Eight Nigerian veteran broadcasters honoured

Eight veteran broadcast journalists have been honoured for their contribution to Nigerian journalism.

The journalists were honoured by Rockcity FM, a private radio station in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

The awardees include Olusesan Ekisola, Anike Agbaje-Williams, Jones Usen, Willy Thomas, Femi Sowoolu, Ohi Alegbe, Benson Idonijie and Danladi Bako.

The beneficiaries, who led the Nigerian airwaves for several years in the past were bestowed with Rockcity Golden Voices Awards.

The ceremony, which held at the Daktad Hotels in Abeokuta on October 10, was attended by public officials, journalists, and others. The awardees were earlier featured on the station’s live programme to exhibit the skills they were known for and which brought them to limelight.

The Chief Executive Officer and founder of the radio station, Niran Malaolu, in his welcome address, said the award was initiated to appreciate the contributions of the awardees to the positive growth of broadcasting in the country.

He assured that the award would be an annual event meant to appreciate the good works of veteran broadcasters in Nigeria.

In his speech, Olusesan Ekisola expressed joy for being recognised. He commended the radio station for the initiative, which he said was the first of its kind in Nigeria to be organised by any radio station.

He said the ceremony would remain a reference point and the award would be “a big monumental in my family and in my life for a very long time.”

Mr. Ekisola, who flew in from U.S. for the ceremony, dedicated his award to Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of the first private radio station in Nigeria; where he (Ekisola) served as the pioneer General Manager.

Another beneficiary, Anike Agbaje-Williams, was full of praise to God for being alive to receive the award.

Ms. Agbaje-Williams thanked the management of Rockcity F.M Radio station for the honour bestowed on her.

In his remark, Jones Usen thanked the organisers and said he would appreciate his family to put the award in his casket whenever he dies.