By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin

University of Ilorin, Department of Mass Communication has presented award of excellence to media guru and Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom Chief Raheem Adedoyin and two other eminent media personalities in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the Department.

Also honoured are Prof Adesina Lukman Azeez, the first Professor of Mass Communication in the Department; and a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication in the Institution, Dr. Mahmud Abdulraheem.

Oloriewe Adedoyin’s pick was as a result of his pro bono services at the Department, according to the organisers.

In his response, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin said the honour was very significant to him because it was a celebration of professionalism and commitment to the advancement of the journalism profession.

“The reason why I am taking the award so seriously is that we don’t celebrate ourselves as reporters and journalists. Other people are honoured and celebrated but when it comes to us, we don’t celebrate ourselves. I think we should begin to celebrate ourselves too”.

He said the decision to teach students on pro bono basis came out of his commitment and passion to impart field experience into the students.

Oloriewe Adedoyin appreciated those who contributed in one way or the other to his journey in the journalism profession.

A notable media personality, Chief Raheem Adedoyin, the Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom says he dedicate his award to all his students wherever they are.

“They are just too fantastic! A lot of them are excelling in the media world”.

He reinforced this while waxing nostalgic about a scenario involving a former student who, now as a Masters Student in Europe, attended the IPI World congress in Vienna last year.

” Such a privilege is part of the benefits of being my student. They are open to the real media world “

In the words of the event citation author, Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin is a distinguished media icon, a public servant, a scholar, who has through the years of mentorship build bridges to connect the students for the sole objective of providing invaluable professional insights.

Adedoyin worked with Guardian Newspapers for several years before becoming Commissioner of Education and later Information in Kwara State

He is now representing Nigeria and Africa on the Executive Board of International Press Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.

Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom who stands as a global ambassador of press freedom and excellence, is a man whose life embodies service and unwavering dedication to journalism and education.

The media celebrity holds the viewpoint that “there is nothing like being a journalist”

According to him “Seeing one’s work triggering public policy change provides a unique, high-level sense of accomplishment that no other job offers. Above and beyond, the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the news industry means that no two days are the same, providing constant intellectual challenges and preventing boredom”.

Responding, other awardees, in their separate remarks, appreciated the Department for the honour, calling it a morale booster for them to do more for humanity.

Dr Mahmud recalled how he joined the Department as a freelancer before he was appointed as a senior researcher.

“I came in at a time as a freelancer. I was just teaching without any remuneration and I so much dedicated to my duty and that one cumulated into my appointment as a senior researcher. I was given a blanket letter of appointment with a special privilege to determine when to resume, it was left open-ended. This has to be traced to Prof Oloyede because he wanted to match what is taking place in the classroom and what is taking place in the field”.

Prof Azeez who was represented at the event by his wife, Mrs Omowumi Azeez, thanked the Department for the honour and recognition, promising to continue to do his best in imparting quality education into the younger generation.

Also speaking at the event, Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences, Prof. Abdulbaqi, described the recognition as well deserved, given their contributions and what they have invested in the development of the Department.

She hailed Prof Azeez for playing significant roles in imparting quality education into the students.

Prof Abdulbaqi also pointed out the roles played by Oloriewe Adedoyin and Barrister Abdulraheem as members of the White Paper Committee for the establishment of the Department some years back.

She noted with delight that the honourees have invested so much into the development and growth of the Department.

Dr. Udende, the convener, for his part, said since the birth of the Department 21 years ago, it has been growing from strength to strength, because of its solid foundation.

He noted that the Department has enjoyed invaluable contributions of the honourees and other stakeholders and called on others to emulate them.

In his remarks, DG of NOA, Mallam Onilu, congratulated the awardees on their recognition, saying they have given back to the system by impacting the lives of younger generations.

He particularly thanked the awardees for bridging gaps between what is obtainable in the classroom and practical experience in the field.

In attendance were the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu; Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Communications, Mallam Abdullateef Ibrahim; Dean, Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences, Unilorin, Prof. Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi; pioneer Dean of the faculty, Prof Omenogo Veronica Mejabi; Director, Corporate Affairs Department, University of Ilorin, Chief Kunle Akogun; and former Chairman, Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji Suleiman Yahaya.

Others were General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, Mr Yomi Adeboye; representative of the General Manager of Radio Kwara and Director of News and Current Affairs, Hajia Kuburat Mashood Mahmud; Prof Lambe Kayode Mustapha; and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Patrick Udende; among others.