In a campaign that sparked renewed hope for members across Oke-Ogun Federated Chapel, leading NUJ Oyo chairmanship candidate, Akeem Abas, dazzled journalists with an ambitious, people-centered blueprint for a stronger, dignified and future-ready union.
Abas, who led his Great Minds’ Team to the Oke-Ogun Federated Chapel on Saturday , 29th November, was warmly received by members who described his message as reassuring, practical and forward-looking.
The candidate popularly known as Alakime, urged Oke-Ogun chapel’s members to cast their votes for all Great Minds’ candidates, assuring them of a rebranded and highly dignified union.
Abas unveiled a plan to train at least 300 journalists in three years through an in-house, cost-effective model that would rely on seasoned resource persons sourced from within the union.
He said that AI-driven capacity-building was already underway, promising sustained emerging-media training to equip journalists for rapidly evolving newsrooms’ realities.
The frontline contender also pledged to boost revenue through value-adding, innovative projects designed to reposition the union and reduce overreliance on government funding channels.
Abas assured the members of an all-inclusive administration where every member and chapel would enjoy full participation in decision-making, programmes and union affairs.
He outlined plans for a functional Elders’ Advisory Council that would ensure regular engagement with veterans as well as past leaders to strengthen institutional memory and enhance leadership stability.
The frontline contender promised to declare state of emergency on professionalism, while ensuring strong adherence to ethical standards.
When elected, Abas declared his team’s readiness to collaborate with government as partners in progress, through agenda setting roles.
He promised to institute food bank where members can access food items at subsidised and affordable rates.
Abas rounded off by promising annual manifesto assessments, equal rights, fair benefits and a collective push toward professionalism, ethical rebirth and the restoration of dignity to the journalism profession.
He urged them to vote Akeem Abas as Chairman, Abiodun Atilola as Vice-Chairman, Temidayo Adu as Secretary and Khalid Imran as Treasurer come December 9.
The team’s Director-General, Olamilekan Shobo Shobowale, said that a vote for the Great Minds’ candidates was a vote for integrity, transparency, accountability and rebranded Oyo NUJ.
Shobowale said that the candidates were nominated having carefully monitored their proven track records of service, professionalism and ethical conducts.
He called on all members to vote Great Minds’ candidates in the December 9 election for a greater Oyo NUJ, urging them to place the union above all forms of inducement.
