The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, has pledged N50 million as a take-off fund for the development of the permanent site of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council.
Adeola also promised to provide a new bus for the council, saying his proposed administration would prioritise the welfare, safety and professional development of journalists if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
The Ogun West Senator made the promises on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the NUJ Ogun State Council at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, where he unveiled his nine-point development agenda and interacted with journalists.
Adeola said the N50 million would serve as his initial contribution towards the development of the NUJ permanent site, while the new bus would support the union’s activities and improve its mobility.
He said journalists played a critical role in promoting accountability and good governance, adding that his decision to commence his statewide engagement with the media was deliberate because of the constitutional responsibility of the Fourth Estate.
Adeola said, “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.”
The APC candidate also promised to maintain an open-door relationship with journalists through regular press briefings and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
He further pledged to support the transformation of the Ogun State Television and Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation into standard public media organisations capable of competing with established national broadcasters, including Channels Television, Arise News and TVC.
Adeola said the state-owned media organisations would be properly equipped and professionally positioned to operate as credible and competitive institutions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ogun State Council, Wale Olarenwaju, outlined some of the achievements recorded by the council under his leadership in the last three years.
Olarenwaju said the council had strengthened its structures, improved the working environment for journalists and advanced the welfare and professional development of its members.
He, however, called for stronger intervention in areas affecting the welfare and living conditions of journalists in the state.
The NUJ chairman appealed for the establishment of a dedicated journalists’ estate in Ogun, saying the project would help address the housing needs of media practitioners and provide access to affordable accommodation.
He also sought support for the NUJ permanent site, noting that a befitting secretariat and professional facilities would strengthen the union’s capacity to serve its members.
Responding to the requests, Adeola reiterated his commitment to supporting the media community and said the N50 million initial funding would kick-start the development of the NUJ permanent site.
The NUJ Ogun State Council subsequently decorated Adeola as its Golden Jubilee Ambassador as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the council.
Beyond the media sector, Adeola unveiled a nine-point development agenda covering infrastructure, job creation, agriculture, healthcare, education, industrialisation, security, tourism and institutional reforms.
He proposed an Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme on major routes, including the Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Sagamu corridor, while also promising to explore commuter rail connections between Abeokuta, Lagos and industrial corridors.
On youth development, Adeola promised to train 100,000 young people in digital skills by 2031 and establish a Youth Enterprise Hub in Abeokuta, with satellite hubs across the state and access to microcredit for young entrepreneurs.
He also proposed reforms in agriculture, healthcare, education, waste management, security and the civil service, while promising to strengthen local government administration and improve the state’s revenue mobilisation system.
Adeola urged journalists to monitor the implementation of his campaign promises if he is elected governor.
“I do not come to you asking you to believe me. I come asking you to hold me to this manifesto, line by line, project by project,” he said.
