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Southwest NUJ Honours Aregbesola With Patronage In Grand Ceremony
The Southwest Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, on Friday honoured Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in a grand ceremony which held in Ibadan, the Oyo state Capital.
As earlier reported by EKO HOT BLOG, the former Osun State Governor is being honoured by the Southwest wing of the apex union of Journalists in Nigeria for his outstanding contributions and support for the profession during the course of his career in public service.
The event, which held on Friday, March 26, 2021 had in attendance eminent government functionaries from Southwest Nigeria and beyond including the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje who was the chairman of the occasion.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Adekunle congratulated the honourable Minister, who according to him absolutely deserved the accolades and titles conferred to him on the day,
“I want to congratulate the minister on your well deserved award on your well deserved award for your contributions to the promotion of Journalism in Nigeria through your pragmatic approach to the profession during your tenure as Governor of Osun State”.
In his response, the Minister thanked the union for the recognition, noting that his title as grand patron of the union implied more of a responsibility than an honour.
He also stated that his passion for supporting the cause of journalism stems from a deep-seated ideology that having a well informed society is far more important than having a government in society.
“I must thank the leadership of the Nigerian union of Journalists, Southwest Zone for the honour being bestowed on me by making me the grand patron of the association in this zone. Like I said, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability.”.
“My relationship with the media has been very long. Right from my student unionism days at Polytechnic Ibadan when I used to write for both the campus journals and for the national newspapers.”
“My interest in media stems from my believe that humans are intrinsically good and will be inclined to do the right thing if properly informed and guided. This believe has sustained my interest in the media, not minding the huge cost in a challenging economy with zero prospect of profit,” he stated.
Speaking further in a speech titled “Random thoughts on Nigeria Today,” the veteran politician harped on the need to maintain Nigeria’s unity, as the increasing calls for secession will only weaken Nigeria’s place as one of the most powerful black nations on earth.
He noted that “blending together a heterogeneous people with disparate cultural and historical backgrounds is a long and tortuous process” and called on Nigerians to shun such ethnic jingoisms capable of inciting war since even the victors of a war could have to face the harsh reality of having it’s civilization set back by hundreds of years.
The NUJ in it’s response thanked the Minister for his sustained interest in the media industry and promised to work seamlessly and symbiotically with the media friendly politician in achieving the ultimate goal of producing an egalitarian society capable of actualizing the ideals of Nigeria’s foremost Nationalists.
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