- President, Isiguzo leads journalists to ceremony
By Banji Ayoola
The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, CFR, will tomorrow Saturday December 21, 2019 lead the union’s National Executive members and many other journalists from across the country to Imoru, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State for the installation of one of their own, a former Deputy National President of the union, Prince Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun as the Olumoru of Imoru.
Already, Isiguzo and members of the union’s National Executive are in Akure, the state capital, from where he would lead NUJ members on the Imoru trip to solidarise with the new monarch and witness the official installation and presentation of the Staff of Office to the royal father by Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
On his entourage are NUJ Vice President, South West, Mr Cosmas Oni; Vice President North Central, Mr Wilson Bako; National Trustee, Alhaji Ali Attawa; Zonal Secretary South West, Mr Bamigbola Gbolagunte; National chairperson NAWOJ, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole; General Manager, Radio Nigeria, Benin; SA to NUJ President; Chairman, Ekiti State Council, Mr Rotimi Ojomoyela, and his Deputy, Ronke Shamo; Former Ondo State Council Chairmen, Mr Akin Owanikin and Mr James Sowole.
There were Vice Chairman Ondo State Council, Mr Akeem Gbadamosi; NAWOJ chairperson, Ondo State, Mrs Doris Olumoko; Ondo State SWAN Chairman, Mr Wahab Bankole; Director in OSRC, Mr Sunday Ajongbolo; Mrs Patience Ibeh of Adaba FM; and Mrs Blessing Oribabor among others.
The NUJ President, who had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Governor today, held a ‘historic’ congress with members of the Ondo State council of the union.
In an interview with The Radiance after the congress, Isiguzo said that Obamuwagun’s installation is a pride to the unione positions especially in that the society is now recognizing journalists as fit to hold leading sensitive positions.
He said: “I am happy that it is happening in my own time. I am going to Imoru to be part of those who would witness the official installation of our former Deputy President as traditional ruler of that community.
It speaks well about the union. It simply means that apart from writing that we can also preside over the affairs of our communities.
He excelled as Deputy President. He did well as Vice President; and now the community has found him most fit to preside over their affairs. It is a good one; and I wish him the very best as he mounts the throne of his forefathers.”
Also, chairman of the union in Ondo State, Prince Adetona Aderoboye, said: “All glory be unto the Almighty for what He has done in the life of our former Deputy President who we cherish so much. In fact it is an elevation well deserved.
He is a community leader, one who is passionate about the development of humanity particularly his immediate community. Over the years he has proved to be a reliable person; and I am very sure that his ascension to the throne of his forefathers would bring remarkable progress to Imoru land and its environment.
On behalf of the NUJ in Ondo State, we want to appreciate the Lord, we want to tell the Governor of Ondo State Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for making us proud for his approval and installation of our former Deputy President, Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun as a monarch.
This is a remarkable feat worthy of celebration, and I am telling you right from the national body to the state, to the local branches of the chapels, we are mobilising to attend that event to give one of our own an unprecedented celebration as a foremost monarch in Ondo State.
My appeal is that we should look to more of this in NUJ. Whatever we are doing, let us do it very well. The public is watching. The people are aware that we as the watchdogs of the society should realise that the society is also watching us in whatever we do.
That being the case I urge all my colleagues to do everything positive for the benefit of all as there is always a reward at the end of the day.”
Om his own, secretary of the union in Ondo State, Prince Leke Adegbite, said: “From all indications, it is obvious that Oba Obamuwagun has paid his dues in national development through the practice of Journalism.
He was here in Ondo State as chairman of NUJ, one time Vice President of NUJ in South West, and later Deputy National President and Acting President of NUJ at a time.
When you sum up all these , he has used this platform to contribute to national development. When you also look at his track record, you can call him a national figure.
There is no doubt that with his installation as Olumoru of Imoru in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, he would have taken the name of the community to world map.
His emergence would add value to that community. His emergence would add value to royalty in Ondo State because if you know him, he is always a go getter.
And he is a performer in all what he has been doing. I don’t have doubt in my mind that he would bring development, peaceful co existence and tranquility to Imoru Kingdom.”
On how the union is celebrating this feat, Adegbite said: “The day the kingmakers elected him, we did publicity free of charge for him and we also issued a press statement to celebrate him and to thank the kingmakers of his kingdom after a long battle because the contestants to the throne fought real battle to get to the position.
And for him to eventually become the king of Imoru, we find it as a thing of joy to all journalists in Ondo State under the umbrella body of NUJ. When we visited the governor recently we made mention of it that one of us would be installed as king.
All these things, you would realise that to the union, it is also sending a signal that people of high caliber are coming out of NUJ.
We are also happy that if our former Deputy President can become a king there is hope that journalists in Nigeria, in Ondo State can become the Governor, the President, they can attain any position in the state and the country.”
He said: “I just want to celebrate with our new monarch, Oba Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun the Olumoru of Imoru for this historic installation that is coming up tomorrow and we are going to be celebrating him.
We are going to be part of the ceremony and we have some unique gift that the union would present to him.
The National President of NUJ is already in town, in Ondo state on a three day working visit, and everything would dovetail to Imoru to celebrate our foremost leader.”
The Presentation and Coronation Ceremonies would hold at the Saint Paul’s Anglican Primary School Playground in Imoru as from 10.00 am.
Already, the Coronation Committee Chairman and a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engnr Funso Kupolokun, has assured that adequate arrangements had been made for the ceremonies, which are expected to attract dignitaries from all over the country.
The ceremonies would climax Obamuwagun’s election among four other contestants by Imoru’s kingmakers as the town’s new royal father and subsequent approval by the state government.
He had worked with the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, OSRC, for over 30 years in different capacities.
An author and multiple award winner, the Olumoru elect attended New Church Grammar School, Owo, in Ondo State and also studied at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Ikeja, in Lagos.
A fearless and committed crusader for press freedom, Obamuwagun is noted for canvassing adequate reward system for journalists in the country.
