 a.m.

With placards carrying various inscriptions and banners showing the picture of the two brutalised photojournalists, Mr Benedict Uwalaka of Leadership Newspaper and the former photo editor of Compass Newspaper, Mr Tunde Ogundeji, the NUJ members condemned the assault on their colleagues.

Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters arrived at the entrance to the State House, Ikeja, at exactly 10.50 a.m and demanded to meet the governor, but were told by the security personnel at the gate that he was not around.

Irked by the delay, the journalists blocked both entrances of the State House, just as they demanded for a representative of the governor to answer them.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Lateef Raji, who later came to attend to the journalists, apologised for the brutality meted out to the two members of the union, while assuring that perpetrators would be made to face the music.

Comments (3)

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written by E, August 17, 2012

In other climes the state Governor would have resigned by now, if this were to be FG, we would have been filled with over 1000 comments here for Jonathan to resign. This is one of the reasons why State Police should never be allowed in Nigeria. The case would have been placed under the jurisdiction of the state police to investigate and swept under the carpet, if Fashola can order an immediate arrest of the lady accused of Killing a future Lagos State Policeman (LASTMA) official then, he should by now be charging the accused in the battery of the journalist to court for prosecution. Aside from apologizing he has failed to bring the perpetrator to book, even when the offense was committed right in front of State officials ( a Neighborhood watch official was seen on TV holding onto the journalist before the accused smashed a bottle on the head of the journalist). FASHOLA MUST RESIGN NOW OR BRING THE CULPRITS TO BOOK

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written by document upon, August 17, 2012

Ori bibe koni oogun ori fifo
resign for where,continue your good job while u look for the CULPRITS to face the music

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Researcher
written by Samson Ogunloye, August 17, 2012

Granted I was not present at one of the incidents, it does occur to me that respect should be mutual between journalists and the hosts or the venue where coverage is being done. Journalist at all cost should avoid engaging in fracas that promotes an aggressive behavior resulting in taking laws into their hands.

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