The Governing Council of British American University (BAU International), Florida, United States, has awarded the chief executive of The Radiance Online Newspaper, Mr Banji Ayoola a honourary doctorate degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD Causa) in Creative Writing and Journalism.
This was conveyed to him in a letter with reference number BAU/HON./ACA/018/007 and signed by the University’s Africa President/Chancellor in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, Prof. Mohammed Omolaja.
The letter read partly: “You have been awarded a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD Honoris Causa) in Creative Writing and Journalism.
…For this honor, we expect you to reciprocate by being a good ambassador of the University at all times and in all places.
On behalf of the Management and Governing Council of the University, please accept my hearty congratulations.”
Responding, Ayoola thanked the University for the honour. He said: “Deeply from within me, I thank the British American Universityfor this kind honour, which would encourage me to do better in my striving to be a better human being, using the human words to make my humble contribution to the ongoing rebuilding of the earth into a haven of peace for all its inhabitants.
I am passionate about spreading honey joyfully across frontiers, to build bridges of love linking all human beings everywhere on earth, irrespective of all artificial divisions, race, colour, religion, social bracket or whatever, into a single family, united in the volition to make the earth a better place, where we will all live together in true joy, harmony and peace, in bliss.”
This passion, he said, informed the Mission of the gradually developing The Radiance, which he described as “an independent and influential online newspaper, that is out to be the preference of all discerning newspaper readers who care for quality, objectivity, fairness, accuracy, balance and truth.”
He spoke further of the newspaper’s Mission as follows: “We pledge to seriously report all issues of public interest refreshingly and truthfully as we observe the golden ethics of Journalism. We will always strive to be impartial in our endeavours to disseminate news and information that would educate, inform and entertain our esteemed readers.
We are convinced that we would not, for whatever reasons, consciously harm our fellow men, either in thoughts, words or deeds, in the pursuit of our personal wishes or desires. Hence, we will strive to be accurate, fair, objective, balanced and truthful in all our reports.
The Radiance will offer a liberal platform for reporting, presentation and discussion of facts, events, issues and ideas, as well as be a frontline promoter of the cherished tenets of our noble profession.
In an up-building manner, we would give prominent attention to the coverage of public and private sector activities at all levels; and report local, national and international issues and events dispassionately without recourse to racial, ethnic or religious sentiments.
We would work vigorously to direct the attention of the peoples of our great Country, Nigeria, either in or outside government, or in the diaspora, away from those base values which had caged, tortured and tormented us, and retarded our progress as a nation statefor several years, to ennobling aspirations and development initiatives that are worthy of true human beings. We would stimulate in our peoples genuine yearnings for only that which is positive and good, as their only guarantee for true happiness, security and peace.
We would vigorously promote industry and enterprise, as we dedicate ourselves to running stories that would galvanise the talents, energies and fabulous resources that abound in our peoples and land for productive and up-building economic activities.
We would heal wounds, mend broken bridges, build new ones, and promote peace and harmony among our peoples, between them and their neighbours and other peoples elsewhere on earth. We will vigorously defend, protect and promote that which is good.
Gladly, we will join hands with individuals and bodies here at home and abroad, who share our vision of rebuilding Nigeria, and indeed the entire world into a haven of peace.
Nevertheless, we owe no allegiance to any political party, government, group or body, persons or individuals, anywhere in and outside our country. We simply live to serve.
An unrepentant advocate of true love, understanding and peace, indeed of a new up-building, The Radiance would encourage our peoples, as well as the entire mankind, to cast our gaze upwards to the heights, as we strive to stand in duty as a radiance of the Truth.”
Ayoola, who started his Journalism career in The Guardian, serving as the paper’s Police Affairs Reporter and Ondo State Correspondent between 1989 and 1999, moved over to The Comet and served in the latter capacity and Deputy News Editor. He worked as the Editor of The Hope, a newspaper published by the Ondo State Government, until March 2018, when he bowed out to run The Radiance.
