Soni Daniel
Abuja: Barely five months after the International Press Institute (IPI), honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS DG), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, with an award for promoting press freedom, the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has bestowed him with Friend of the Media award.
The investiture took place at the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards Night on Wednesday in Abuja where Mr. Ajayi was one of the special awardees and was described by BON as a thoroughbred professional, who has displayed utmost respect for the media since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
The head of the steering committee BON, Bayo Awosemo, who was also honoured for his exemplary leadership, received the award on behalf of the DSS DG.
Recognized alongside the DSS boss were the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Bassy Otu, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, a former Executive Secretary of BON, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdet for their support to the media industry.
It will be recalled that on December 2, the IPI honoured Mr. Ajayi, for upholding “Press Freedom” and fostering a better relationship with the media.
The award, presented at the IPI Annual Conference in Abuja, recognised Ajayi’s commitment to respecting journalists and improving the security agency’s interactions with the media since his appointment in August 2024.
In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, thanked the organisers for recognising hard work, professionalism and impactful contribution in society.
“I believe the media has a role to play in shaping everything that we do, not just in Nigeria but all over the world,” Lawal stated.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was the chief host, commended BON for conceiving and sustaining the initiative.
BON is one of the foremost media organisations and an umbrella body representing more than 300 CEOs of broadcast media houses across Nigeria.