The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the grand finale of its 2024 Press Week on December 18, 2024 gave a meritorious award to the state governor and Sardauna of Ilorin, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Governor AbdulRazaq bagged the award of Jinx Breaker of Governance in the history of Kwara State.
The council also gave awards to some deserving members of the council and others in the society in recognition and acknowledgement of their achievements in their professions.
Others who were awarded for their outstanding contributions to the development of the state include the senior adviser/ counselor to Kwara State governor, Alh Saadu Salahu, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, executive secretary, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu.
The rest were the chief press secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, founder of Threshold of Hope Foundation, Mrs Bolanle Yusuf; and chief executive officer of Silver Gate Hotel and Suites, Dr Kolo Jiya.
At the grand finale, members of the state council of NUJ, who distinguished themselves, also received awards.
They included the regional editor of Leadership Newspapers (North Central), Alh Abdullahi Hanafi Olesin (Editor of the Year); Ibrahim Alege of TVC, (Best Television Reporter of the Year), Babatunde Jimba of Kwara State Television Authority (Best Television Producer of the Year) and Ayodeji Ismail of Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Best Sports Reporter of the Year).
Others in the category were Biola Azeez of the Nigerian Tribune (Best Reporter of the Year; Print), Abdullahi Ahmed of Radio Nigeria (Best Reporter of the Year; Radio) and Abeeb Ahmed Oredunni (Best Press Secretary of the Year).
Speaking at the event, Governor AbdulRazaq identified media as an integral part of democracy.
AbdulRazaq, who spoke through his senior adviser and counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu, emphasized the importance of media in promoting good governance in the society.
The governor reminisced about the modest achievements of his administration since assumption of office, particularly in the areas of critical infrastructure and staff welfare.
In his remarks, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, said the ongoing reform in the council is not to witch-hunt anyone but to put the union on a sound footing.Ahmed applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his support to the council and eulogized those who contributed to the success of this year’s Press Week.
In his goodwill message, the state chairman, National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Alh Tunde Akanbi, noted that the annual event was aimed at celebrating members of the union.
