altThe leadership of NewsRay Communications Ventures, publishers of NewsRay Magazine, has been commended for its foresight towards recognizing deserving Nigerians for their contributions to national development.

Former Majority Leader in the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tunde Akogun, OFR, mni, gave this commendation on Tuesday, 11 June, 2013, as Chairman of the occasion at the 5th edition of the NewsRay Public Lecture/Leadership Award programme, which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Akogun observed that if other individuals, institutions and government can also research into the lives and contributions of hardworking Nigerians, find them worthy and go ahead to recognize their achievements in the society, it may be all that the nation needs to proffer lasting solutions to the multi-dimensional problems militating against the nation.

His words: “NewsRay Magazine has put together this memorable event to honour these select few, for their record of merit, integrity and commitment to excellence in their various fields of endeavour, which has exemplified them as achievers for actively contributing to the growth as well as development of the various sectors, where they found themselves.”

With the adage, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” the former Majority Leader of the hallowed Green Chamber, charged recipients of the awards to see their recognition by NewsRay Communications as a wake-up call to do more in their various areas of ialtnvolvement towards the growth and development of the Nigerian society.

“Let this appreciation of your contributions to national development therefore spur you on to higher achievements, with the knowledge that Nigerians are watching, appreciating and looking up to you as role models in providing the needed leadership, which engenders good followership, leading to the entrenchment of those qualities that would speed up the transformation of the Nigerian society through our collective right doing;” he said.

Expressing optimism that the event provides a platform for greater responsibilities with the understanding that hard-work, honesty, integrity, selfless service, good behaviour and assisting others towards self-determination, as well as community development pay in Nigeria, Akogun said he had no doubt that the nation will soon witness an impressive growth within a short span of time.

He therefore charged participants to imbibe principles that can transform Nigeria into a country of our dreams, with our collective determined efforts, where true democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, social justice, peace, unity, development, quest foralt excellence, appreciation for hard-work, as well as good deeds reign supreme.

On the intellectual side of the event, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, delivered a Keynote Address on the topic: “Rethinking the Transformation Agenda from the Cultural Perspective: The Imperative for the Media,” that held the audience spell-bond; just as the National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Shaibu Usman Leman and former Editor, The Guardian on Sunday, Jahman Anikulapo, also delivered paper

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Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs