The renowned business magnate and community leader, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun, has implored media professionals to always ensure their reports are evidence-based.
Chief Egungbohun stated this while receiving the honour bestowed on him during the 2024 Press Week of the NUJ Osun State Council, held at the Council’s Press Centre, Osogbo, Osun State.
He acknowledged the indispensable statutory role of journalists in nation-building, adding that investigative journalism remains the bedrock of every functional democracy.
“I am aware that without a free press and freedom of speech, no nation can thrive; however, every report, especially those that involve name-calling, must be absolutely evidence-based.
“As a longtime friend of journalists in Nigeria and around the globe, I will continue to support the media in my limited capacity in the ultimate bid to ensure a functioning Nigeria.
“I congratulate the Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, his executive members, and all journalists in the Osun State Council on this year’s Press Week. I assure you that this award will only motivate me to put more effort into advocating for peace and border sanity.
Earlier, the Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, in his opening remarks, enumerated the background and criteria for the honour, stating that Chief Egungbohun, being one of the seven shortlisted honourees, had been subjected to rigorous and diligent investigations.
He said, “The NUJ will not commit the blunder of giving recognition to anyone who does not distinctly pass the test of integrity and patriotism. The Screening Committee submitted that Chief Dende Egungbohun has carved a niche for himself through several interventions aimed at entrenching sanity in the border areas around the axis.
“Based on our experience and findings, we found Chief Egungbohun, alias IBD Dende, to be a harbinger of culture and the rich traditions of his people, with a rare sense of patriotism. He conducts his legitimate business as a Border Community Stakeholder and Licensed Freight Clearing and Forwarding Agent with utmost integrity.
“Chief Egungbohun, through our discreet investigation, has worked closely with the highest echelons of the Nigerian Customs and the Presidency to entrench sanity in the border areas of Ogun State and in the battle against smuggling and other nefarious activities at the border.
“As a revered Community Leader, the proud title holder of Olu-Omo of Yewaland, he remains a rallying point for his people in economic empowerment and youth engagement towards peaceful co-existence and harmony in Yewaland. A practical example of this is his appointment to a 20-member Peace-Building Committee on Herder-Farmer Conflicts by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and marauding herders in the agrarian communities of Yewaland.
“Hence, it is our honour at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, to decorate the man of Integrity and Patriotism, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, the Olu-Omo of Yewaland, as an Advocate of Peace and Border Sanity,” the Chairman stated.
Other awardees included Dr Adeleke Adeniyi Morenikeji (an accomplished finance manager and consumer banker), Dr Comrade Ogungbangbe Nathaniel Kehinde (NULGE President, Osun State), Honourable Adedipo Sunday Eluwole (Commissioner for Education, Osun State), General Bashir Adewinbi (Former Cmd, Osun State Amotekun Corps), Bishop Felix Owolabi (Presiding Bishop of Faith Triumph Ministries Int’l), and CSP Folashade Odoro (Osun State Police Command).
The Council also offered Professional Awards to its exceptional members: Best Information Officer of the Year, Best Investigative Reporter of the Year, Best Newscaster (Radio) of the Year, Best Newscaster (TV) of the Year, Best Reporter (Print) of the Year, Best Reporter (Electronic) of the Year, Best Broadcast Station of the Year, and the Chairman’s Award.
Distinguished guests at the event included His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Hon Kolapo Alimi; the Royal Father of the Day, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama (CON); Prof Clement Adegboye, Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Osogbo (Chairman of the Day); Deputy President, NUJ B Zone, Princess Ronke Samo; and NUJ South West Chairmen and Secretaries.
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