According to a Press Release e-signed by the Convener of the Commemoration, Comr Simon FAKEYE, who also is the publisher of RazorTimes Magazine, the shortlisted firms and individuals will be decorated during the second session of the program.
"The awardees are Dangote Cement (a foremost Cement manufacturing company in Africa), the renowned BUA Cement Environmentalist, Engr Tukur Mohammed Lawal, Brand & Commercial CEO, Mr Francis Awowole-Browne and the External Relations' Director, Prince Ademola Ojolowo both of Dangote Cement, Physiotherapist Olubamiro Abdul of the Ogun State Physiotherapy Department, Comr Sunday OGINNI, the State Chairman of NNPP, and Dr Oluwatosin Jiboku (TAIDOB College Proprietor) of blessed memory will be honoured for their remarkable friendship with journalists.
"The Day, established by the United Nations in its quest to facilitate ways to end Impunity for Crime against journalists all over the world, would hosts professionals especially the security operatives as well as legal experts and concerned stakeholders in a constructive discussion.
"The event is planned to hold at the NUJ Press Centre, Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Sunday, 30th October, 2022 by 2:00pm prompt
"While the program will be chaired by Asiwaju Olalekan OLAKUNLE JP, (CEO LALECK Hotels and Properties) the Honourables Commissioners for Information of both Ogun and Oyo State, Alhaji Waheed Odusile and Hon Wasiu Olatunbosun Ph.D respectively are going to be the Distinguished Guest of Honour, as well as Hon Olaolu Olabimtan (Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning), Hon Omoniyi Jagunmolu (Ogun State Commissioner for Housing), Hon Haruna Egungbohun (Lawmaker representing Ketu II State Constituency), among others.
"The theme of the Day, "2023: Safety of the Press, before, during and after", will be thoroughly discussed by the panelists who are all seasoned professionals; Brigadier General Abdullahi (Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta), CP Lanre Bankole (Ogun Commissioner of Police), Abinbola Likinyo (Ogun State Director of DSS), Cdr 'Niyi Ajibola (Commander, NSCDC Ogun State), Comdr Umar Galadunci (State FRSC Commander), Reps Tolulope Akande-Sadipe (National Assembly Lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency), Dr Samson Odedina (Administrator, & Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture), Comr 'Dolapo Junaid (Secretary Ogun State Coalition's of Civil Society Pro -Democracy Activist in Ogun State), and Comr Wale Bakare of FRESH 107.9fm as the Lead Discussant.
"In view of the caliber of profeasionals making up the panel, it's expected that, going forward, there's bound to be a rebirth of freedom of speech in Ogun State which in no doubt will create an enabling environment for Nigeria's nascent democracy to thrive as journalists have to do their job of telling the truth to power and holding government accountable", Fakeye stated.
He stated further that the Day which according to the policy of the UN is an annual event, RazorTimes would continue to facilitate the Commemoration every year as its own contribution towards an improved democratic nation.
"Since the security operatives and political Office holders must live by the rule of the game, in order to allow free press for a true democracy, we at RazorTimes will continue yearly to facilitate this discussion as our own little contribution to have a Nigeria, by extension, the entire world, where democracy via free press flourishes".
