Pat Stephens/
Penpushing Media founder, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, received showers of praises at a birthday party organized in his honor by the General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Apostle Lawrence Achudume.
Held at the conference hall of the church headquarters along Abeokuta-Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the ceremony was attended by several dignitaries who described Dimeji as an outstanding and reliable media practitioner.
There was a reception, after the church service on July 25, where the clergyman prayed for Dimeji and his family. He described him as a special breed loved by God.
The cleric urged him to maintain his integrity, which he said had been a factor for his relevance in the society, as well as God to have loved him dearly. He added that the sky would be the limit for him for a 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; I’ve known him for about three decades,” Achudume said.
The clergyman declared that Dimeji 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.
“Apart from the fact that I have known Dimeji for many years, I see him as forthright, disciplined, and committed to the profession of journalism. He has been an uncompromising journalist. He says it the way he sees it. I have not seen him as a corrupted person in terms of his profession and he can’t be bought over,” Achudume said. “I have watched him for many years even before he began Penpushing, and I have seen that he made Penpushing 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 former Director at National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Eddy Aina, said he had known him for over two decades and could at any time vouch for his competence in journalism practice.
The veteran journalist and member of the Editorial Board of Penpushing Media described Dimeji as a known goal-getter, adding that when he came up with the initiative of Penpushing, he was convinced that the project was going to fly in a positive direction.
He added that the proactive skill of Adedeji had continued to fetch him relevance outside the country and that his competence on the job, had earned Penpushing a global recognition in partnering with a few foreign agencies among them the United 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 in contact, and he is known for his integrity. That is why he has remained relevant,” Aina said.
The former Head of Service in Ogun State, Elder Sola Adeyemi said he knew Dimeji during the tenure of former Governor Olusegun Osoba when he was a member of the Governor’s press crew. He added that his observation about him was his proactive nature.
The General Manager of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Toyin Sogbesan said her professional relationship with Dimeji spanned over 20 years. She affirmed that she was proud to be associated with him.
“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. When I am on an assignment and don’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, described Dimeji as a colleague of over 30 years, and that Dimeji had remained a constant star in the field of journalism.
Fadairo recalled days when he worked with Dimeji at the Post Express Newspapers, and the Editors at the headquarters would be reserving the front page of newspapers to await his story, knowing fully well that he was known to always bring a story that would hit the front page.
“Dimeji is my good friend, a 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 a member of the Editorial Board, I did not hesitate to join because I know his stuff and competence,” Fadairo said.
He 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 the only journalist that former President Olusegun Obasanjo would host on his birthday as being replicated by Apostle Achudume.
The Permanent Secretary in the Special Duty Department at Ogun State Governor’s Office, Kehinde Onasanya commended the professionalism of the celebrator, who he said was his colleague as a journalist in the Governor’s office Press crew years back.
Onasanya admitted that Dimeji is a known unique journalist who always has a nose for news and would write his own news in a way that would catch the attention of readers across the globe.
Onasanya described Dimeji as a blessing to the noble profession and mentor for the younger generation, who tapped from his resourcefulness and wider experience in the journalism field.
The National President of Freelance and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Desmond Nwachukwu praised what he described as Dimeji’s good work in the field of journalism, adding that he (Nwachukwu) also tapped from his competence in the profession.
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 referring to Dimeji, who he said played a major role in the project.
In his remarks, Dimeji expressed appreciation to the sponsor of what he called a memorable birthday and thanked the guests who took time to honor him, praying that God will continue to honor them.
He told everyone that his relationship with Achudume spanned over two decades, adding that he remained amazed at how the cleric tolerated him despite his shortcomings.
He said that the story of Penpushing would be incomplete without referring to Achudume who he described as a major driving force for the growth of the organization, in terms of prayers and financial support.
Other guests at the colorful event included: 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), Dr. Ayoola Ajasa (Provost College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta), Mr. and Mrs. Ayodele Taiwo, Bukola Okunneye of Splash F.M Radio Station, Edward Ajogun, Fatai Akinbola (Registrar College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta), Bolaji Fajounbo (Assistant General Manager News and Current Affairs, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation), 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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