University of Ilorin honours journalism icon, Raheem Adedoyin
The Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has bestowed and award of excellence Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, a veteran journalist and Fellow of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)
Penpushing reports that the award was presented to him on February 23, 2026, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the department as a resource leader and successful establishment of the department which a technical committee headed midwifed 21 years ago.
The ceremony which was well-attended by the management and staff of the department led by the Head, Dr. Patrick Udende who is the convener of the ceremony hosted distinguished guests who are also notable media personalities.
Penpushing further reports that among them was Mallam Isa Onilu, a veteran Nigerian Communications Strategist, Journalist, and Public Relations Expert, currently serving as the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and a Council Member of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
The others dignitaries present were Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Kunle Akogun, Director, Public Affairs, University of Ilorin; Alhaji Suleiman Yahaya, former Chairman, Ilorin East Local Government; Alhaja Rafat Abdulraheem; Hajia Kubrat Moshood Mahmud, Director, News and Current Affairs Department, Radio Kwara; Barrister Salaudeen, Herald newspapers; Mr. Femi Adedayo, General Editor, ICON newsmagazine and a host of others
Penpushing also reports that in his opening speech at the ceremony open, Dr. Patrick Udende expressed his delight to host Adedoyin, as well as the two others, and such a diverse group of experts in mass communication.
“It is a thing of joy as the Head of Department to celebrate Chief Raheem Adedoyin for his indelible imprint on the evolution of the department which continues to blaze the trail since its inception 21 years”.
Penpushing reports that in her goodwill message, the Dean, Faculty of FCIS, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi thanked the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Dr. Patrick Udende and the entire Mass Communication family for making the event a success, and equally used the opportunity to thank Mrs. A. L. Azeez who was present for gracing the occasion.
The Faculty Dean took a trip down memory lane to recount, by acknowledging that Adedoyin and other awardees invested so much into the development of the department, and particularly identified the role of Adedoyin before the birth of Mass Communication Department.
Penpushing further reports that she recalled that Adedoyin chairs the committee that was set up by the then administration of the university to bring up workable papers for the establishment of the department, while Barrister Mahmud serves a member.
The Dean of Faculty explained that the duo, together put up a policy that has now transformed into the Department of Mass Communication which is now 21 years old, and equally thanked Adedoyin adding that the department will still seek him out, because he is needed in the faculty.
“Come May 12-15th this year, we will be having our first biennial international conference of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences. The conference is going to be international in its name and in its component”.
“We have gotten so much assurances from a university in Russia for partnership, and we have penciled you down as one of our resource person and we therefore urge you indicate interest by registering to enable you present a paper, being an academic by all standards”, she said.
Penpushing also reports that Adedoyin, who is Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom in his response declared that he dedicated his award to all his students wherever they are, adding that they are just too fantastic, pointing out that lot of them are excelling in the corporate world.
The awardee reinforced this while waxing nostalgic about a scenario involving a former student who, now as a Masters Student in Europe, attended the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress in Vienna last year, pointing out that such a privilege is part of the benefits of being his student, having been open to the real media world
Penpushing reports that Adedoyin is a distinguished media icon, a public servant, a scholar, who has through the years of mentorship build bridges to connect the students for the sole objective of providing invaluable professional insights.
The awardee worked with Guardian Newspaper for several years before becoming Commissioner of Education and later Information in Kwara State, while he is now representing Nigeria and Africa on the Executive Board of International Press Institute (IPI) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Penpushing further reports that Adedoyin stands as a global ambassador of press freedom and excellence, and he is a man whose life embodies service and unwavering dedication to journalism and education, and he holds the viewpoint that there is nothing like being a journalist
“Seeing one’s work triggering public policy change provides a unique, high-level sense of accomplishment that no other job offers. Above and beyond, the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the news industry means that no two days are the same, providing constant intellectual challenges and preventing boredom”, he said.
Penpushing also reports that two others who were honored along with Adedoyin were Prof. Adesina Lukman Azeez, the first Professor of Mass Communication in the Department and a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication in the institution and seasoned broadcaster, Dr. Mahmud Abdulraheem
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