It was an event filled with pity and emotions, when the executives of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) Oyo State Chapter gave cash support to the wives left behind by some of the departed members of the association during a public lecture organized to commemorate their National Day celebration.
The event which was held over the weekend at Yinka Ayefele Music House, Challenge Ibadan witnessed the presence of crème of the society where the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent Electoral Commission, Barr. Mutiu Agboke and Hon. Femi Adebisi JP delivered different papers.
The Chief host of the events Pastor Seun Awodele, who doubles as the chairman of the association, in his address, said the event was first in the history of the body conceptualized to celebrate and remember the departed heroes in the freelance broadcasting in Nigeria by reaching out to their various families with their widow’s mite so that they don’t feel neglected.
“These two events are first in the annals of FIBAN’s history. We had a Ramadan lecture yesterday, Thursday, 29th April and today we are having lectures to broaden our knowledge as an adage that says ‘knowledge is power’. We are also reaching out to the wives and families left behind by some of our departed heroes who are founding fathers of this noble association”, Awodele noted.
Meanwhile, Barr. Agboke, in the lecture titled ‘the role of broadcasters in political and electoral development of Nigeria’, said the electoral body recognized broadcasters as one of the major and critical stakeholders in the development of political electoral system.
“Part of the main constitutional role of a broadcaster is to objectively monitor governance, and remain consistent in preserving an objective stance in holding those involved in polity, including the electoral body (INEC) accountable to the electorate”, Agboke noted.
In another lecture, Femi Adebisi JP the Director General of Pan-af International Centre, in his paper titled ‘Broadcasters and the Culture of Peace’, commended the concern of FIBAN for peace and trust among all Nigerians especially in these times of insecurity, armed conflicts, banditry and growing divides.
“It is heartwarming that the Chairman and his executive committee is also using this occasion of FIBAN National Day to reflect on how the broadcasters can imbibe and promote the culture of peace as well as reflecting on the lives and times of its iconic founding fathers and colleagues who have gone to the world beyond”, said Adebisi.
Former Chairman and one of the respected elders of Oyo FIBAN, Alhaji Ololomi Amole, in his vote of thanks, thanked the two lecturers for taking out time to enlighten the audience with their highly resourceful papers while also commended the Seun Awodele led executives of the association for their ingenuity.
Princess Adeboye Seun, who represented her late brother, Gbenga Adeboye, in her remarks, thanked Awodele led FIBAN for deeming it fit to celebrate Adeboye whose death coincided with the date event was held, other widows of departed FIBAN members that present at the event are Mrs. Olu Atoyebi, Baba Leripa’s wife, Obafemi Akomolafe’s wife, Agbolagade Abefe’s wife and Ademola Ojo’s wife
