Stakeholders Back Bill to Reposition Owena Press at Public Hearing
By Oyeniwa Elizabeth
The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday conducted a public hearing on a bill seeking to convert Owena Press Limited into the Ondo State Government Printing and Publishing Corporation.
The session, held at the Assembly complex, brought together lawmakers, government officials, media professionals, labour leaders and other stakeholders .
Declaring the hearing open, the Speaker,Rt.Hon.(Chief) Olamide Oladiji, said the exercise was designed to ensure that the proposed conversion reflects an inclusive reform process rather than a unilateral government decision.
He noted that Owena Press has long served as a strategic communication platform for the state through public information dissemination, documentation of government activities and promotion of civic engagement.
According to him, the bill aims to reposition the organisation into a modern, legally empowered institution capable of delivering efficient printing and publishing services.
Oladiji further explained that the initiative would strengthen financial sustainability through expanded commercial operations, improve information management, enhance the security of official publications and ensure proper archival preservation of State records.
He described the bill as long overdue, expressing optimism that it would improve staff welfare while creating new opportunities for economic growth across the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon.Ifabiyi Olatunji, said the public hearing underscored the Assembly’s commitment to participatory law-making.
He stated that converting Owena Press into a corporation would reposition the state’s printing and publishing outfit for greater efficiency, sustainability and relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
He added that stakeholders’ contributions would guide the Assembly in producing a law that strengthens government communication, modernises services and boosts revenue generation.
Speaking with journalists, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Owena Press, Kayode Fasua, expressed gratitude to the governor,Dr Lucky Auyedatiwa for initiating the reform. He recalled that the company was established in 1989 under the military administration of Olabode George to promote the state’s interests and disseminate information.
Fasua said the conversion would address longstanding operational challenges, including double taxation, while enabling staff to enjoy pension benefits and positioning the organisation for regional expansion.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Clerk of the House, Barrister Jayeola Benjamin, described the hearing as a historic turning point for the organisation and lauded the Speaker and committee members for their commitment to the process. He urged participants to make detailed contributions during subsequent technical sessions to ensure a robust legal framework for the proposed corporation.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council,Prince Leke Adegbite, commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Assembly leadership for responding to longstanding appeals to reform the organisation. He noted that since the establishment of the outfit in 1989, no previous administration had taken decisive steps toward restructuring it, expressing hope for speedy passage of the bill after necessary technical inputs.
Stakeholders at the hearing included members of the House Committee on Information, representatives of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Justice,Nigeria Union of Journalists,
(NUJ) executives, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies executives,as well as management and staff of Owena Press Limited, among others.
Participants generally expressed support for the proposed transformation, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening the state’s information infrastructure.
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