Ahead of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council election slated for December, one of the leading contenders for the chairmanship position, Comrade Olusola Oladapo “Summer”, has formally unveiled his agenda for the Union, promising a leadership focused on welfare, capacity-building, transparency and unity. The flag-off of his electioneering campaign, held on Thursday at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, drew members, stakeholders and senior figures in the state’s media community, all gathered to hear the candidate outline his vision for the Council. Oladapo, who currently serves as the Secretary of the Council, said his ambition “is driven by a desire to reposition the Union as a model of welfare, professionalism and ethical journalism.” The Director-General of his campaign, Dare Adekanmbi, described the moment as “a new dawn for journalists in Oyo State,” adding that if Oladapo is elected, members would begin to experience a union that truly protects their welfare, expands professional opportunities and restores dignity to the practice. Adekanmbi said the agenda being presented is rooted in transparency, inclusiveness and service, assuring journalists that “under Oladapo, NUJ Oyo will not only work for journalists but will stand by them in every moment that matters.” Speaking on his manifesto, Oladapo assured journalists that his administration, if elected, would prioritise dignity, protection and economic empowerment of every member, including establishing a Welfare and Emergency Fund to support colleagues during health challenges, bereavement or sudden hardship. According to him, journalists in the state deserved better structures of support, saying he plans to secure group health insurance, provide safety kits annually for field workers and create a legal aid and safety desk to protect members from harassment or unlawful arrest during the discharge of their duties. He also announced plans to introduce consistent training programmes to strengthen the professional capacity of journalists in the state, saying quarterly workshops on digital reporting, data journalism and investigative techniques would become standard under his leadership. Oladapo added that an NUJ Training and Resource Centre would be established at the Press Centre, equipped with internet access, research tools and digital facilities to support reporters, editors and young media practitioners across the state. The chairmanship hopeful further emphasised economic empowerment as a major part of his agenda, promising to support media entrepreneurship by facilitating grants and business development training for journalists interested in starting online platforms, podcasts or production outfits. He noted that partnerships would be pursued with financial institutions and cooperative societies to provide soft loans, support small businesses and establish a Media Investment Cooperative that would give members financial leverage and sustainability. On transparency, Oladapo stated that he would publish quarterly financial reports and implement an open-door policy that allows every member access to information on spending, projects and operations of the Union, saying NUJ Oyo must “become the most transparent Council in Nigeria.” He also pledged to build stronger unity among the various chapels within the state and ensure gender balance, inclusiveness for freelancers and improved engagement with retired journalists through an alumni forum dedicated to welfare and mentorship. Oladapo revealed plans to upgrade the Press Centre into a modern media hub, complete with a digital studio, ICT-equipped conference rooms and a co-working space capable of generating revenue for the Union, alongside a digital membership database and mobile app to improve efficiency. He said partnerships with government institutions, corporate bodies, NGOs and international media organisations would be strengthened to create more opportunities, training platforms and protections for journalists working in the state. Addressing rumours that he had spent too many years in NUJ leadership, Oladapo said service is not a crime, adding that those who are active in union activities are naturally the ones called upon to lead. “Leadership requires experience, not popularity,” he said, noting that he has served two terms as Chapel Secretary, two terms as State Ex-Officio, and later as Vice Chairman before becoming the current Council Secretary. He concluded by urging members to support his campaign and join in building a future where NUJ Oyo becomes a Union known for welfare, innovation and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism. Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion was the Chairman and Chief Executive of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mrs. Dotun Olaitan; the Zonal Director of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Moses Oyelade; leaders of the NUJ Oyo State Council including former Chairmen, Chief Gbemiga Ayoade and Mr. Adewumi Faniran, among others.
