Omotoso, Ogunbanwo mobilise support as Akodu campaign train kicks off
The flag-off ceremony of the Adewale Akodu Campaign Train witnessed an impressive turnout of supporters, union leaders, elders and journalists at the Information Conference Hall of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy on Tuesday.
The event provided an opportunity for Akodu to celebrate distinguished leaders and unveil his 10-point manifesto, outlining his vision for unity, improved welfare, accountability and professional development within the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, commended the attendees and expressed confidence in Akodu’s ability to represent the interests of the journalism community.
Omotoso urged members to reach out to their colleagues and friends across media organisations to mobilise support for Akodu.
“I am happy that this is happening. It is a matter of duty for all of us to talk to our colleagues and friends in other media houses,” he said.
He added that members of the union stood to benefit from purposeful leadership, urging them to take ownership of the campaign.
“We will all benefit from him when he gets there. We are all his campaign managers. For all to enjoy a stronger NUJ, Akodu is the man to support,” the Commissioner said.
In his response, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, expressed appreciation to the NUJ elders and other stakeholders who attended to show their support for the chapel and Akodu’s candidacy.
Ogunbanwo said Akodu’s campaign reflected a spirit of unity, particularly in its ability to bring people from different ethnic backgrounds together.
“I can see the kind of spirit Akodu is carrying; the spirit of unity, bringing people from different tribes together,” he said.
He called on members to work together to strengthen the chapel, which he described as the largest in Nigeria and, by extension, Africa.
Recalling the support he received from the NUJ during a challenging period when he underwent three surgical operations, Ogunbanwo described the union as one he deeply cherishes.
He expressed confidence that Akodu would contribute significantly to the development of the chapel and the Lagos State Council, adding that opportunities capable of producing remarkable achievements should be explored for the benefit of members.
He urged journalists to unite behind Akodu’s candidacy and work collectively towards achieving the campaign’s objectives.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Adewale Akodu Campaign Council, Yunus Yusuf, described the gathering as a top-notch event, noting the credibility and calibre of personalities in attendance.
Yusuf pledged the campaign council’s total commitment to Akodu’s aspiration and expressed confidence in the campaign’s prospects.
The Vice Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council, Philip Nwosu, has also commended the Lagos Information Chapel for the support it gave him three years ago when he sought the votes of members of the Ministry to emerge as Vice Chairman of the Union at the State Council level.
Nwosu expressed appreciation for the chapel’s role in his emergence, pledging to reciprocate the gesture by embarking on a full-scale mobilisation in support of Adewale Akodu’s aspiration to become the next Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council.
He assured the campaign of his commitment to galvanising support for Akodu’s candidacy, describing the forthcoming election as an opportunity to consolidate unity and advance the collective interests of journalists in Lagos State.
Other NUJ elders, members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and supporters from various chapels were also present at the ceremony, underscoring the gathering’s broad participation across the union.
