Despite of attempts by some disgruntled persons to appropriate and sell the official secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists located along Port Harcourt road, the Comrade Precious Nwadike led Caretaker Committee has recovered and renovated the conference hall of the complex now renamed “Diamond Hall” and declared it ready for rent or hire to the public at a minimal rent.
Speaking to journalists at the press centre recently, the chairman of the union’s caretaker committee, Comrade Precious Nwadike disclosed that already there is steady power supply, efficient sound system available Disco Jockey (DJ) as well as an electronic and electrical electrician to manage and update the sound systems there.
He described the newly renovated and refurbished hall as a one centre facility for working journalists and other media practitioners in the state for use for press conference, board meetings, seminars, social or academic events.
He revealed that the mini hall of the centre can accommodate about 100 persons at a time.
According to Nwadike, the Cyber café of the secretariat is available for browsing and other internet cyber café services.
He said,”People should visit the complex and those planning to use the facilities are advised to contact the secretary on phone no: 070382775743 or the press centre management committee through Chris on 0813260036″.
Our reporter who visited the centre reports that the looted, vandalized hall abandoned for nearly two years with the evacuation of the management, staff and students of the International Institute of Journalism is booming with life and activities.
Our investigation revealed that the management and students of the IIJ will soon resume normal academic work at the No 14 Commissioner’s Quarters NUJ secretariat on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.