…..Olubukola Aduwo of NTA, APC’s Kolade Paff, PDP’s Allen Sowore also bag Alumni Award
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, was yesterday honored as a DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS with AWARD OF MERIT by the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, AAUA Alumni Association, Akure Branch.
The Association also honoured another Senior Journalist, Mrs Olubukola Aduwo of NTA (former Caretaker Chairman of Ondo NUJ).
The awards were conferred on them during the Association’s annual End of the Year ceremony held in Akure on Tuesday 27th December, 2022 and it was witnessed by some political class, academics and journalists as well as the Executives of Ondo NUJ.
Also honoured are; Hon Kolade Lawal Paff, the Southwest APC’s Zonal Youth Leader and the PDP Spokesman for Ondo South 2023 Campaign Committee, Barrister Allen Sowore among others.
Akure Branch Chairman of the Alumni Association, Comrade Alex Adeniyi in his address, said the group is proud of Adegbite especially what he had achieved for Ondo State NUJ in few months he took over the leadership of the union.
Adeniyi also noted with delight some of the efforts of the NUJ Chairman in seeing to the growth of the Alumni Association, urging Adegbite to the award spur him to do more for humanity.
The Alumni Chairman, stated that the end of the year party is a thing to celebrate, thanking members for their continous support.
He added that he felt elated, holding such event, as he got to meet with old friends, classmates, seniors and juniors. He added that the essence of the end of the year party is to bring people together again and see themselves.
Adeniyi urged the members to come together for the growth of the Alumni, as their Alma mata expects them to give back to the school. He stressed that they shouldn’t wait till they are being called upon before they do something for the school.
The National President, Dr Olumide Olugbemi noted that the party is an annual ritual for the group, stressing that it is necessary for them to appreciate God for His mercies and to celebrate themselves.
While urging the members to be committed to the association, Olumide said the alumni would make use of the opportunity they have to meet up with old friends and classmates, as there are lots of benefits in doing that for the growth of the university.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Professor Olugbenga Oke Samuel, who is also the Dean, Faculty of law, AAUA, opined that the Alunmi had gathered at a good time, stressing that Alumni Association is what everybody should belong to as it is a group of people united by common challenges.
Speaking on the theme of the end of the year party, “Redefining Adekunle Ajasin University Alumni”, Olugbenga urged members of the Alumni to use their resources to assist the school, partner with it, must be involved in the growth, ensure that the school is run very well.
“You must reconnect with old friends, be a role model and mentor the students of the school, support them, assist fresh graduates of your alma mata, keep them engaged, organize an award to honour members who are doing well in order to encourage them, hold a campaign or sensitization in the school to fight against drug abuse or smoking”.
The NUJ Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite in his response, appreciated the AAUA Alumni for the honour done him and his colleague (Aduwo), adding that the award will spur them to do more for the association, the university and journalism profession.
Adegbite, urged other members of the Alumni who aren’t active to join as there many opportunities in such an association.
Also, Mrs Bukola Aduwo, a member of the alumni association, who spoke at the event, appreciated the leadership of the alumni for organizing the end of the year party, adding that Alumni isn’t something that can be left apart.
“We need to come together as a product of that great university, we should do all we can to support and also, to support ourselves, that’s why I’m participating, it will encourage others coming behind me,” Aduwo said.
