The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has promised the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to prepare a propitious atmosphere for press freedom and establishment of a culture of constructive engagements with media practitioners in the state.
Mrs Afuye, who described Oyebanji as a democrat and consummate politician cum administrator, said the government will rather partner journalists to fast track development, than taking actions that could muzzle or gag them from performing their statutory duties.
The Deputy Governor made the promise in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, while receiving a ‘Rainbow Hall of Fame Awards’ from the management of ‘Rainbow Magazine’, a Lagos Based Magazine, as an outstanding visionary female politician of the year and Rainbow Woman of the Year.
Mrs Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, was also inducted by Rainbow Magazine management into Rainbow ‘Hall of Fame’, a prestigious annual honour, that had been bestowed on illustrious Nigerians like: Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), a Juju Maestro, King Sunny Ade, a business guru, Jackie Adunni Kassim, among others.
Dedicating the Award to Governor Oyebanji and her admirers all over the state, the Deputy Governor, described media profession as strategic to national development, calling on those at the helms of affairs to give them the required cooperation and space to operate.
Speaking about the significance of the honour, Mrs Afuye stated that the award would further imbue her with patriotic spirit to rededicate herself to serve humanity and pursue the development of Ekiti and Nigeria in all facets.
She appreciated the management of the media outfit for counting her worthy of being honoured among other priceless female politicians that dotted Nigeria political space.
Rationalizing the fact that the Deputy Governor was deserved of the award, the Rainbow Magazine Publisher/Founder, Hall of Fame Award, Mr. Niyi Johnson Omogbenigun, disclosed that Mrs Afuye grassroots’ connection and commitment to gender equality have resonated across the nation.
Omogbenigun, who revealed that the award commenced 10 years ago, praised the Deputy Governor for her solid backing and loyalty to the governor to accelerate the pace of development across all the facets of the economy, thereby earning Ekiti more respect and reputation.
The Publisher saluted Mrs Afuye’s ingenuity and intelligence in the handling of land and chieftaincy issues as well as disaster management prowess, thereby restoring peace in the communities and bolstered the confidence reposed in Oyebanji’s leadership.
Present at the brief award presentation ceremony were: The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Victor Adeniyi, Personal Assistant/Special Assistant on Special Duties, Prince Akinboye Adegboye, Directors in the office, among others.