All roads lead to Dapo Aderogba hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iyaganku, Ibadan where eminent personalities including a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Waheed Akintayo were honoured with different categories of Award by Pacesetter News online/magazine medium.
The award was part of the activities marking the Pacesetter News Online/magazine 2023 Anniversary Lecture and Award Ceremony held yesterday, Thursday, December 27, 2023.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman/Editor-in-chief Pace Setter News who also doubles as the Chairman NUJ Oyo State council, Comrade Ademola Babalola said the award was meant to appreciate some individuals who have used their positions and organisations to advance the cause of humanity by creating opportunities for others to thrive.
He stressed that despite Nigeria’s economic downturn and rising insecurities, these individuals and organisations defied the odds and worked tirelessly to make positive contributions to advance humanity and society as a whole.
Com. Ademola Babalola in an interview with journalists specifically lauded Hon. Waheed Akintayo popularly known as ‘Ilumoka Presenter’ and Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Information, Media, Public Affairs and ICT for giving the welfare of members of the union one of his priorities since he assumed office as Lawmaker in the 10th House of Assembly.
According to him, I must commend my amiable brother who happens to be our colleague in the media industry before he was elected into the State House of Assembly, Hon. Waheed Akintayo for his significant stride in improving the lives of his people and not forgetting his own constituent, the media. During the last Ileya festival he gave us a very big cow to celebrate the festival and equally enrolled some of our members in the free health insurance scheme he sponsored under the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme recently for the people to live a healthy life.
So, this award was given to him to appreciate him because he his representing us well and we are proud of him.” Ademola said.
Reacting to the award, Hon. Waheed Akintayo who could not hide his feelings for being recognized by his own people in the media profession, said the award would spur him to be more dedicated and committed to uplifting the society in his own little ways.
The Senator representing the Oyo South Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Barr. Sarafadeen Alli who also doubles as the special guest/chairman of the day presented the Pacesetter People’s Lawmaker award of the year to Hon. Akintayo.
Other distinguished personalities awarded alongside Hon. Akintayo were, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, chairman Oyo SUBEB, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, Chairman of Egbeda Local Government and ALGON Chairman of Oyo State, Chief Benedict Akika, Hon. Kehinde Akande, Chairman Ibadan South West Local Government, and Hon. AbdulRaman Adepoju, Chairman Ibadan North West Local govt.
Others were the Chairman/Sole Administrator Pace Setter Transport Services Limited, (Dr.) Ibraheem Oladeji (Dikko), Mrs Jumoke Aronu and Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Lekan Abiola, House of Assembly member representing Akinyele Constituency 1, PDP Chairmanship Candidates for Oluyole LG, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, Lagelu,Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru, Akinyele, Hon. Wole Akinleye, popular sports presenter, Mr Babatunde Saheed and others.
