Adebayo Adenrele
A Chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu has been honoured with the Political Icon of the Year award by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, during its 2025 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony.
Speaking at the event held in Ado-Ekiti, Adu lamented the poor salary structure of Civil Servants where they earn meager salaries despite decades of service, while corruption continues to thrive.
The political juggernaut, who emphasized the importance of integrity, accountability and genuine service in governance, warned that Nigeria risks remaining on a path of hardship for generations if the right people are not entrusted with leadership.
He also expressed concern over the shrinking space for investigative journalism in the country, saying many practitioners have abandoned their watchdog role due to fear of persecution, thereby weakening the critical link between government actions and the public interest.
Adu described his entry into politics as a divine calling, stating that his mission is not driven by popularity or personal gain, but by a commitment to serve the people in line with God’s directive.
According to him, Nigeria’s development requires bold reforms such as industrial expansion, modernized transportation systems, and investment in capital projects rather than excessive recurrent expenditure.
He urged the media to rise to the challenge of educating citizens and holding leaders accountable, saying their role is crucial in changing the nation’s trajectory.
His words, “None of you can put me in a position except God wants it. If God calls me to lead and liberate people who are suffering, He will provide the means.
“Why can’t we bring in modern buses as they have in the UK and US, and run them with proper technology? Why can’t we establish industries and create wealth instead of stealing public funds that end up hidden without benefit to society.
“We need to change the narrative. I am not here to impress anyone, but to use what God has placed in my hands to serve people. We must encourage those who genuinely want to work for the people so we can build a better society”.
Adu called on youths and women to pursue leadership roles based on merit and service rather than self-interest, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when the right people are placed in positions of authority.
