University of Ilorin, Department of Mass Communication on Monday presented awards of excellence to three eminent media personalities in
recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the Department.
They are Prof Adesina Lukman Azeez, the first Professor of Mass Communication in the Department; Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Chief Raheem Adedoyin; and a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication in the Institution, Dr. Mahmud Abdulraheem.
Oloriewe Adedoyin’s pick was as a result of his pro bono services at the Department, according to the organisers.
In attendance were the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu; Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Communications, Mallam Abdullateef Ibrahim; Dean, Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences, Unilorin, Prof. Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi; pioneer Dean of the faculty, Prof Omenogo Veronica Mejabi; Director, Corporate Affairs Department, University of Ilorin, Chief Kunle Akogun; and former Chairman, Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji Suleiman Yahaya.
Others were General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, Mr Yomi Adeboye; representative of the General Manager of Radio Kwara and Director of News and Current Affairs, Hajia Kuburat Mashood Mahmud; Prof Lambe Kayode Mustapha; and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Patrick Udende; among others.
Speaking at the event, Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences, Prof. Abdulbaqi, described the recognition as well deserved, given their contributions and what they have invested in the development of the Department.
She hailed Prof Azeez for playing significant roles in imparting quality education into the students.
Abdulbaqi also pointed out the roles played by Oloriewe Adedoyin and Barrister Abdulraheem as members of the White Paper Committee for the establishment of the Department some years back.
Dr. Udende, the convener, for his part, said since the birth of the Department 21 years ago, it has been growing from strength to strength, because of its solid foundation.
He noted that the Department has enjoyed invaluable contributions of the honourees and other stakeholders and called on others to emulate them.
In his remarks, DG of NOA, Mallam Onilu, congratulated the awardees on their recognition, saying they have given back to the system by impacting the lives of younger generations.
He particularly thanked the awardees for bridging gaps between what is obtainable in the classroom and practical experience in the field.
Responding, the awardees, in their separate remarks, appreciated the Department for the honour, calling it a morale booster for them to do more for humanity.