First female Speaker emerges in Oyo

By OLA AJAYI, IBADAN
THE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday produced its first female Speaker, Mrs. Monsuratu Jumoke Sunmonu at its inauguration. Sunmonu, who contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria is from Oyo town representing Oyo West/East State Constituency.

The inauguration of the seventh legislative arm which was well attended by members of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Accord party was marred by hostility of the security men to journalists who covered the event.

Jumoke Sunmonu

While Lekan Adetayo of the Punch and Tade Olutayo, of Silverbird Television, were separately assaulted, other photojournalists and state correspondents from Vanguard, Guardian, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Independent, The Sun, Next, New Nigerian, National Pilot, Daily Champion and the rest were prevented from entering the Governor’s office by some overzealous security men at the gate.

Though the attention of the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo was drawn to the plight of the journalists and he promptly responded, his plea and introduction as SSA to the governor was not a good reason to all the policemen who manned the gate. When he tried unsuccessfully to convince them to allow journalists do their job, he left in annoyance.

At the main gate, the other two journalists were unjustly maltreated by one, Mr. Goddy Sylvester, when trying to gain entry into the premises of the assembly.

ASP Sylvester, turned deaf ears to other people around warning him to exercise caution. He threw courtesy to the wind and sprayed tear gas on them.