By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

ILORIN — The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kwara State has suspended all activities and severed its relationship with the State Council, citing unresolved differences that have persisted for about five months.

The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the chapel’s monthly congress at its secretariat, jointly signed by Chairman Biola Azeez and Secretary Mosunmola Ayobami. Members described the action as necessary to protect the integrity of the chapel leadership and its members.

The communiqué stated that the suspension includes boycotting all press conferences and media-related activities organized by the state council until further notice. The chapel cited the council’s refusal to recognize its leadership following a constitutional and widely accepted election on November 1, 2025, and the subsequent inauguration of the chapel executive committee.

Efforts to resolve the dispute, including interventions by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, a counsellor to the governor, the national NUJ leadership, and other stakeholders, reportedly yielded no positive outcome.

The congress also noted that the strained relationship stems largely from the actions and disposition of the Kwara State Council Chairman and Secretary. Despite the tension, the chapel commended the majority of NUJ members for their solidarity and support.

To strengthen its operations, the chapel inaugurated new committees, including the News Keg Committee, tasked with organizing regular engagements with newsmakers and generating editorial content. Members include Ibrahim Alege (TVC), Deacon Demola Akinyemi (Vanguard), Mallam Garba Abdulhakeem (Channels TV), Hameed Shittu (ThisDay), and Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus (News Agency of Nigeria).

The Press Week Committee (2026 edition) was also inaugurated to organize a successful 2026 Press Week, with members comprising Mallam Garba Abdulhakeem, Balogun Arisekola (African Culture TV), Ibrahim Alege, and Nicholas Uwerunonye (Independent Newspaper).

The Correspondents’ Chapel emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect until the leadership issues are resolved and mutual recognition is restored.