The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ondo State Council, has mourned a media icon, Ademola Adetula, who died on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Adetula, a former Managing Director of Owena Press, The Hope Newspapers and former NUJ Vice President (Zone D), passed on few days to his 74th birthday.
The Union at its July Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, described his demise as devastating.
The Congress observed a Minute Silence in honour the late veteran journalist, describing him as one of the most brilliant journalists produced in the state.
The Union, in a communique issued at the end of the Congress, prayed God to grant his soul peaceful rest and the family fortitude to bear the loss.
Adetula, was a former News Editor of The Herald Newspapers.
A distinguished media administrator, Adetula dedicated decades of his life to journalism, rising through the ranks from Reporter to News Editor, General Manager, Managing Director, and Chairman—a remarkable achievement in Nigeria’s media industry.
His leadership, professionalism, and commitment to ethical journalism earned him widespread respect across the country.
Adetula was honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2023 in recognition of his outstanding service to journalism, media administration, and humanity.
He was a respected community leader, devout Catholic, legal scholar, and former President of the All Owo Progressive Forum.
The Congress also expressed satisfaction with performance of the Ondo NUJ leadership under Leke Adegbite in protecting interest of members through different efforts and ongoing beautification of the Union’s Press Centre.
The meeting also commends NUJ leadership for providing regular support for NAWOJ and SWAN to organize different programmes such as Children’s Party and sports competitions.
The communique read: “The Congress commended the improvement being witnessed at the State owned media organization, the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, OSRC media Group, and implored the State Government to place the television station on Cable Networks for effective service delivery and career fulfilment for the workers.
“The Congress notes the ongoing road construction efforts of the Ondo State government across the state, but expressed reservations over the slow pace of works on some of the projects especially Akungba-Ikare Akoko road; Okitipupa-Igbokoda road; and Akure-Idanre road.
“The Union therefore urged contractors handling the road projects to double up efforts at completing them.
“The Congress also described the ongoing construction of Flyover at Oba Adesida Road in Akure as lofty project, but urged the Ondo state government to make alternatives routes motorable to ease traffic diversion, especially clearing of Arakale road for easy and free flow of traffic in the state capital.
“The Congress while applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at dualising Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin road; reconstructing of Akure-Ado Ekiti road and Akure-Ondo-Ore road, expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of federal roads linking Ondo North especially Akoko area.
“The Union enjoined federal lawmakers and government’s appointees from that part of Ondo State to rise to the occasion by facilitating urgent rehabilitation of such roads particularly Ikare- Ogbagi-Irun-Akoko -Ado Ekiti road as well as Owo-Ipele-Isua Akoko-Kabba road.
“On environmental issues, the Congress described the pockets of flooding across the state as pathetic, calling on both the state and local governments to be more proactive in preventing flooding and allow such to happen before taking actions.”
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