The Ogun State Chapter of Young Media Practitioners of Nigeria (YOMPON) has honoured the Adele of Orile-Imo in Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State, Chief Olakunle Olalekan with Trailblazer Award for his support to Orile-Imo community.
The group equally made Olalekan its Patron.
YOMPON said, the choice of Asiwaju Olakunle was due to his contribution towards the development of his villages in Orile-Imo and Orile Oko in Remo North local government area of the state.
The YOMPON Chairman in the state, Comrade Saheed Adeola while decorating the community leader as the group’s patron explained that as part of the watchdog role of the media practitioners, the young professionals are keeping tabs of the developmental strides the awardee has facilitated to Orile-Imo and Orile-Oko respectively in the last decade.
Adeola noted that, the International breweries and many Chinese companies situated in the community were facilitated by the recipient.
He therefore, urged other philanthropists in the society to take a cue from the humanitarian gesture of High Chief Olakunle.
Also speaking, the National President of the association, Comrade Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji charged media professionals to beam their searchlight on the rural communities by projecting their basic needs to the government.
Ogunsiji who lamented the poor media coverage of the rural areas, charged journalists to engage in community journalism by bringing government to the doorstep of the common man through their sensitization reportage.
In his acceptance speech, Asiwaju Olakunle while commending the group for its focus on grassroots development and recognition for the award.
Olakunle said, “I am delighted and excited by this honour by this group of young dynamic journalists.
“The news of this award conferment came to me as a surprise because as a village man, I never imagine myself being consider for this honour.
“This award has indeed reshapen my philosophy about humanity and will further influence my decision to give back to the downtrodden and my immediate community.
“I want to assure you all, that I will not take this award for granted and I will continue to do more for my people and everybody me.”
