The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, has celebrated its 45th anniversary and 2025 Press Week in Ilorin with the theme: ‘The Renewed Hope Agenda: A Mid-Term Appraisal of President Tinubu’s Reforms, Successes, and Prospects.’
Speaking at the grand finale and award night, Bolanle Olukoju, Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a transformative blueprint focused on economic reform, security, infrastructure, social welfare, and youth empowerment.
Represented by Jimoh Salau, she highlighted landmark policies including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and tax reforms, noting they were “bold, sometimes politically risky, but necessary to lay the foundation for a stable and competitive economy.”
Olukoju listed achievements such as over ₦1trillion saved from subsidy removal, improved crude oil production, rising foreign investments, and major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
Read also: Yahaya Bello receives lifetime achievement award from NUJ
She also mentioned social programmes such as conditional cash transfers, student loans, and affordable credit schemes, noting that inflation had dropped from 34.6% to 23.7% as of May 2025. She urged journalists to “amplify these achievements” in pursuit of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Issa Aremu, director-general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), commended the choice of the theme, calling it timely for assessing infrastructure development, job creation, and economic reforms.
Represented by Damilola Omole, Aremu said MINILS supports the Renewed Hope Agenda by leveraging international partnerships to enhance sustainable workplace development.
He encouraged journalists to “share information that enables citizens to make informed decisions” and pledged continuous collaboration with the media.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented by Rafiu Ajakaye, his Chief Press Secretary urged media professionals to prioritise national interest in their reportage, stressing the power of the press to influence positive change.
He lauded the Correspondents’ Chapel for upholding professionalism and expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda would improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Abdulraheem Adedoyin,
Former Commissioner for Communication and Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, advised journalists to remain committed to the ethics of the profession.
Praising Governor Abdulrazaq’s developmental strides, particularly in Kwara South, he urged the media to spotlight progress within and beyond the state, saying: “There is so much progress to showcase. Report it, and let the world know.”
Abdulhakeem Garba, the Chapel Chairman, reflected on his six years in office as a period of “happiness and sadness, smiles and cries,” describing them as the price of servant leadership.
He thanked Governor Abdulrazaq for his support and called for a state-wide media tour to showcase government projects.
Garba equally urged members to remain united, avoid divisive actions, and support the incoming leadership to achieve greater success.
