The former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi has accepted the role of father of the day at the sixth anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media scheduled to hold on 25 July at new marque events centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
In his acceptance letter dated 7 July 2024 and personally signed by him, Farounbi thanked the organisation for inviting him as the father of the occasion
The media icon, who also served as Ambassador of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Republic Kingdom of Cambodia located on the Indochinese mainland of Southeast Asia, emphasised that he is quite pleased to inform the Penpushing Media that he has accepted this kind invitation
“I wish to refer to your letter of 21 June 2024, inviting me to be the Father of the Day at the Anniversary of your organization. I am quite pleased to inform you that I have accepted this kind invitation. I look forward to seeing you at the Anniversary. Please accept my best wishes and highest regards”, Farounbi wrote.
He is a member of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology; and that of Lead City University. He is also Chairman of the Governing Council of Ibadan City Polytechnic.
Farounbi was General Manager of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan; and NTA Akure; and Chairman of Oyo State Directorate of Information, Broadcasting Corporation Oyo State, Ibadan, Daily Times of Nigeria PLC, and Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation, Ibadan.
From his early days at Western Nigeria Television in Ibadan in 1968, Farounbi’s career has been a testament to innovation and leadership, and he spearheaded transformative projects that set new standards in television broadcasting, whose legacy spans decades of groundbreaking work in Nigerian broadcasting and diplomacy.
Earlier, the chairperson of the event’s planning committee, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the theme of this year’s edition is ‘National Balance-Infrastructure Capacity, Diversity as Tools for Building Blocks and Good Governance’.
She 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 Media has been robustly nurtured on the journalistic ideology of adding value to journalism worldwide, by ensuring credible sources of news around the world.
The maiden of the annual lecture was held in 2017 with the theme, ’Social Media: Building Parameters for Trust to Achieve Political and National Growth’, with former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe (now deceased), as guest lecturer.
Journalism academic icon, Prof. Idowu Sobowale was the Chairman, while Oba Olufemi Ogunleye of Akinale in Owu Kingdom (now late) was the Royal Father of the Day, while wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo and the then Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson were Mothers of the Day.
The second anniversary lecture took place on 19 July 2018 with the theme, ‘The Media and Quest for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ with the Country Director of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja as the Guest Lecturer.
The third annual lecture was held on 19 July 2019 with the theme, ‘The Nigerian State, Political Evolution, and Multi-party Democracy: Education to The Rescue’, which was handled by former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade.
The fourth edition was held on 21 July 2022 with the theme, ‘Social Media Regulation: Insecurity and Elections Accountability in Nigeria’, which was handled by West Africa Director of Ford Foundation, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye; while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi was royal father of the day; and Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was the Chairman
According to the statement, the fifth edition was held 25 July 2023, themed, ‘Burden of Inclusivity and Nigeria’s Democracy’, presented by former Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, with former Ogun State, and journalism icon, Chief Olusegun Osoba as the chairman
Penpushing, which has become a famous global news dissemination platform, got its certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission on 1 June 2017, with its corporate headquarters at Leme axis of Moshood Abiola Way, Abeokuta.
Other members of the standing committee include Sina Adefolahan (Secretary), Toyin Ogunbomehin, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, Yemisi Fadairo, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki and Hon. Remmy Hazzan
