Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-Publisher commends coordinator, exco members for developmental efforts
THE IMPACT Newspaper, a leading community news medium in Nigeria, has bagged another award for its journalistic contributions at the grassroots level, with the conferment of honour as the Most Supportive Community Media Brand Award for 2023.
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ikorodu West Local Development Area (LCDA) branch, presented the award to the Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, Kunle Adelabu, at THE IMPACT office, Colour Party House Complex, Rep. Babajimi Benson road (formerly Igbe Road), Igbogbo, Ikorodu, on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
The award, which is an addition to other awards scooped by the media organization in 2023, was supposed to have been received at the NYCN dinner last year, but for the absence of the publisher.
In December 2023, THE IMPACT emerged as the maiden winner of the Community Media of the Year, at an award dinner by ADOSH Family initiatives.
The presentation of the award and a certificate took place at the De – Shokis Hotel, Igbogbo, on Tuesday, December 22, 2023.
In the same month, Victory Joy School, Kokoro – Abu, Ikorodu, also honoured the news medium with a Media Merit Award, in recognition of the newspaper’s distinguished professional journalism in the community and provision of generous media exposure to the schools.
The Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper, Kunle Adelabu, was also presented with an Award of Excellence and inducted into the school’s Hall of Excellence.
Meanwhile, Comrade Asoro Abubakri, Coordinator, NYCN, Ikorodu West LCDA, who presented the award in company of the youth’s organisation’s Secretary, Comrade Anthony Afolayan, said that the honour was conferred on THE IMPACT for supporting the body by propagating its activities free of charge.
“We must commend you, especially since the beginning of our administration. You have been in partnership with us at the NYCN Ikorodu West LCDA, and we have had relationship with other media partners and sincerely, you understand our activities so well”, Comrade Asoro said.
“Most people believe that when it comes to youth activities, we make money. Though, it may be like that in some instances, but in our own case, it is a voluntary service and we are not here to make money. All of us have respective sources of income.
“So, whatever we are doing, it is for humanity and to support the community.
“We appreciate the fact that you understand that so much. I don’t think that there was a time we needed you to do a report for us that you asked us to go and bring any amount. You understand that we are young people that are passionate about making differences in our community and through your media, you have consistently supported us and it is on this basis that at our National Youth Day, the entire youths of Ikorodu West LCDA agreed on the choice of THE IMPACT as the Most Supportive Media Brand of the Year’’, Asoro said while presenting the award.
Asoro, who said that his tenure will end June this year, revealed that the publisher was not informed about the award at the organisation’s dinner last year, because they wanted it to be a surprise, unfortunately, he left before the announcement.
“We wanted it to be a surprise (at the dinner last year), we did not know that you would outshine us in the surprise. We never believe that you would leave (the dinner) without notice”, he said.
“That is why today, we are here to present the award despite our tight schedule. We would have been more than this but our other colleagues are handling the tutorial classes that we are organizing for JAMB students.
“That is why myself and the Secretary have decided to come around to present you the award. This is a very small honour compare to what we have done together and our administration is winding down. This is our way of saying thank you for all that we have done together. By June 11 this year, we will be saying goodbye and usher in a new administration”, he said.
He, however, solicited for continuous partnership between THE IMPACT and the incoming NYCN administration in Ikorodu West LCDA.
“We believe that you will continue to partner with the new administration. On behalf of the entire youths of Ikorodu West under the NYCN, Ikorodu West branch present you this award’’, he said.
In his acceptance response, THE IMPACT’s Reporter – in – Chief, Kunle Adelabu thanked the leadership of the youth organization, and commended them for their impacts on the youths and the community at large.
While stating that the support and cooperation extended to Asoro and his team, is part of the duties of a media organization, Adelabu added that the NYCN Ikorodu West LCDA is deserving of the support it is getting because of the genuine and sincere efforts of its leadership.
“I want to thank the leadership and entire members of the NYCN, Ikorodu West LCDA branch, for this honour. The fact is that as a journalist and as a media organization operating at the community or grassroots level, we are mindful of our roles in the development of our community”, THE IMPACT publisher said.
“It is part of our duties and responsibilities to support groups that are also striving to bring about development. It is on that basis that THE IMPACT had and will continue to partner the NYCN Ikorodu West LCDA, more than any other.
“What this administration of NYCN under Asoro’s leadership has shown is that you are selflessly after youth development and emancipation; community development, and that you are not after personal gain or political ambition. That is why you have been going out of your way through commitment and dedication to empower youths in Ikorodu West LCDA.
“Thus, it behoves us to support you as a media organization, and not to close our eyes at your wonderful developmental efforts’’, he added.
He assured the outgoing executives of the NYCN Ikorodu West LCDA further support in the remaining months, while also recommending its Coordinator, Asoro, for higher position of responsibilities.
“I am also aware that your organization is not among those that go around to get money for their own personal gain, instead, you have been using whatever that is giving to you to develop the youths’’, Adelabu said.
“I also want you to count on us to support you in the remaining months of your administration in whatever way. We are also going to assist you in documenting the achievements of your administration.
“I commend you, Asoro, for the way you have provided leadership to the NYCN in Ikorodu West LCDA and if I have the power, I will recommend you for any position of authority and responsibility, because I know that you will deliver”, THE IMPACT publisher said.
“I also want to commend your Secretary and other executive members for supporting and cooperating with you as well as sharing your ideas and ideals together and pursuing developmental goals’’, he added.
