Iyalode Yorubaland, Alaba Lawson hosts Journalists President

The Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson on Tuesday hosted the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isugizo and his entourage which was part of the President’s three day official visit to Ogun State.

Penpushing reports that, the President and his team were joyfully and in colourful manner welcome having arrived at about 4,30pm, as members rolled out drum to usher him into the Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta.

The train of the President later moved to the palatial home of Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson located at Quarry road in the ancient town, and landed in the waiting arms of the host, who had made adequate provision for winning and dining.

Penpushing further reports hundreds of members of the Ogun State Council were also in attendance to be part of the celebration, which was well packaged by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, with table set, and band boys who thrilled the guests with various songs

The President in his speech said, his visit to Ogun State was homecoming, having won his election on 5th of October 2018 in Abeokuta, as the union President, adding that, ‘and when we set out for the Journey, we said we were going to come to this place’

‘So I want to sincerely appreciate you (Madam General) for receiving us. I have heard so much about you. Since 1982 you’ve remained a leader that cares for your people, you’ve always related with NUJ. I am m Ogun State and I think time has come our Mother General for you to extend your good hand of fellowship beyond the shores  of Ogun State’,Isiguzo stated.

‘Well for me, mother general we are indeed very pleased to be here today. Like the Caretaker Chairman said earlier, this is like homecoming for me. On the 5th of October 2018, I was elected as the President of the Union in Abeokuta. And when we set out for the Journey, we said we were going to come to this place’.

‘We have the zonal leadership; the national trustee is also here. It would be a light to them if you extend your hand of fellowship to them and if it becomes necessary the national leaders also awaits your goodwill. So we are indeed grateful. For us to arrive here today and the very first place we are coming is your house is also very very significant and we appreciate you’.

Penpushing also reports that, Iyalode in her remarks, thanked the President and his team for the visit, and pointed out that, it was a welcome development on the emergence of a lady that would step in to the shoes of Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists in  Ogun State.

‘You see I feel great and delighted and humbled that as you were coming, my place was the first stop for you,  I thank God for giving you journey mercies to Ogun state. You and your team have seen the hospitality and passion of our journalists in Ogun State, you will really enjoy that and if I can get you right you said you were elected in Ogun State so Ogun State is your home’.

‘But one thing, the way you have spoken this evening really gives us the assurance that in unity lies strength. The more we are together the happier we shall be and so we have come off age where women can no longer be given their rightful position.

‘I can take mine for example the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture was inaugurated in 1960,  l joined the Chambers in 1982 the same year I became the Grand Matron for Ogun NUJ and we have really had a nice time’

‘Mr National President I want to thank you so much for coming here today, I thank you and your team and I know for the few days you’ll be here you will enjoy the hospitality of our people. Your coming here is very key at this time, and I know definitely you are the constant champion that all the journalists in this country must emulate’.

‘You don’t care for any ethnic maybe from the Northern or East or West we are all the same and so therefore i want to say that we should join hands with you and your exco, we should ensure that democracy stays in Nigeria, to ensure that all what we are hearing are first class news that we can rely on because behind every successful nation there is a dependable journalism’.

‘And that is why since 1982 I have accommodated them and we have been working together even when there was time I faced challenges they stood by me and I stood by them. I want to say a big thank you to every one of you and once upon a time we were having it even in the South West and all over and I can say you are welcome to our annual get together of what we tag family get together’.

‘Every year we go to the mosque we pray, we go to the church we pray then we come together. There was a time when we give awards to the best journalist in several categories. I think that one too we can resuscitate’, Lawson emphasied.

‘Mr National President and the whole team you are welcome any day, any time to Ogun state. We are known to be first in everything. I can assure you that in unity we are going to stand and nothing will happen in Ogun State and amiss. And with you standing for truth I think we don’t need to have any problems. I wish you success in every endeavor that you are going to do and we will have cause to glorify God for what he has done for us’.

I want to appreciate so many that have weather the challenges and  have laid their lives down. I want to say to Jehova God be the glory for great things in our lives. So please let us all join hands together to embrace peace and join our National President to make NUJ nulli secondus and second to none. Thank you very much’, Iyalode concluded.