Ondo NUJ flays assault of female journalist by park officials

In a Press Statement signed by the State Chairman of the Union, Adetona Aderoboye and the State Secretary, Leke Adegbite, NUJ noted that it is unfathomable that uncivilised and people with questionable character would be engaged to manage public facilities like car parks that is resulting in incessant harassment and verbal attack on law abiding citizens.

Drama had ensued at the popular Arakale car Park in Akure the Ondo state capital on Saturday as government officials deployed to direct motorists almost beat a female member working with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN over an argument.

The  incident occurred following a slight argument with the lady issuing ticket over the condition of the #50 paid by the journalist and one of the boys claiming to be government’s official directing car at the park emerged from a point with tainted hair using abusive words on the said journalist and aiming at slapping her.

But for the timely intervention of passersby, the official with an unkept look would have beaten up the journalist as the boy’s unruly behaviour even went beyond the control of the co-ordinator of the park.

However, Ondo NUJ described the ugly incident as unacceptable, barbaric.

The union called on the State government through the ministry of transport to prevail on the private company managing car parks in Akure to instill discipline and decorum in its officials especially those at Arakale market car park.

The Union urged the state government to beam searchlight on the activities of car parks officials and flush out bad eggs among them to prevent further assault on the citizenry.

The Union commended the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Transport, Pastor Kayode Ogundele for his efforts dousing the tension generated by the harassment of the female journalist.