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Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; his Ondo and Oyo State counterparts, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the Group Managing Director of Odua Investments Company Ltd, Mr Adewale Raji are among distinguished individuals and corporate Nigerians to be honoured with awards in Ibadan on January 29, for their special contributions towards making Nigeria work and thrive, even in these dire times.
Others on the roll call of honour include Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retd); first female Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo; and ace musician and Chairman, Fresh FM, Dr. Yinka Ayefele.
The line of corporate awardees include Dangote Cement, United Bank of Africa (UBA); Access Bank Plc; Bovas & Company Ltd. and Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA).
Conferment of the awards billed for the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, is the highpoint of the 10th anniversary celebration of Newspeak Media, publishers of Newspeak Magazine and newspeakonline.com.
The multimedia news outlet, which commenced operations 10 years ago, publishes quarterly news and special magazines in addition to running a vibrant news website and publishing video contents
Its Editor-in-Chief, Yinka Fabowale, in a statement commemorating the firm’s 10th anniversary, said Newspeak is rolling out the drums to celebrate “a decade of resilient, excellent and productive operations at a time media businesses face harsh economic conditions leading some to rapid collapse.”
He pointed out that the team considered it auspicious to recognise persons and organisations doing extraordinary things in the various spheres of life to make the country a better place amid daunting challenges.
The Newspeak boss lists courage, initiative, dynamism and excellence as the factors used to pick the recipients, adding that their characters, activities and performance were meticulously screened to determine their suitability for the honours.
“The awardees have shown remarkable initiative, daring and commitment to change the narratives and sorry states of the various environments they met and positively impact our world. By their different natures and actions they are changing the game and making critical difference in businesses and more importantly our lives. With their daring and genius, they inspire in Nigerians hope that tomorrow will be brighter and better. They deserve to be encouraged to do even more and to serve as beacons worth emulation by others,” Fabowale stressed.
Other awardees, who cut across politics, business and corporate governance, public service and, entertainment, include Chief Bayo Adelabu; Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation and the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), Dr Sola Akande.
