The planning committee for the sixth annual anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media, owners of penpushing.com.ng, has announced July 25, 2024 as the date scheduled for its annual event.
Chairperson of the committee Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi made this known in a statement, adding that the theme for the lecture is ‘Infrastructure as a tool for National Cohesion’
The statement disclosed that the event which is designed to be educative and contribute to social growth will take place at the auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.
Other members of the committee are Sina Adefolahan (secretary), Toyin Ogunbomehin, Gbenga Onayiga, Yemisi Fadairo, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki and Remmy Hazzan
Akiyode-Afolabi stated that the planning committee has commenced preparations for the event, and will equally continue to sensitise the public on the importance of the lecture to national cohesion.
The statement added that the committee has started reaching out to members of the Penpushing platform as well as other stakeholders to rally around towards a successful outing, expressing optimism that all will be well.
The planning committee as said in due course other arrangements for the ceremony will be made public, where identities of personalities with their specific roles to be made public.
The chairperson recalled that previous anniversary lectures are a testimonial to the relevance of Penpushing Media not only in the journalism practice across the world but also its impact on society assuring that this year’s edition will be another feat by the organization.
Akiyode-Afolabi emphasised that Penpushing has been “robustly nurtured on the journalistic ideology of adding value to journalism worldwide, by ensuring credible sources of news around the world.”
The chairperson recalled maiden edition of the annual lecture was held in 2017 with the theme “Social Media: Building Parameters for Trust to Achieve Political and National Growth” with the late Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as guest lecturer.
Prof Idowu Sobowale was the chairman, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye of Akinale in Owu Kingdom was the royal father of the day, while Bola Obasanjo wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late Iyalode of Yorubaland Chief Alaba Lawson were mothers of the day.
She stated that the second anniversary lecture took place on July 19, 2018 with the theme “The Media and Quest for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” with the country director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja as guest lecturer.
The statement added that the third annual lecture was held on July 19, 2019 with the theme “The Nigerian State, Political Evolution, And Multi-party Democracy: Education to The Rescue”. Former vice-chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education Prof Oluyemisi Obilade was guest lecturer.
Akiyode-Afolabi recalled that the fourth edition was held on July 21, 2022 with the theme “Social Media Regulation: Insecurity and Elections Accountability in Nigeria” which was handled by Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, West Africa director of Ford Foundation
The statement in the same vein said the fifth edition was held on July 25, 2023. Themed “Burden of Inclusivity and Nigeria’s Democracy”, the lecture was presented by former executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Prof Suleiman Bogoro.
Penpushing, “which has become a famous global news dissemination platform, got its certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on June 1, 2017, with its corporate headquarters located at Leme axis of Moshood Abiola Way, Abeokuta the Ogun State Capital.” Akiyode-Afolabi added.
