The Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State council held its press week, Ibadan last week with the theme — “Democracy and the Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria Ahead of the 2027 General Election”.
The week started with a thanksgiving service at Celestial Church of Christ, Onala Parish, off Alakia road, Ibadan followed by lectures, sporting activities as well as special Jumat Service to round off the year 2025 Press Week of the Oyo NUJ at Alhaji Abdul Lateef Olajide Central Mosque Asabari, Anfani, Ibadan.
Delivering a paper titled “Democracy and search for quality leadership in Nigeria” at the opening of the press week in Ibadan, Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, an Ibadan chief and PDP governorship hopeful, said that quality leaders would continue to shun Nigerian politics due to corruption, bribery, mediocrity, lack of demand for accountability and weak institutions.
Explaining the reasons why quality and effective leaders will continue to elude Nigeria, stayed that capable people who can turn around the fortunes of the country for better will continue to run away from politics.
Saying that the search for quality leadership in Nigeria requires attitudinal change, collective and collaborative efforts of every Nigerian, he used the opportunity to appeal to the citizens to work together to build a Nigeria where leaders are chosen based on merit, not mediocrity.
“Citizens should demand accountability from their leaders by asking questions, seeking information, and holding them responsible for their actions. Citizens should support institutions that promote good governance, such as independent judiciary, free press, and anti-corruption agencies.
“Citizens should invest in education and critical thinking to be able to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the democratic process. Citizens should participate in the electoral process by voting, contesting for office, and engaging in civic activities. The search for quality leadership in Nigeria requires attitudinal change, collective and collaborative efforts of every Nigerian. We must work together to build a Nigeria where leaders are chosen based on merit, not mediocrity”.
While addressing the gathering, he said that for Nigeria to have quality leaders who will turn around the fortune of the country, there is a need for the people to participate in politics and encourage merit during electoral processes.
Adegoke, who doubles as Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, urged the citizens to play active roles in the electoral processes, adding that for the country to move forward, the current government must invest in quality education.
The event, which was held at NUJ Secretariat, Iyaganku Ibadan, was attended by governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was represented by Segun Ogunwuyi,his Chief of Staff ,Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Sulaimon OlanrewajuSpecial Adviser on Media to governor Makinde and Bayo Titilola Sodo his counterpart, Special Adviser on Labour, Ademola Babalola, NUJ Chairman, and scores of journalists in the state.
Makinde, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, charged the media to continue to play its critical roles in the democratic processes.
Makinde also noted that as a government, the state will continue to partner with journalists in the state to move the state forward.
“This year’s Press Week theme — “Democracy and the Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria Ahead of the 2027 General Election” — could not have been timelier. It speaks directly to the heart of our national challenge: how to strengthen democratic values and ensure that leadership at all levels truly serves the people.
“As we approach another election cycle, it is essential that the media continues to play its noble role — not as a tool for division, but as a beacon of accountability and civic education, helping citizens make informed choices and holding leaders to the highest standards of integrity.
“Most importantly, we must acknowledge and celebrate the exemplary service of Comrade Demola Babalola and his team, who will be completing their two-term tenure this December. Over the past six years, they have demonstrated uncommon dedication, unity, and professionalism, leaving the Union stronger than they met it.
Ogundoyin, while speaking, appealed to the youths not to shun politics because majority of them have the capacity to lead the country.
“A lot of youths have the capacity and what we need to do is to take ownership of our communities. We must not feel that we are inadequate or we are not up to the task. I beg them and appeal to the youths to have confidence in themselves and take up the mantle of leadership because they can’t give it to us unless we aspire”.
Olanrewaju and Sodo in their separate remarks appreciated the leadership of the union and journalists in the state for the critical roles they have been playing in informing, educating and enlightening the people on the activities of the current government in the state.
Babalola, in his opening address thanked the state government and his colleagues for their support in the last six years. He charged the incoming executive members of the union to consolidate on his achievements.
In his lecture titled “Governance, democracy, politicians and society: Bridging the gap between expectation and delivery” Akeem Agbaje,a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the press week declared that the media also contributes to Nigeria’s problems.
Agbaje, a lawyer made this declaration at the lecture which was attended by Yemi Farounbi, Samuel Eegunjobi and the NUJ Chairman, Ademola Babalola among other stakeholders held at NUJ Secretariat, Iyaganku Ibadan. He said that the political office holders also compromise the media in their bid to achieve their self-interest, maintaining that the political elites compromise either the media owners or the practitioners in order to buy their ways.
Agbaje, who identified weak institutions, lack of accountability, corruption and flawed electoral processes as some of the causes of the problems in the country further, advised the media practitioners to continue to play their roles responsibly.
He advised journalists to pursue truth with fairness and integrity saying “the media occupies a sacred position in the society. The media also contributes to the problems. It is either they compromise the media owners or the practitioners (journalists). When I was reviewing the paper yesterday, someone said that we should step it down, but for me, I have to say it. The media also contributes to the problems.
“Democracy, in its truest sense, is about the people. It is about their collective will, welfare, and wellbeing. It rests on the pillars of accountability, transparency, justice, and inclusiveness. However, in Nigeria, our democratic practice often falls short of these ideals. The promises made before elections rarely match the realities that follow, creating a widening gap between expectation and delivery.
“Many Nigerians now question not only the effectiveness of governance but also the sincerity of those entrusted with it. The resulting trust deficit between the government and the governed has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It is not enough to lament this failure; we must identify its causes and propose workable solutions that can restore faith in our democracy. The Failure in Delivering Democratic Dividends.
“The dividends of democracy refer to the tangible benefits that citizens should derive from democratic governance. These include security, quality education, accessible healthcare, reliable infrastructure, and equal opportunities. Where these are lacking, democracy becomes hollow and loses its meaning to the ordinary citizen.
“Our problem as a nation is not the absence of democracy but the absence of democratic values in governance. While elections are held periodically, the institutions and systems that should transform political power into public good remain weak or compromised.
“In Nigeria, individuals are often stronger than the institutions that should regulate them. When public institutions depend on personalities rather than principles, governance becomes self-serving and inconsistent. Laws are interpreted to protect interests rather than promote justice.
“Corruption continues to undermine development at every level. It is not only about funds stolen but about opportunities wasted. Money meant for hospitals, schools, and public services often disappears through inflated contracts or abandoned projects. Without accountability, mediocrity becomes acceptable and excellence becomes rare.
“Many leaders emerge through processes that reward loyalty over competence. When politics is treated as a business rather than a platform for service, those who seek office do so to recover their investments, not to serve the people”.
Agbaje however commended the Oyo State NUJ for its commitment to the cause of truth and development.
“May your work continue to strengthen our democracy and inspire good governance. Thank you, and may God bless the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Chapter, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he added.
