History was made in Abeokuta on Wednesday as the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) hosted a rare and prestigious sendforth ceremony for former Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, and ex-OGTV General Manager, Mr. Tunde Kassim, drawing prominent personalities from across Nigeria’s media and public service sectors.
The memorable event, held at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, attracted an array of eminent personalities from across the media, public service, labour movement and political circles, stressing the significance of the occasion and the lasting impact of the honourees.
In a major highlight of the ceremony, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, widely celebrated as the first journalist to rise to the prestigious position of Head of Service in Ogun State, was formally decorated as a Fellow of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (FNUJ) in recognition of his immense contributions to journalism, public administration and humanity.
The National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, personally travelled from Abuja to attend the event, a development many participants described as a testament to the exceptional stature of the two honourees and the uniqueness of the ceremony organized by the Wale Olanrewaju-led Ogun NUJ administration.
The union, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, described the event as more than a retirement celebration, noting that it represented a tribute to excellence, dedication, integrity, professionalism and selfless service to the journalism profession and society.
According to the statement, the event also enjoyed the support of the union’s Patroness, Chief Mrs. Mojisola Oni-Quadri, the Gbegbaje of Egbaland and Chief Executive Officer of ONI Electronics, who extended gestures of goodwill and support to both Mr. Onasanya and Mr. Kassim.
The gathering witnessed the presence of the Ogun State Body of Permanent Secretaries, labour leaders, media executives, veteran journalists, NUJ leaders from Lagos and Oyo states, members of the League of Veterans, as well as several distinguished personalities within and outside Ogun State.
Premier World News at the event described the sendforth as one of the most symbolic and memorable ceremonies ever organized by the Ogun NUJ, especially considering the calibre of personalities celebrated and the historic achievements associated with their careers.
Mr. Onasanya’s elevation from journalism into the pinnacle of the Ogun State civil service structure was repeatedly referenced during the event as a major inspiration to younger journalists and public servants, while Mr. Kassim was commended for his enduring contributions to broadcasting and mentorship within the media industry.
The atmosphere at the ceremony was filled with emotion, tributes, recollections and appreciation as colleagues, associates and admirers celebrated the enduring legacies of the two distinguished veterans.
Premier World News reports that the ceremony further reinforced the growing culture of honouring excellence and preserving institutional memory within the journalism profession in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
