Last week, Union of Campus Journalists(UCJ) University of Ibadan, honoured five reputable personalities in its Famous Five Awards 2019.
The event which held at the Large Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, celebrated personalities who have shown remarkable achievements in different fields of life.
The convener of the event, Mr. Owoyokun Dolapo in his welcome address mentioned that the “Famous Five Awards is a result of a group of young people joining hands together and asking themselves: if we, the youth, don’t take care of ourselves, who will?”
He also added that the awardees are “those people who have excelled in various spheres of their lives in the midst of personal and societal challenges,” as he charged the students to learn from their achievements. He then appreciated the awardees. “To the awardees, I’d like to appreciate you for helping us use your life stories to contribute to the development of the Nigeria’s future—the youth.”
The honourees of the awards were Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, Special Assistant to Oyo state Governor on Youth and Sports (Youth Personality of the year), Engineer Dotun Sanusi (Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year), Dr. Yinka Ayefele (Entertainment Personality of the Year), Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, First lady of Ondo state (Humanitarian Personality of the Year), and Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN (Education Personality of the Year).
Also, the Famous Five Awards event featured a sub-category of awards, tagged MANAGEMENT TWO Awards, cutting across the Faculty and Hall management, and given to members of the University Management who have excelled in their different administrative capacities and by that way contributed immensely to the development of the University of Ibadan student community. Recipients of these Awards were Dr. Femi Adebiyi, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall Warden, (Hall Management Award) and Professor Kola Ogedengbe, Former Dean of Technology, (Faculty Management Award).
While appreciating UCJ UI for honouring them with the distinguished awards, the awardees, in their speeches, advised the students to become better individuals who would contribute to the growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose in her remarks charged the students to be who they are. She cautioned them on taking irrational choices. “The choices you make in life may make or mar you,” she stated. She also added that the students should desist from envying anybody in their quest to become successful in life. She charged them to believe in their identity. “You should believe in who you are. You are YOU.”
Narrating her personal experience, she cajoled the students to take good decisions and not be influenced by negative peer influence. “If you are supposed to take a decision at a particular time, it will affect you all the way,” she said. “Don’t look at any other person.” “You will get there.” “All those you are trying to copy will not be there.”
Furthermore, Mr. Kazeem Bolarinwa, in his remarks charged the youths to see themselves as the agents responsible for sustaining the existence of the nation. He encouraged them to be actively involved in the nation’s affairs, and not to behave like the aged-politicians in government who “prefers to be glued to the seat of power.” He told the youth “to speak the truth and try not to be corrupt.”
“The nation is bad today not because of the violence of the bad people but for the silence of the good people,” he remarked.
He also expressed his displeasure to youth who do not add value in their dealings and are not assertive. “The problem I have with the youth of this country is when they don’t have value.”
“I just notice that it is only the minority of the majority youth that speak with authority.” He added.
He further said that the youth should not emulate politicians who are intellectually hollow and criminally minded. He advised them to learn vigorously and rigorously. “You’ll become a compendium of knowledge if you learn from anyone, anywhere,” he mentioned.
Also, he charged the youths to create value for themselves as it would make them productive. “The worst asset you can possess is no value which means if you have value, you will make it in life.” He said.
Furthermore, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, represented by Mr. Henry Adegbemile, Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Special Duties, in her remarks told the students to see themselves as integral part of the success of UCJ UI. “See yourself today as being part of this organization not for personal aggrandizement but for the purpose of letting the truth to the whole world.” She, however, advised that the awards given to personalities should be on merit and not for financial benefits. “Let people know that when UCJUI gives awards to people, they know the merit it.”
The two recipients of the management awards in their brief remarks also hammered on the fact that the students should be focus in their respective endeavours. Prof. Kola Ogedengbe who was represented by Engineer Bamise Ogedengbe, said to the students that, “in life you need to have focus.” He also encouraged the youth to develop their vision, and not to use the nation’s story as an excuse for their stagnancy. “It looks as if the economy is not friendly but people are still making millions of money.” “As Nigeria is going now, not everyone will have a white collar job.” “This is the best time for you to align yourself in whatever you do.” “With determination, with focus, with prayer, you will get there.” He added.
In a similar manner, Dr. Femi Adebiyi encouraged the students to have focus on their careers and that they should try to overcome whatever barrier they face in their quest for excellence. “Everything is possible, only believe in yourself.” “You believe in yourself and must be disciplined and focused.” He stated.
Meanwhile the pioneer president of UCJUI and of the National UCJ UI Alumni Association, Dr. Bayo Ajala, in his remarks as the chairman of the occasion, appreciated the awardees as well as UCJUI for hosting such a glamorous event. He also expressed optimism in the continuous existence and success of UCJUI.
He advised the students to make value out of themselves, and also to be passionate for success. “We’ve got to change values.” “Follow your passion, follow your path.” He also advised the elected Students Union executives to be responsible in their dealings with the university management and that “it must be Union with responsibility.”
