The Editorial Board of Penpushing Media, in collaboration with the Annual Anniversary Lecture Planning Committee, has launched the organisation’s award for outstanding mass media undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The maiden edition was held during the 7th anniversary lecture of the media outfit, owners of online newspaper and television, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The awards were conferred on the selected students from some tertiary institutions in the state, following the assessment of their proficiency in news writing.
The students drawn from Crescent University, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Harvarde College of Science and Management Studies, DS Adegbenro Polytechnic and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), participated.
Seasoned and veteran journalists, including Funke Fadugba(Chairman, Editorial Board), Gbenga Onayiga (Member, Planning Committee), and Yemisi Fadairo (Member, Editorial Board) supervised and conducted the competition.
The panel, at the end of the competition, released a list of the winners, with Fawaz Adebisi of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) emerging the overall winner while Muhson Ashimi of Crescent University came second, and Olaitan Boluwatife Victoria of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) took the 3rd position.
At the well-attended ceremony, which was witnessed by dignitaries, the winners went home with certificates, cash gifts, and journalism books, to support their academic performances and pursuits.
The presentation of the awards to the winners was done by Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Founder, Human Capital Africa, who was the keynote speaker at the anniversary lecture, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Chairperson Planning Committee), Sir Eddy Aina (member editorial board) and Elder Sola Adeyemi, (former Head of Service, Ogun State).
The award initiative was jointly approved by the Editorial Board and the Planning Committee at a meeting ahead of the 7th anniversary lecture, and is aimed at encouraging upcoming media practitioners.
The Editorial Board includes Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (Founder), Funke Fadugba (Chairman), Eddy Aina, Barrister Benjamin Ogunmodede, Yemisi Fadairo, and Femi Shodunke.
The Planning Committee includes Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Chairperson), Sina Adefolahan (Secretary), Seun Sodiya, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, Hon. Remmy Hazzan, Toyin Ogunbomehin, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki, and Yemisi Fadairo, who represents the Editorial Board.
The founder earlier, in his welcome address, explained that Penpushing Media, as part of its policy to contribute to the growth of the media profession, has trained over 80 mass communication undergraduates from various tertiary institutions.
Kayode-Adedeji said, in addition to the developmental growth of the undergraduates, the media organisation has equally instituted an annual award honour for the best graduating Mass Communication students in the higher institutions.
