For the records: Welcome speech at 5th anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media
Being a welcome address delivered by Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Founder of Penpushing Media, at the 5th anniversary lecture held at Marquee events centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun state on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
PROTOCOL
I want to welcome everyone, beginning from our elders, leaders, other dignitaries and distinguished guest to this remarkable occasion, which is another feat in the existence of Penpushing, a project which started precisely 6 years ago today.
For clarity, this gathering is our 5th anniversary lecture because we missed one of the series due to the COVID-19 lockdown, following the emergence of coronavirus pandemic across the globe, and we use this occasion to pray for the souls of those who lost their lives during the period.
It is gratifying to note that, Penpushing has come to stay with Almighty’s blessings and support of all the 256 members across the globe, as well as support from all the invited guests. The lecture has become an annual event with resounding successes, and I as the Driver of this project, I want to profusely appreciate everybody on behalf of Management, Editorial Board and members across the globe.
The maiden edition was colorful, and we had in attendance participants from all walks of life. Recall that, late Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice-chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG) was the Guest Lecturer, who spoke on the topic, “Building Parameters for Trust to Achieve Political and National Growth”. Similarly our second anniversary lecture recorded same success. The Guest Lecturer was the Country Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Mr Ronald Kayanja who spoke on, ‘The Media and the Quest for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ The third edition was also a success story,and the guest lecturer was Prof Yemisi Obilade, former Vice Chancellor Tai Solarin University of Education(TASUED),who spoke on the theme, ’The Nigerian State,Political Evolution, And Multi-Party Democracy: Education to the Rescue”, and lecture of our 4th edition titled ‘Social Media Regulation: Insecurity and Elections Accountability in Nigeria”, Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director for West Africa, Ford Foundation
Penpushing platform, an idea, robustly nurtured through the journalistic ideology of the need for credible sources of news, parades high caliber personalities across the globe painstakingly created and designed to add value to journalism worldwide. The journey started July 19, 2016, from a WhatsApp group where authentic news are readily available globally.
Penpushing is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and received certificate on June 1, 2017, which gave birth to our online publication.
The online publication started operations in December, 2018 with website address www.penpushingng.com.ng as well Facebook, Youtube and Twitter pages, and we make bold to say that we are gradually becoming a household name in the media industry because of our demonstration of authenticity in news dissemination.
As at today we are also in partnership with a number of reputable international and national organizations, having been convinced about our competence, originality and ingenuity in news dissemination across the globe. The partners include: United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), International Press Institute, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre(WARDC), 100 Women Lobby Group), Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, Fad Maestro Academy and we are also member of the Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP), Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE) and International Press Institute(IPI) among others.
In same vein, we are also in partnership with notable media organisations which include Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abeokuta, Metropolitan Broadcasting Service (MBS), Impact Africa Television (IATV), Impact Business Radio (IBR FM), Rockcity FM, Sweet FM, WFM Radio, Fresh FM, Public faces Magazine, City People Magazine, Gateway mail Online, Newsmaker online, Newspot Online, CityVoice Online among others in projecting our mission for authentic news dissemination.
In the course of our media journey, we took another giant stride, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) to train journalists across the six geo- political zones of Nigeria. The beneficiaries through the workshop had been admitted into the pool of the organization for subsequent training offers within and outside the country.
I am also happy to inform the gathering that within this period of our existence, we have launched additional project, which is beaming events live via our website, as well as the introduction of our online television.
Penpushing also resolved on need to contribute to positive growth of masscommunication/journalism undergraduates and as at today we have trained over 70 students from various tertiary institutions across the country who had their practical training (industrial attachment) with us.
Similarly, Penpushing positively moved forward in the area of corporate social responsibility, using the platform to show concern on the plight of the less privileged and special people, one was the discovery of Sarah Ajayi, 20 year old blind girl, who lost her two eyes to cataract while in SSS2 class when she was 18 year old. Our online publication brought hope to the hopeless lady, through intervention of one of our leading leaders, who took over the educational expenses of the girl, and got, Sarah registered into the school for the blind in Lagos. I am happy to inform you that, Sarah is now a graduate who specializes in artwork, and we are using this medium to solicit empowerment for her to start a business on her artwork profession
One of our discoveries was another special person, Abiodun Omoyaiye Soyeri, a 30 year old Physically challenged person, a graduate of mass communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, who was in dire need of wheel chair to aid his movement, and we want to thank our mother Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President of Nigeria who provided the wheel chair.
The graduate, over a year on completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, remained jobless, and with the Penpushing efforts in bringing his plight to public domain, Abiodun as at today had gained full employment with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, and works in the Public Relations Department of the institution.
We do not want to stop here, we have just also introduced another item to our deliverables in terms of social responsibility, and it is about regular support for the less privileged, which is not limited to financial support, we also want to support for them through donations to a number of orphanages, so for those who want to support, you can contact the Editorial Board via our email [email protected] or following WhatsApp contacts: 08073463653,08033033398,08033516593,08034756184 and 08033459464.
On our Guest lecturer, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND), his choice was due to his track record as a multi-perspective and cerebral resource person and Development Expert, who will hereby today positively expand the frontiers of knowledge within the framework of the theme as he speaks on, ‘Burden of Inclusivity and Nigeria’s Democracy”. I am convinced that, we will all be treated to a very interesting lecture worth of our time, as we drink from his fountain of knowledge.
I want you to grant me the opportunity to appreciate members of the Editorial Board, which include: Olufunke Fadugba(Former General Manager News Raypower FM ), Eddy Aina (Former Director, National Broadcasting Commission), Chief Femi Shodunke ( a veteran Nigerian journalist resident in Canada),Yemisi Fadairo (a vibrant media practitioner/consultant) and our Legal Consultant, Barrister Benjamin Ogunmodede, as well as our administrator on the platform, Engr Dideolu Falobi.
There is also need to appreciate the personalities behind this colorful ceremony , the planning Committee; Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi(Chairperson), Sina Adefolahan(Secretary) ,Yemisi Fadairo(member),Doyin Lasisi(member) Otunba Gbenga Onayiga(member), Toyin Ogunbomehin(member), Dr Adewunmi Alayaki (member)and Hon Remmy Hazzan(member).
At this junction, permit me to draw attention to and appeal to our members and numerous readers on the need to consider Penpushing for advert placement in view of the fact that this is one major and crucial tonic for survival
Finally, let me once again welcome all of us to this august occasion. Thank you and may God guide us right as we listen to the lecture for today. Amen.
Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
(Founder)
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