The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Apostle Lawrence Achudume has celebrated the Founder of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji with a birthday party sponsored by the church authorities.
The ceremony took place at the conference hall of the church headquarters located along Abeokuta-Ajebo road, Abeokuta,Ogun State Capital, with number of dignitaries in attendance.
The reception took place after the church service on Sunday, July 25, 2021 with the theme,’ while the clergyman showered prayers on the celebrators and his family, adding that the veteran journalist is a special breed loved by God.
The cleric called on the celebrator to maintain his integrity, which he said has been a factor for his relevance in the society, as well as God to have loved him dearly, adding that sky is limit for him for breakthrough.
‘We are here to celebrate a friend, a foremost journalist who has remained consistent on the noble profession he loves dearly with passion. My relationship with him has gone beyond friendship level, he is part of my family having known him for about three decades’, Achudume said
The clergyman declared that, the media guru deserved to be celebrated considering his professionalism in the field of journalism, noting that he is a reference point for the younger generation in journalism practice within and outside Nigeria shore
“Apart from the fact I have known Dimeji for many years, I see him be forthright, disciplined and committed to the profession of journalism. He has been an uncompromising journalist, he says it the way he sees it. Have not seen him to be a corrupted person in terms of his profession and he can’t be bought over, Achudume stated.
“And have watched him for many years even before he began Penpushing, and I have seen that he made Penpushing to be the values he holds as regards the profession, and the sanctity, a man who holds our nation Nigeria in his heart. So I thought such a man should be honored and be celebrated”, the cleric emphasised
The former Director at National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Eddy Aina in his speech and relationship with the celebrator, said he has known him for over two decades and can at anytime vouch for his competence in journalism practice.
The veteran journalist and member of Editorial Board of Penpushing Media said, the celebrator is a known goal getter, adding that when he came up with the initiative of Penpushing, he was convinced that, the project is going to fly in positive direction.
The media guru added that, the proactive skill of Dimeji has continued to fetch him relevance outside the country, adding that, his competence on the job, had earned Penpushing a global recognition in partnering with number of foreign agencies among them Unite Nations Information Centre(UNIC)
‘Many people have talked about him on various aspects, but I must tell you that, in journalism practice, Dimeji is a lion, who is fearless and fight well against falsehood and fake news. He will report the way it is. One other thing I noticed about him is that, he keeps contact, and known for integrity and that is why he has remain relevance’, Aina said
The former Head of Service Ogun State, Elder Sola Adeyemi said he knew Dimeji during the tenure of former Governor Olusegun Osoba, when he (celebrator) was a member of the Governor’s press crew, adding that his observation about him was his proactive nature.
Adeyemi said, he took time to observe all members of press crew at that time, and was convinced that he (Dimeji) stands out, adding that, that was how he(Adeyemi) picked interest him for his competence on the noble profession.
‘I am not surprise when he started Penpushing project, I knew its going to make headway in the media industry, and thank God as at today, and within space of four years of the establishment of Penpushing, it became household name globally’, Adeyemi emphasised
The General Manager of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Toyin Sogbesan in her own remarks said her professional relationship with the celebrator spanned over twenty years, affirming that she is proud to be associated with him.
Sogbesan described the celebrator as unique in news writing, a man who eat and drink journalism, adding that from all indications, journalism runs in his blood and that he doesn’t believe in impossibility when it comes to news gathering and dissemination
“He is a restless journalist, when he wants to achieve something he will make sure he achieve it. His idea of Penpushing serves as directory to many of us. How he relates with those in powers and have good relationships with them is overwhelming“’, she said
‘Dimeji is a fearless reporter, who doesn’t believe in impossibility when it comes to news gathering and dissemination. He will write it the way it is. Infact, let me say this, when I am at an assignment and didn’t see Dimeji, I will call him on phone, asking Dimeji where are you; he will respond, I will soon be available, and in a jiffy you see him, and his presence will add glamour to the assignment. He is a proactive reporter ‘, Sogbesan added
The former Special Adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Media, YemisI Fadairo while speaking on the celebrator, affirmed that he is a colleague of over thirty years, emphasing that, the celebrator as remained a constant star in the field of journalism.
Fadairo recalled days when he worked with the celebrator at PostExpress Newspapers, the Editors at the headquarters will be reserving front page of newspapers to await his story, knowing fully well that he is known to always bring story that will hit front page.
‘Dimeji is my good friend, colleague that I don’t regret knowing, you cannot ignore him when it comes to journalism practice, when he started Penpushing Media and invited me to be member of the Editorial board, I did not hesitate to join because I know his stuff and competence’. Fadairo stated
The media guru also pointed out that Dimeji, as a person, is also a newsmaker, who moved with who is who across the globe, with solid contacts of important personalities, adding that he has remained only journalist in the world that former President Olusegun Obasanjo will be hosted for his birthday as being replicated by Apostle Achudume
The Permanent Secretary in the Special Duty Department at Ogun State Governor’s Office, Kehinde Onasanya also in his speech commended the professionalism of the celebrator, who he said was his colleague as journalist in the Governor’s office Press crew years back.
Onasanya admitted that, the celebrator is a known unique journalist who has nose for news at all time, and write his own news in a a way that will catch attention of readers across the globe.
The Permanent Secretary who is also a veteran journalist said Dimeji is a blessing for the noble profession and mentor for the younger generation, who tapped from his resourcefulness and wider experience on the journalism field
The National President of Freelance and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (FIBAN),Desmond Nwachukwu eulogied the good work of the celebrator on the field of journalism, adding that he(Nwachukwu) also tapped from his competence in the profession.
The number one broadcaster in Nigeria pointed out that one other unique aspect of the celebrator is that he is loaded with contacts that can throw one to higher level, adding that, even with that, he has never being stingy with such contacts as much as he is aware is for transformation of any of his colleagues.
The President of the broadcasters disclosed at the event that, the establishment and take off of the College of Broadcasting and the history of the institution would be incomplete without making reference to Dimeji, who he said played a major roles in the project
“Dimeji played major role in establishment of College of Broadcasting sited her in Abeokuta. The strong pillar to the establishment of College of broadcasting, Abeokuta. A man who is always willing to help with any contact at his disposal”, Nwachukwu said
The celebrator in his remarks expressed profuse appreciation to the sponsor of what he called a memorable birthday, as well to his guests who took time to honour him, praying that God will continue to honour them
He disclosed to the guests and other well wishers that, his relationship with Achudume spanned over two decades, adding that he remained amazed on how the cleric tolerates him inspite of his shortcomings.
The celebrator pointed out that story of Penpushing will be incomplete without making reference to Achudume who he described as a major driving force for the growth of the organization, in terms of prayers and financial support
The guests as the colourful event include: Eddy Aina(former Director, National Broadcasting Commission), Elder Sola Adeyemi(former Head of Service Ogun State),Ahmed Umar (Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Command) and Desmond Nwachukwu(President Freelance Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria)
Others are: Toyin Sogbesan(General Manager, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation) Yemisi Fadairo(former Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ibikunle Amosun),Kehinde Onasanya(Permanent Secretary Ogun State Civil Service, Dr Ayoola Ajasa(Provost College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta) and Mr and Mrs Ayodele Taiwo, as well as Bukola Okunneye of Splash F.M Radio station.
The list of guests also include: Edward Ajogun(Commissioner of Police Ogun State) Fatai Akinbola(Registrar College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta), and Bolaji Fajounbo(Assistant General Manager News and Current Affairs, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation)
Others are: Doyin Lasisi-Oloruntola (Head Reportorial Unit, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation) Funsho Martins(Secretary/Personal Assistant to General Overseer), Barrister Abolade(Head Protocol/Legal Adviser Victory Life Bible Church and Bolanle Adedeji of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta among others
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