Arepo journalists estate saga: Runsewe, journalists leadership broker peace between monarch, residents

The Director General National Council for Arts and Culture,(NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe and  President of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Chris Isiguzo on Wednesday initiated peace moves between Olu of Arepo in  Ogun State, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi and residents of Journalists Estate Phase One to resolve crisis which followed pulling down of arc leading to the estate, on the order of the monarch .

Penpushing reports that, also in the attendance at the peace meeting was Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi, to find lasting solution to the crisis

The Director General who led the peace delegation to the palace of monarch urged the monarch as representative of Ogun State government and custodian of security in his domain, to ensure lives of all residents in Arepo are safe and secured and to see that the issue of security is non-negotiable.

Penpushing further reports that, it is recalled  how  Runsewe  led the Lagos  state journalists to Arepo to secure the  land in 2003, noting that the Arepo community has today become a reference point in global history due to the presence of two Journalists estates there.

The Director General appealed to the monarch to see the recognition of his domain with the identity of journalists as a very positive drive for progress in the fast growing border community with proximity to Alausa, Lagos State.

“Establishing two Journalists Estates here in Arepo and identifying such residential areas with an arch, should be seen as a positive brand identity that can help boost growth and development in Arepo community’.

“We would want to report back to both Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Abuja, who gave us the authority of mediation that Kabiyesi has accepted to the reerection of the demolished Journalists Estate Phase One arch at the soonest opportunity; hence we need you to accede with your authority even though the government has given official approval”, Runsewe told the monarch.

Penpushing also reports that, he reminded the monarch how Ogun State Government in 2008 reconstructed and named the major community road as Journalists Estate Road because of the presence of two Journalists Estates and equally upgraded the status of the  monarch, all which have contributed to the expansion and growth seen in the town.

The leader of the peace meeting pleaded that the monarch meet with all warring parties and ensure that all court cases instituted as a result of the lingering crisis particularly in respect of right of passage on the portion of the road within Journalists Estate Phase One are withdrawn and reconciliation meetings held to put an end to the crisis that is putting Ogun State in bad light.

“Kabiyesi, with the ongoing road construction, you are about to experience more government development in your domain and you need the Journalists to identify and project you rightly; you really do not need the bad publicity which could likely embarrass the Ogun State government and the country as a whole”, Runsewe admonished.

The Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture announced that once peace is fully restored and all cases in court withdrawn, the Arts Council will establish a mini – museum in the palace of Olu of Arepo.

Penpushing reports that, President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his remarks, told the monarch to embrace the olive branch offered by the delegation and call everyone together for a conversation on how to ensure peace in his domain, Arepo especially with Journalists.

The number one journalist in Nigeria noted that Journalists are very essential professionals who are loved all over the world and it is very difficult to hate Journalists because of their kind of trade.

‘All over the world, brand identities exist so also  the security of lives of Journalists has become  non-negotiable due to the nature of their job, so we would appeal that you support the moves to reconcile all parties and secure all lives especially those of Journalists in your domain “, Isiguzo canvassed.

Penpushing further reports that, he disclosed that Governors of Nasarawa, Bauchi, Oyo states and others have already taken the positive cue from Ogun State and are giving lands to Nigeria Union of Journalits(NUJ) to establish more Journalists Estates.

The President explained that this was because of the success and antecedent of Lagos state journalists, adding that, it would really be a shame if the pilot Journalists Estates in Ogun State are now experiencing such crisis from host community.

Penpushing also reports that, the Chairman, Arepo Community Development Committee, (CDC), Ganiyu Kazeem  in his speech expressed delight at the peace moves initiated by  Runsewe and the leadership of Journalists,  urging traditional ruler  to reconsider the situation in Arepo town which is fast degenerating and seize the opportunity to promote  peace among all members of the community.

The monarch in his response said, he is not averse to the reconciliation moves by the delegation, but would need to hold a meeting with his council members and then fix a meeting for another time to give a feedback.

Penpushing reports that, he expressed his worry at the unprecedented media reports in the last two weeks which he noted defamed   his office and personality in the eye of the public, and, however agreed that government reserves the right to name the road in his community which it has done, and, likewise the reconstruction of the same road in the community.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler in further remarks assured that lives of all residents of Arepo including those residing in Journalists Estates which include phase one and two and their families are safe.

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