Ondo NUJ press week features Aiyedatiwa, Tunji-Ojo, others 

Arrangements have been concluded for take off of the 2025 Press Week PEN-GANZA celebrations of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with a line-up of activities aimed at promoting wellness, professional excellence and stronger stakeholders engagements.

The week-long celebrations will kick off on Sunday, December 14th, 2025, with a Church Thanksgiving at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi Area, Akure.

According to a press release jointly signed by the Chairman of the 2025 Press Week Committee, Banjo Egunjobi and the Secretary, Jacob Akintunde, activities will continue on Monda,y 15th December, with a free medical outreach for journalists, veteran journalists and their spouses at Press Centre Clinic, while Press Week Charity Visitation to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure.

The free medical outreach, which will be carried out in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will feature health talks, fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations, all aimed at improving the well-being of journalists in the state.

According to the statement, the Opening Ceremony/Symposium/Public Lecture will hold on Tuesday 16th December at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka Akure and the Special Guests are; Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande; the DG, ITF, Afiz Ogun; the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku;  while Isaacs Kekemeke will chair the occasion.

The Lead Speakers are: the Ondo State Representative in the Board of the South West Development Commission, Jide Adewinle; the Immediate Past Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Biyi Poroye and an APC strong chieftain, Jamiu Ekungba.

The Chief Host is the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya while Leke Adegbite, the Ondo State NUJ Chairman, is the Host of the event.

The 2025 Ondo Press Week Theme is; “Innovative Pathways for Journalists Amidst Economic, Security and Political Challenges”.

Other lined-up activities include; Health Walk/Great Trek and Love Feast on Wednesday 17th December; Novelty Match/Inter-Chapel Football final, and Illegal/Asun Night will hold on Thursday 18th December, at the Press Centre and will be powered by the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Kayode Ajulo, SAN.

Jumat Service will hold on Friday 19th December at the Government House Mosque, Alagbaka Akure, while the Press Week Children’s Party holds the same day at Press Centre and the Ondo State First Lady, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa will be the Mother of the day, while the State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye is the special guest of honour.

On Saturday 20th, there will be a final matches of Indoor Games that is being sponsored by the NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and the Press Week will climax on Sunday, 21st December, with a Grand Finale; Pen-Ganza and Award Nite at the Press Centre.

Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Fasoranti; the Special  Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Union Matters, Bola Taiwo; members of the State Executive Council; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, and the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Ademola Olapade among other top distinguished Nigerians.

Those to be honoured during PEN-GANZA & Award Nite are; the Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy affairs, Amidu Takuro; Adenike Oladiji, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA); a Global Security Expert, Olufemi Meshe; the Permanent Secretary of Ondo State Government House and Protocols, Mudashiru Adegbeha; as well as a businessman, Olugbenga Olayinka.

Other award recipients are; a businessman and philanthropist, Yomi Akingbade; the Director of Media at NARSDA and Media Expert, Felix Ale; the Director General of the Ondo State, Abiodun Oyeneyin; as well as Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju representing Ondo West constituency 1 and Parliamentary Secretary of the State House of Assembly.

The NUJ leadership says the 2025 Press Week will provide an opportunity for journalists to reflect, celebrate excellence, build professional networks, and strengthen their health and capacity for service.

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