By Davidson Ogbebor

The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has passed a vote of confidence in its Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, while commending Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration for its interventions in security, road infrastructure and healthcare.

The council, however, urged the state government to urgently address the deteriorating condition of some roads in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin City, and other strategic locations across the state.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s monthly congress held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Oba Oguola Press Centre, GRA, Benin City.

The congress, presided over by Alenkhe, congratulated him on his appointment as Managing Director of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) and expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for the appointment.

The journalists subsequently passed a vote of confidence in the Alenkhe-led leadership of the council and urged him to continue as chairman of the Edo NUJ Council.

On security, the NUJ commended the state government’s efforts to tackle insecurity, particularly kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The congress also acknowledged the recent court pronouncement resulting in the sentencing to death of four convicted kidnappers, describing it as a significant development in the fight against criminality in the state.

The council also praised the administration’s road rehabilitation efforts and the construction of flyovers in Benin City, noting that the projects had contributed to improved traffic flow and enhanced the appearance of the state capital.

However, the journalists said more attention was required for some intra-city roads, particularly within GRA and other key areas of Benin City.

The congress further commended the government’s Benin-Asaba Road Rescue Initiative, urging the administration to sustain and accelerate work on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba axis because of the road’s strategic importance to the South-South and South-East regions.

In the health sector, the NUJ commended the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of 316 Primary Health Care Centres across Edo State’s three senatorial districts.

The council described the project as a people-oriented intervention capable of bringing quality healthcare services closer to residents at the grassroots.

The congress also urged journalists across the state to prioritise their health by undertaking regular medical check-ups.

It further called on members to pay their check-off dues promptly, stressing that compliance with the obligation remains important to maintaining active union membership.

The communiqué was signed by Eben Kingsley Enasco, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; Kadiri Christopher, Secretary; Josephine Erinmwinhe, member; Comrade Andy Egbon, Secretary of the Edo State Council; and Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, Edo NUJ Council.