A former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashiru, has donated N5 million to the Kwara State Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He made the donation on Wednesday during the 45th anniversary celebration of the Chapel in Ilorin, the state capital.

Olawepo, represented by Abdulrazaq Hamzat, was honoured with an Award of Excellence, which he dedicated to Nigerian youths and victims of institutional abuse.

He told attendees that the award was not a recognition of personal success, but "about amplifying the voices of those silenced by systemic injustice."

He announced the N5 million contribution as a gesture of his commitment to press freedom and to support a vibrant, independent media, which he described as the "pillar of democracy."

Olawepo charged Nigerian journalists to remain fearless in holding institutions accountable and to continue defending public interest through responsible reporting.

According to him, institutional abuse, especially within academia, is a "silent killer of democracy that stifles innovation, silences dissent, and erodes public trust in governance."

He recalled how the University of Lagos withheld his degree certificate after disagreements over student activism, a challenge he turned into an opportunity.

He said that he used the opportunity to establish "Set and Sell", a political communication firm that launched his career in Public Relations and entrepreneurship.

Olawepo also highlighted the case of Hamzat, who was expelled and denied a Master's certificate by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) over a dispute regarding student association activities, describing such actions as "a dangerous stain on Nigeria's democratic credentials." "Institutions should address intellectual issues intellectually, not through victimisation," he stressed.

The NUJ Correspondents' Chapel, which comprises 50 elite national media outlets, said Hashim was honoured not only for his national vision but also for the humanitarian impact of the Gbenga Hashim Foundation across Nigeria.