Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Royal Fathers and other dignitaries who graced the 50th Birthday Commemorative Lecture and Book Presentation have poured accolades and encomium on veteran Community Media Practitioner and Founder of Ikorodu Oga Radio, Om’oba ‘Peju Akinyemi.
The 2-in-1 event was graced by two Ikorodu Division Royal Fathers namely, HRM Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo and HRM, Oba Abdulsemiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo.
Other dignitaries that graced the event were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Tokunbo Abiru was also represented by his Media Aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun and the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Wasiu Adeshina.
The Royal Fathers spoke glowingly of the Celebrant, while acknowledging his contributions to the development of community Media in Ikorodu Division.
In the words of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, ‘We are extremely proud of this man who is a trailblazer in th community Media space’.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Wasiu Adeshina described Akinyemi as an outstanding journalist whose impact on the community was commendable.
‘I want to rejoice with the celebrant for making it to the fifth ladder.
You are an outstanding journalist. You have assisted most of the local governments in implementing our programmes and projects.
A former Lagos State Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe in his own remarks described Akinyemi as an Excellent and Efficient Professional.
‘Let start by giving testimony to the professional competencies of ‘Peju Akinyemi. I remember EPID, we had a General Assembly early this year and he was our media consultant and he handled the media affairs of that general assembly, excellently’, he said.
‘Again, we organised the 5th Education Stakeholders’ Summit, in the same manner, he was our Media Consultant and he also handled the dissemination of information and media of the Stakeholders’ summit, excellently’.
‘On a personal note, my family had a foundation laying ceremony of two blocks of 100-bed hostels at Model College, Igbogbo. At the same time, after the construction, he was our Consultant at the foundation laying ceremony and also our Consultant at the handing-over ceremony. I just want to testify that the two events were efficiently handled’, he submitted.
Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, the Executive Secretary of Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL) who represented the IDPIL BOT Chairman, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya commended Om’oba Akinyemi for being an exemplary journalist who ks given to excellence.
Abiru specifically praised Akinyemi his tenacity and resilience.
‘Peju is someone I am always proud of. Today, he has raised the stake again by publishing his third book. I make bold to say that he is the only Journalist in the entire Ikorodu Division who has three books to his credit’.
Also, a former Commissioner for Tourism in Lagos State, Adebimpe Akinsola praised ‘Peju’s astuteness.
‘In Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative, (IDPIL) ‘Peju is our Media Consultant and from the launching of IDPIL to the 3rd Anniversary held this year, he handled the media work and even the T.V Documentary, which was aired on DSTV’.
‘ ‘Peju is somebody that you can almost look past, because he won’t show himself. He is an epitome of humility.
Very very humble, unassuming, kind-hearted and straightforward. He is very very diligent in what he does’, she added.
‘For me personally, he has done a lot to support me to support, my vision to support whatever I am doing and I don’t think anything is too much to support him. And, you will see that everyone was rushing to be here for ‘Peju because if it were to be him, even if he has 10 events, he would try his best to touch at your event’, she noted.
A former President of the National Association of Proprietor’s or Private School, Lagos State, Alh. M.T Hamzat Olawale who is also the Director Homat Group of Schools also testified about ‘Peju’s tenacity.
‘On behalf of HOMAT Group of Schools, we want to say a very big congratulations to Peju of Nigeria. When I was the President of NAPPS, Lagos State, he assisted us to establish what we call NAPPS Radio, which was very effective, to the extent that the kudos was given to my administration’.
‘NAPPS Radio was effective to the extent that students in Lagos listen to the radio and it’s still effective till date’, he stated.
Om’oba Jokotade Ogunbiyi, the Olotu Anoko-Ogbonyari Royal Family of Ikorodu where ‘Peju hails from also commended the Celebrant for being a good ambassador of the Anoko-Ogbonyari Royal Family of Ikorodu and Sagamu.
‘I am extremely happy because one of us is the one being celebrated today. ‘Peju comes from the most populous Royal Family in Yoruba land. I thank him for being a good ambassador of our royal family’.
