By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council will on Wednesday, July 21 launch its novel Journalists Estate located at Alapako village on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The ground breaking event will be climaxed with a N100million launch with one of the Union’s Patrons, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort as Chief Launcher, while a US-based Tax Consultant, Dr Oludare Akande would be the Co-launcher.
The event holds at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Press Centre Iyaganku Ibadan by 11am.
Some of the eminent Nigerians being expected to grace the project’s launch are His Excellency, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde, the Governor of the State; his deputy, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; the Agba-Oye of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Karim who will Chair the occasion; the Father of the Day, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja; another ex-Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala will be the special guest of honour while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji will be the Royal Father of the Day.
Others being expected are the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola; three serving Senators in the State, Teslim Kolawole Folarin; Abdulfatai Buhari and Kola Balogun including members of the House of Representatives; Hon. Shina Peller, Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide; Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi; Hon. Adigun Abass Agboworin; the National Chairman, PTD of NUPENG, Chief Salimon Oladiti; Engr. Joseph Tegbe; Dr. Olusola Ayandele; Senator Soji Akanbi; Chief Bayo Adelabu; Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; Barr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Barr Yusuf Ali, SAN; Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli; Chief Adegboyega Adegoke; Dr. Yinka Ayefele, MON; Mr. Zacch Adedeji; and Chairman/CEO Beedel Constructions, Mr. Bukola Odeleye, among others.
Tagged Legacy Project of Ademola Babalola-led NUJ leadership in the State, the Journalists Estate was conceptualised to host housing estates, recreational facilities, schools, health Centre, police station, hospitality havens and a host of others.
The event will also witness the NUJ 2021 Public Lecture titled: Nigerian Journalists and the Search for National Unity. It will be delivered by the Editor, THISDAY Newspaper who doubles as the Vice President, West of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE).
The surveying and other master plan of the 30-acre land was done in a way to accommodate both the Journalists and friend’s of the media, including politicians, captains of industries, professionals and a host of others to erect structures of their choice. The road networks within the sprawling Estate would be named after Governor Makinde; and three former Governors, Ladoja, Alao-Akala and late Abiola Ajimobi.
Others to be immortalised with street naming are the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Olubadan, Oba Adetunji; Engr. Dotun Sanusi; Dr. Dare Akande, Chief Kola Karim; Chief Bayo Akande, Dr. Yinka Ayefele; some Patrons and benefactors of NUJ; the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo; including late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, among others.
