Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Council has honoured the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2027 election, Senator Solomon Adeola as a Golden Jubilee Ambassador for his reported contributions to journalism and democratic development in the state.
Penpushing reports that,Adeola was honoured on Friday during his courtesy and familiarisation visit to the journalists secretariat known as Iwe Iroyin Pres Centre, located at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, where he presented his proposed development agenda for Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The Council in the same vein, presented the Golden Jubilee Ambassador recognition to its patro Lekan Mustapha, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of journalism and professionalism in Ogun State sxheduled to hold next month.
Penpushing further reports that Chairman of the Council, Comrade Akinwale Olarenwaju, commended Adeola for what he described as his interventions in infrastructure, education and empowerment, saying the senator had demonstrated consistent support for journalists and the union.
The chairman said the visit was more than an interface between the politician and journalists, adding that the council decided to use the occasion to acknowledge Adeola’s contributions to the journalism profession and the welfare of working journalists.
Penpushing also reports that he particularly appreciated the senator for providing a solar-powered borehole at the council secretariat, noting that the facility had become an important source of water for the union and residents within the area.
The union boss disclosed that the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) had been allocated an acre of land since 1987 and expressed optimism that further development of the property would benefit from Adeola’s intervention.
Penpushing reports that Olanrewaju equally commended Adeola for his consistent support for the council’s annual Press Week programme, as well as previous interventions that included training for journalists and the provision of laptops.
The chairman recalled that Adeola had earlier supported the council with 20 laptops, while another senator, Shuai Salisu representing Ogun Central provided 10 solar streetlights and a 12KVA solar power system for the the secretariat.
Penpushing further reports that Olarenwaju said the council had completed several projects since the current administration assumed office, including the installation of free Wi-Fi, renovation works and improvements to facilities at the secretariat.
The chairman disclosed that the council was also working on a legacy project as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of journalism in Ogun State, explaining that the project would include a state-of-the-art digital newsroom where journalists could process and transmit reports to their respective media organisations, as well as an Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Games Arena equipped for indoor sporting activities.
Penpushing also reports that he said the anniversary programme would commence on October 26, 2026 and end on November 1, 2026, stressing that the council was focused on leaving behind institutional facilities and initiatives that would serve journalists beyond the anniversary celebrations.
The chairman appealed to Adeola to support the completion of the council’s permanent secretariat project, describing the existing facility as requiring structural attention, and equally appealed for government intervention in the development of the union’s proposed housing project and called for attention to the state-owned media organisations, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) and Ogun State Television (OGTV).
Penpushing reports that Adeola in his response said he was delighted to finally visit the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) secretariat after years of driving past the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre and looking forward to interacting with journalists.
The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) expressed appreciation to journalists in Ogun State for what he described as their support and positive reportage throughout his political journey.
Penpushing further reports that Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate, said his visit was also to formally engage the Fourth Estate of the Realm ahead of the statewide campaign activities of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
The flagbearer of the party said his administration, if elected, would be guided by a vision of transforming Ogun State through strategic investments, infrastructure development, agricultural diversification, transparent governance, education and healthcare.
Penpushing also reports that he unveiled nine proposed development pillars covering infrastructure, tourism and creative arts, education and human capital development, security, healthcare, women and youth empowerment, agriculture, job creation and industrialisation, as well as urban renewal and environmental sustainability.
The candidate proposed the introduction of the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme on major routes, including Abeokuta, Sango-Ota and Sagamu, and said his administration would seek collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to expand commuter rail connectivity between Abeokuta, Lagos and industrial corridors.
Penpushing reports that Adeola equally proposed a state-backed mobility platform known as “OgunRide” for commercial transport operators, which he said would provide access to health insurance, vehicle financing and cooperative support.
The Governorship Candidate on youth development, said he would train 100,000 young people in digital skills by 2031 and establish a Youth Enterprise Hub in Abeokuta, with satellite hubs across the state, backed by microcredit for young entrepreneurs.
Penpushing further reports that he proposed multipurpose sports complexes in each senatorial district, grassroots talent centres and an Ogun Youth Sports Academy, and in the health sector proposed the revitalisation of the state health insurance scheme, “Ilera D’ero”, with a target of enrolling two million residents, alongside increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel.
The governorship hopeful promised to strengthen agriculture through mechanisation, farmer financing, processing hubs, climate-smart farming and agro-industrial parks, and on industrialisation, he said Ogun State’s geographical location and industrial base could be leveraged to expand trade and investment opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Penpushing also reports that Adeola spoke about oil exploration activities in Ogun Waterside and Tongeji Island in Ipokia, describing the developments as opportunities that would require transparent management and investment in affected communities.
The guest proposed the establishment of a Solid Minerals Development Company, expansion of free trade zones and economic development clusters, as well as measures to formalise artisanal mining, and on environmental management, promised to relaunch the Ogun State Waste Management Agency and introduce private-sector participation in waste collection, alongside recycling hubs and waste-to-energy initiatives.
Penpushing reports that heoutlined six proposed institutional reforms covering fiscal discipline and revenue mobilisation, justice sector reform, legislative reform, civil service reform, assets optimisation and commercialisation, and local government autonomy.
The governorship flagbearer said his administration would comply with the Freedom of Information Act and maintain regular press briefings, while also paying attention to the welfare and safety of journalists in the state, and urged journalists to hold him accountable for the commitments contained in his proposed development plan if elected governor.
Penpushing further reports that Adeola pointed out that a manifesto that stays on paper is a betrayal of the people who trusted it, adding that the proposed agenda would be backed by measurable targets and performance agreements for government agencies.
The All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate said his engagement with theNigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) was intended to establish a relationship in which journalists would not only report his administration performance
