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By Daud Olatunji
On Sunday August 2, 2015 at his Presidential Hilltop private residence Abeokuta, former President Olusegun Obasanjo honoured a journalist, popularly called, ‘Pen-pusher’, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, a former Zonal Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ). The ceremony was a birthday bash sponsored by the former President in honour of the journalist.
Although the celebrant’s birthday was July 19, but in line with Obasanjo’s promise before jetting out of the country that day, the former President decided to keep his word on Sunday, August 2, 2015.
On the day, the Banquet Hall of the Obasanjo home was well prepared for the colourful ceremony, which was provided with sumptuous meal, wines and other assorted drinks.
There were a number of guests and well wishers invited by the celebrant, who were part of the epoch making ceremony, while the hall was full to the brim.
Colourfulceremony
Some of the dignitaries at the colourful ceremony include; the Iyalode of Yorubaland,Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson,Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe,(Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos) Chief Segun Odegbami (former Green Eagles Captain), Aare Lekan Alabi (Veteran journalist), Tunde Oladunjoye (former PDP deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State), Mr Dideolu Falobi (an engineer and President,
Ijesaland Development Foundation), Alhaji Ayinde Soaga (General Manager, Ogun State Television),Omooba Segun Adewale( former PDP governorship aspirant in Ogun State) Mr Tunde Sodeke (former Chairman,Ogun State NUJ) , Kemi Otegbade, Oyin Onime, Seye Kehinde, Funsho Akinwande, Kemi Otegbade and Wole Shokunbi (Chairman Ogun NUJ) among others
As the celebrant and the guests settled to the event, the sponsor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo walked in majestically at the scheduled time of 5.00pm. Interestingly both Obasanjo and the celebrant wore white attire. The kick-off of the event was a prayer said by Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, while the Master of Ceremony was Kehinde Akinyemi, the Daily Trust Newspapers correspondent in Ogun state.
The frank President in his usual style did not mince words, saying he was aware that many journalists are bad, but pointed out that not all of them are bad, hence, the need to celebrate the good ones. Obasanjo declared that he would remain blunt for life, just as he added that he never hate the media as been made to belief in some quarters stressing that irresponsible journalism should not be allow in nation building.
‘I remain myself and I will continue to remain myself in being blunt. I don’t hate the media,but there are some bad eggs in the profession, and this must not be allowed, and the truth must be told. However, not all journalists are bad, hence, the need to celebrate the good ones, as we are all witnessing today’, Obasanjo emphasized.
He said he had equally dealt extensively on this menace in the profession in his book, ‘My Watch’, stressing that bad journalism should not be allowed to strive, and he would not stop to condemn such act and will continue to celebrate the good ones.
Obasanjo said journalists are expected to play meaningful roles in the society, explaining that, he was not against genuine criticism from the media, but the practitioners must always be sincere and committed to the ethics of the profession. The celebrant, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji in his vote of thanks displayed bountiful joy, and expressed profound appreciation to the former President over the honour, saying Obasanjo had added value to his life.
Bountifulreward
“Baba, I must confess you have added value to my life today for the honour you bestowed on me, I am overwhelm, and I am very grateful. What you see in me to give me this honour, I pray God will not allow Satan to derail me from the qualities found in me. I am short of words.
‘All I know is that, it is God who gives rewards, Baba I pray that God will reward you bountifully, and for all my guests, I want to equally appreciate you all, for been part of this my success story. Joy will remain a permanent resident in the home of all of you; you have made my day and added to my joy’, the celebrant said
In his own remark, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe told the gathering that the celebrant is his first cousin, and knowing his background, he is expected to be responsible as noticed by Obasanjo to have honour him. The former Vice-Chancellor said when the celebrant extended the invite to the event to him, he never give it a second thought, because for former President to have found him worthy to be honoured, it shows his (Dimeji”s) qualities.
Contaryview
“Dimeji is my first cousin, and from his background right from Ilesa, I don’t expect anything less. So when he sent text to me that, Baba is to host him and invites me, I never give a contrary view to it, because I know he is a blessing to Ijesaland and the family. So on behalf of our family back in Ilesa, I want to thank Baba Obasanjo for this honour’.
Iyalode of Yorubaland ,Chief (Mrs Alaba Lawson in her own remark, recalled that she had known the celebrant since 1982, and never found him wanting, stressing that, that was one of the qualities that made her to be close to him, and till date she has no regret associating with him.
Lawson added that, for Baba Obasanjo to have considered him for this great honour, shows that he is dearly loved by the former President, stressing that it is a known fact that Obasanjo doesn’t celebrate worthless people. ‘I have known Dimeji since 1982, and I can say boldly and openly that I have no regret associating with him. He is a journalist of repute and respect. He does not compromise his integrity, and that is why many of us are proud to be associated with him.
Iyalode Lawson, also called on the celebrant to see the honour , as one that should further motivate and spur him to another greater height, pointing out that, Obasanjo honour to him is commendable.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with the celebrator, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
On the day, the Banquet Hall of the Obasanjo home was well prepared for the colourful ceremony, which was provided with sumptuous meal, wines and other assorted drinks.
There were a number of guests and well wishers invited by the celebrant, who were part of the epoch making ceremony, while the hall was full to the brim.
Colourfulceremony
Some of the dignitaries at the colourful ceremony include; the Iyalode of Yorubaland,Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson,Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe,(Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos) Chief Segun Odegbami (former Green Eagles Captain), Aare Lekan Alabi (Veteran journalist), Tunde Oladunjoye (former PDP deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State), Mr Dideolu Falobi (an engineer and President,
Ijesaland Development Foundation), Alhaji Ayinde Soaga (General Manager, Ogun State Television),Omooba Segun Adewale( former PDP governorship aspirant in Ogun State) Mr Tunde Sodeke (former Chairman,Ogun State NUJ) , Kemi Otegbade, Oyin Onime, Seye Kehinde, Funsho Akinwande, Kemi Otegbade and Wole Shokunbi (Chairman Ogun NUJ) among others
As the celebrant and the guests settled to the event, the sponsor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo walked in majestically at the scheduled time of 5.00pm. Interestingly both Obasanjo and the celebrant wore white attire. The kick-off of the event was a prayer said by Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, while the Master of Ceremony was Kehinde Akinyemi, the Daily Trust Newspapers correspondent in Ogun state.
The frank President in his usual style did not mince words, saying he was aware that many journalists are bad, but pointed out that not all of them are bad, hence, the need to celebrate the good ones. Obasanjo declared that he would remain blunt for life, just as he added that he never hate the media as been made to belief in some quarters stressing that irresponsible journalism should not be allow in nation building.
‘I remain myself and I will continue to remain myself in being blunt. I don’t hate the media,but there are some bad eggs in the profession, and this must not be allowed, and the truth must be told. However, not all journalists are bad, hence, the need to celebrate the good ones, as we are all witnessing today’, Obasanjo emphasized.
He said he had equally dealt extensively on this menace in the profession in his book, ‘My Watch’, stressing that bad journalism should not be allowed to strive, and he would not stop to condemn such act and will continue to celebrate the good ones.
Obasanjo said journalists are expected to play meaningful roles in the society, explaining that, he was not against genuine criticism from the media, but the practitioners must always be sincere and committed to the ethics of the profession. The celebrant, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji in his vote of thanks displayed bountiful joy, and expressed profound appreciation to the former President over the honour, saying Obasanjo had added value to his life.
Bountifulreward
“Baba, I must confess you have added value to my life today for the honour you bestowed on me, I am overwhelm, and I am very grateful. What you see in me to give me this honour, I pray God will not allow Satan to derail me from the qualities found in me. I am short of words.
‘All I know is that, it is God who gives rewards, Baba I pray that God will reward you bountifully, and for all my guests, I want to equally appreciate you all, for been part of this my success story. Joy will remain a permanent resident in the home of all of you; you have made my day and added to my joy’, the celebrant said
In his own remark, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe told the gathering that the celebrant is his first cousin, and knowing his background, he is expected to be responsible as noticed by Obasanjo to have honour him. The former Vice-Chancellor said when the celebrant extended the invite to the event to him, he never give it a second thought, because for former President to have found him worthy to be honoured, it shows his (Dimeji”s) qualities.
Contaryview
“Dimeji is my first cousin, and from his background right from Ilesa, I don’t expect anything less. So when he sent text to me that, Baba is to host him and invites me, I never give a contrary view to it, because I know he is a blessing to Ijesaland and the family. So on behalf of our family back in Ilesa, I want to thank Baba Obasanjo for this honour’.
Iyalode of Yorubaland ,Chief (Mrs Alaba Lawson in her own remark, recalled that she had known the celebrant since 1982, and never found him wanting, stressing that, that was one of the qualities that made her to be close to him, and till date she has no regret associating with him.
Lawson added that, for Baba Obasanjo to have considered him for this great honour, shows that he is dearly loved by the former President, stressing that it is a known fact that Obasanjo doesn’t celebrate worthless people. ‘I have known Dimeji since 1982, and I can say boldly and openly that I have no regret associating with him. He is a journalist of repute and respect. He does not compromise his integrity, and that is why many of us are proud to be associated with him.
Iyalode Lawson, also called on the celebrant to see the honour , as one that should further motivate and spur him to another greater height, pointing out that, Obasanjo honour to him is commendable.
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