…As NUJ Chairman Seeks Journalists’ Estate, Better Welfare
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has pledged to prioritise the welfare and professional development of journalists and support the growth of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, if elected governor in 2027.
Adeola made the pledge on Friday during a courtesy and familiarisation visit to the Ogun State Council of the NUJ at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, where he unveiled his proposed nine-point development agenda and interacted with journalists on his plans for the state.
The Ogun West Senator announced a ₦50 million take-off fund for the development of the NUJ’s permanent site and also promised to provide the council with a new utility bus to support its activities and mobility.
Adeola said journalists would receive attention in the areas of welfare, safety and professional development, stressing that the media plays a critical role in promoting accountability and good governance.
He also pledged to support the transformation of the Ogun State Television (OGTV) and Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) into stronger public media organisations capable of competing with established national broadcast platforms.
According to him, the state-owned media organisations should be properly equipped and professionally positioned to deliver credible and competitive broadcasting services.
Adeola described his proposed development programme as a covenant with the people of Ogun State and urged journalists to hold him accountable to the promises contained in his agenda if elected.
“I stand before you not as a politician reciting promises, but as a son of Ogun State bringing you a covenant, a plan I intend to be held accountable to, page by page, project by project,” he said.
The APC candidate said his decision to begin his statewide engagements with journalists was deliberate, noting the constitutional role of the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
He promised to maintain regular engagement with the media through periodic press briefings and said his administration would comply with the Freedom of Information Act if elected.
NUJ Seeks Journalists’ Estate, Better Welfare
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ogun State Council, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju, highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the council under his leadership.
Olanrewaju said the council had implemented a number of projects aimed at improving its facilities, strengthening its structures and advancing the welfare and professional development of journalists. Reports indicate that the council has undertaken 26 projects during the current administration.
He, however, said more intervention was needed to address the welfare and living conditions of journalists in the state.
The NUJ chairman appealed for the establishment of a dedicated journalists’ estate in Ogun State to provide media practitioners with access to affordable housing.
He also called for stronger support for journalists in the areas of welfare, capacity building, safety and infrastructure, while seeking assistance towards the development of the union’s permanent secretariat.
Olanrewaju noted that the council’s proposed permanent site had remained undeveloped for several years and that a befitting secretariat with modern facilities would strengthen the union’s capacity to serve its members.
Adeola Decorated Golden Jubilee Ambassador
As part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ, the council decorated Adeola as its Golden Jubilee Ambassador, recognising his relationship with the media community and his stated support for journalists and the union.
Responding to the demands of the journalists, Adeola reiterated his commitment to supporting the NUJ, stressing that the ₦50 million pledge would serve as an initial contribution towards the development of the union’s permanent site.
He also reaffirmed his promise to provide a new bus for the council.
Adeola Unveils Nine-Point Development Agenda
Beyond the media sector, Adeola unveiled a nine-point development agenda, tagged ITESIWAJU, covering infrastructure, tourism and culture, education and environment, security and law enforcement, healthcare, women and youth development, agriculture and food security, job creation and industrialisation, and urban development.
Among the proposals is a modern Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme covering major routes such as Abeokuta–Sango-Ota, Abeokuta–Sagamu and Abeokuta–Ilaro, alongside plans to explore improved rail connectivity between Ogun and Lagos.
Adeola also outlined proposals in youth development, industrialisation, agriculture, healthcare, security, local government administration and revenue mobilisation as part of his campaign programme for the 2027 governorship election.
He urged journalists to scrutinise and monitor the implementation of his campaign promises, saying the media had a responsibility to hold political office holders accountable.
