- Wasiu Adekunle Adejumo // Premier World News
The re-election bid of Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju gained momentum on Friday, as his campaign group, “Team-ICON”, engaged the Federated Chapel of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), outlining achievements and future plans ahead of the union’s election scheduled for December 11, 2025.
The visit comes barely a week after rival group, “Team-RA” led by former Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Comrade Razaq Ayinla, made a similar appearance, as both teams intensify efforts to secure support from members of the chapel.
The interaction, held at the Ogun NUJ Hall in Abeokuta, began with opening remarks from Comrade Hakeem Adegbenro, Director General (DG) of Team-ICON and State correspondent of Blueprint Newspaper.
He praised what he described as “remarkable infrastructural improvements and human capital advancement” recorded under Olanrewaju’s leadership, while contrasting it with the “nearly dilapidated building” inherited in December 2022.
Premier World News reports that Team-ICON comprises seven aspirants accordingly:
- Akinwale Olanrewaju – Chairman (for 2nd term)
- Abiodun Lawal – Vice Chairman (for 2nd term)
- Bunmi Adigun – Secretary (for 2nd term)
- Toyin Oyelumade – Assistant Secretary (for 2nd term)
- Idris Adelakun – Treasurer (for 2nd term)
- Luqman Adefeso – Financial Secretary (1st term)
- Olayinka Azema – Auditor (1st term)
Addressing members, Olanrewaju presented a detailed account of his administration’s achievements since assuming office on December 22, 2022.
He emphasized that despite starting his tenure without grants or operational subsidies, his team relied on goodwill, partnerships and strategic reforms to “rebuild a union that was nearly incapacitated”.
Key projects he highlighted include:
- Complete restructuring of the NUJ secretariat, including fitted POP installation
- Installation of a 12KVA solar power plant and solar-powered street lights
- Deployment and installation of high-capacity wall fans and eight A.E.ON air conditioning units
- Procurement of 100 custom-built executive chairs
- Acquisition a new union bus within the first six months in office
- Remodeling of office spaces, including the chairman’s former for improved efficiency
- Establishment of a standard newsroom and creation of a functional borehole
- Advanced security and lighting upgrades at the secretariat
- Obtaining documentation and the status of the permanent site
- Multiple administrative, welfare-driven and human-focused interventions, etc.
Reflecting on his 17 years of active service on the council before becoming chairman, Olanrewaju said his leadership intentionally shifted the union away from internal crises towards dignity, structure and development.
“We restored vision, dignity, stability and progress to this union and we are prepared to consolidate these gains”, he assured.
Federated Chapel Chairman, Comrade Juwon Opayemi, commended Team-ICON for their engagement and stressed that the union must prioritize unity to ensure effective service delivery.
Also speaking, veteran NUJ leader, Elder Dada Olaonipekun, cautioned against divisive politics, warning members not to “sell union secrets” during the election, referencing the tensions between Team-ICON and rival Team-RA.
Outlining his second-term vision, Olanrewaju pledged to deliver:
- Free Wi-Fi services across the secretariat
- One of Nigeria’s best-equipped newsrooms
- Regular training and capacity-building programmes for journalists
- Lifting the long-standing press week embargo
- Enhanced independence and support for chapels
- Expansion of infrastructure and revenue-generation initiatives
- A modern shopping complex designed by OPIC to boost administrative efficiency, etc.
He reaffirmed his commitment to “renewing the NUJ’s core mission of service, strengthening development efforts and rekindling unity across all chapels”.
Chapel officials and other journalists at the event, including Secretary Gafar Babalola, Nigerian Tribune’s State Correspondent, Olayinka Olukoya, Editor of Premier World News, Wasiu Adekunle Adejumo and others, applauded the team’s accomplishments and urged them to deepen reforms if re-elected.
Premier World News also reports that some of the 15 Chapels under the Ogun State Council of the NUJ include: OGBC, NTA, OGTV, Ogun East, Correspondents, Federated, Premium Radio, Federal Information & National Orientations, among others.
