The Divine Mandate Team, one of the frontline groups contesting the 2025 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council election, officially flagged off its campaign on Thursday in a spectacular and energetic fashion that drew applause and admiration from members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mokola, Ibadan.
The event, described by attendees as “intimidating, well-organized, and inspiring,” marked the formal beginning of what many have termed one of the most vibrant campaigns in the union’s recent history.
The Divine Mandate Team chose the Correspondents’ Chapel as the first point of call for its campaign — a decision symbolic of solidarity and gratitude, as the chapel produced the team’s Chairmanship candidate, Comrade Raji Adebayo, who also served as the chapel’s immediate past Chairman.
The team was warmly received by the chapel’s Acting Chairman, Mr. John Alabi, and Secretary, Mr. Dare Adeoogodiran, alongside a large turnout of members who filled the hall with cheers and applause as the team arrived.
In his address, Comrade Raji Adebayo unveiled his vision for a more transparent, inclusive, and welfare-driven NUJ, pledging to build upon the achievements of the outgoing administration led by Comrade Ademola Babalola.
<span;>> “Our goal is to build a responsive, transparent, and efficient NUJ Council that prioritizes members’ welfare, capacity development, and digital advancement of every journalist in Oyo State,” Adebayo declared.
“If entrusted with your mandate, we will serve with integrity, diligence, and innovation, upholding fairness, equity, and justice in all our dealings.”
He further highlighted the team’s core agenda under five pillars:
1. Welfare First
2. Capacity Building and Continuous Training
3. Digital Transformation of the Secretariat
4. Transparency and Accountability
5. Unity and Reform
Other members of the Divine Mandate Team present at the flag-off include Comrade Adebayo Abdur-Rofih (BCOS, Vice Chairmanship Candidate), Comrade Olamide Adeniji (Information Chapel, Secretary), Comrade Moses Morenikeji (FRCN, Treasurer), and Comrade Nurudeen Alimi (Tribune Chapel, Auditor).
They each reaffirmed their collective commitment to fostering professionalism, harmony, and progress within the Oyo NUJ Council, promising to bring innovation and integrity to every aspect of the union’s operations.
The event was characterized by robust interaction as members of the Correspondents’ Chapel engaged the candidates with questions on policy direction, welfare plans, and accountability mechanisms.
Raji Adebayo, known for his calm and respectful disposition, reportedly handled all questions with “maturity, clarity, and intelligence,” earning him a standing ovation from members present.
One of the chapel’s elders described the outing as “a masterclass in organization and strategy,” noting that “other teams will have to work very hard to match this level of coordination and composure.”
Observers at the event noted that the Divine Mandate Team has so far projected a strong image of unity, vision, and readiness to lead, setting the tone for what promises to be a highly engaging election season within the Oyo NUJ.
As the campaign train moves to other chapels across the state, the team’s message of transparency, accountability, and welfare-driven leadership appears to be resonating strongly with journalists and media practitioners eager for progressive reform within the union.
