NUJ OSBC Chapel’s Pen Week: Don Calls For Collective Efforts To Restore Nigeria’s Lost Glory

The 2024 edition of NUJ OSBC Chapel’s Pen week had come and gone, but what are those things that made this year’s edition exceptional?

In accordance with the tradition of the union every year certain days in a week are usually set aside, not only to celebrate but also to give thanks to Almighty God for the safety of the members throughout the year and also to seek for more guardian and protection, wine and dine relax and discuss salient issues that proffer solutions to any situation affecting the nation, due to the exigency of the journalism profession.

This year’s edition commenced as usual, with the Thanksgiving service at the C/S Isale St Michael Cathedral, Egbatedo Headquarters, Osogbo, to hand over the lined up events into the hand of God; where the Director General/Permanent Secretary of OSBC, Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola joined other members of her professional union in OSBC chapel, led by Comrade Lateef Agboola, to the church for the special service.

In his sermon, the Pastor in charge charged the members of the pen profession to use their weapon in shaping the nation without fear of favour. He described journalism as a special profession with special personalities with full of ideals that help the voiceless to have voice; while congratulating the NUJ OSBC Chapel for this year’s Pen Week and praying for God’s protection and guidance.

In her remarks, the Director General/Permanent Secretary osbc Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola, gave thanks to God Almighty for the opportunity to witness this year NUJ OSBC Pen Week and commended the religious leaders for their prayers and support.

Thereafter, the Commander Amotekun Corps in Osun State, Dr Isaac Adekunle Omoyele, hosted the members of the union to a grand reception, where people in attendance wined and dined together with the security chief. During the interactive session. Dr Omoyele used the avenue to highlight some of his success story in office within short period of time he took the mantle of leadership of the security organization, in protection of lives and property of people in Osun state while seeking the continued support of the people in the state to sustain the tempo and retain osun as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

He commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for prioritizing the security as key factors for the development and peaceful coexistence in the state.

The DG/PS of OSBC acknowledged the resilience of the Commander Amotekun in the state in curbing gangsterism, cultism, robbery and any forms of violence act in the state. He therefore called for partnership with the OSBC conglomerate to further promoting the activities of Amotekun Corps.

Declaring this year’s NUJ OSBC Pen week open, at the Open Air Studio of OSBC headquarters, Ile Awiye, Oke Baale, Osogbo, The DG/PS of OSBC Conglomerate, Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola, used the occasion to rejoice with the members of the union and charged them to always be dutiful in discharge of their duties, most especially in promoting the activities of the Government in the state under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

She thanked Governor Ademola Adeleke for his magnanimity in providing the newly digital transmitters and well equipped digital studios for three state owned radio stations, include OSBC 104.5fm, Oke Baale osogbo; Orisun 89.5 fm, Ile-Ife and Reality Radio, 96.3 FM Iwo; urging the members of the pen profession to reciprocate the gestures of the Government by giving his administration necessary support.

The two-in-one events afforded members of the union all staffs of the Corporation, including corps members and student interns opportunity to know their heath status; where the Chief Medical Director The Pathway Hospital, Dr Saheed Odediji and his team were on ground for the exercise.

Earlier in his Health Talk, Dr Odediji had highlighted some of factors leading to chronic diseases and emphasized the need for regular exercise and appealled to people to always consulting medical practitioners whenever they noticed any strange feelings.

He described the media profession as the jobs that requires mental health and need for the members of the profession to always take cognizance of their health, because Health is wealth.

The Grand Finale of the annual programme came up on Thursday; where the past leaders of the union were celebrated for their selfless services, presentation of award of excellence to some dignitaries, and professional awards to some pen professional that disguised themselves in discharging their duties, just as an Independence Anniversary Lecture was delivered.

In his lecture titled” Sixty Four Years Of Struggling After Independence: Which Way Nigeria?” Prof Abdwasiu Oyedokun-Ali, from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, digged deep into the factors militating against the progress of the country and highlighted some ways out, if truly Nigeria wants to change.

Prof Oyedokun-Ali, who saluted the courage of the founding fathers of the country for their unrellented efforts and selfless services to the nation; maintained that one of the problems facing the country is that those who have been opportune to serve the nation are building it in different ways. He therefore charged Nigerians not to lose hope in the restoration of the country’s seemingly lost glory.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of journalists, OSBC chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola congratulated all the pen professionals in OSBC for witnessing this year’s Pen Week, Celebration tagged Ancestors Day. He explained rationale behind the celebration of our past leaders, whom he described as heroes, who served diligently for the well laid foundation for the union for the benefits of the generations to come.

Those heroes who were celebrated include Elder Smolette Adetoyese Shittu-Alamu, Late Babatunde Idowu, Mrs Adejumoke Akinjiola, Prince Akinola Owolabi, Prince Ayoade Adedayo and Hon. Bamidele Salam. Other are Pastor Babatunde Oguntomi, Prince Olusola Ajiboye, Comrade Babatunde Fanawopo, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Yusuf, Late Tunde Adeyemo and Comrade Nathaniel Oyegoke.

Speaking on behalf of the celebrants, Elder Shittu-Alamu commended the present Executives of the NUJ, OSBC Chapel, for deeming it fit to recognize the role past leaders played in keeping the flag of the union flying. He described the union as a training ground, and OSBC chapel as a pace setter in the state.

Award of excellence were also presented to Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunla and Hon, Olusoji Adetunji, who are members of the National Assembly as well as Engr. Olalekan Badmus, the Executive Director at the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA; Otunba Rotimi Rominiyi, a Senior Business Executive from United Kingdom and Comrade Ayodele Agboola, another Business Executive based in the US, for their services to humanities; While Professional awards were also given to some of the pen profession for distinguished themselves in discharge of their duties, including Tobiloba Odunuga as Reporter of the Year , Temitope Olayiwola, Editor of the year and Funke Odejide, as the Yoruba Newscaster of the year.

Certificate of Appreciation was also presented to dignitaries who supported the NUJ, OSBC Chapel towards a successful 2024 Pen Week of the most Vibrant Chapel in Osun State.

The event was attended by the Dignitaries across the Globe, among whom were The Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Tegbosun III, CON; Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Qamarudeen Adeyemi Adeyanju Alawode IV; The Asiwaju of Ikirunland, Retired DIG Gazali Adewale Lawal; an American based Tech Expert, Prince Saheed Olalekan OYETUNDE, the Chairman, OSBC Board of Directors, Engineer Mayowa Olosho; the Director General/Permanent Secretary of OSBC Conglomerate, Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola; Personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Comrade Sesan Adeleke; the NUJ Chairman, Osun State council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and his entourage, among others.

The 2024 OSBC Nuj Pen Week climaxed with the special Jumat service, held at NACOMYO Mosque, Ayetoro osogbo.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam NACOMYO Mosque, admonished members of the union to be truthful and always ensure balance in their reportage, just as he prayed to Allah to grant His protection, guidance and prosperity, for all the members of the NUJ OSBC Chapel and their families.

Thereafter, the Chairman Osun state independent Electoral Commission Mr Hashim Abioye hosted the members of the union, with the Director General/ Permanent Secretary of OSBC in attendance; during which a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the OSSIEC Chairman, while the electoral body also presented Souvenir to the NUJ OSBC in return.

The 2024 NUJ OSBC Chapel’s Pen Week would remain evergreen in the memories of members, past leaders and all the dignitaries who participated in the Special event, which was described as first of its kind in the anal of the union.