No fewer than 25 personalities were presented awards of honour on Thursday, 6th November, 2025 at the 4th edition of Journalist Olawale Ogunbusola School Competition & Awards, held at National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan.
The event which is held annually gathers politicians, educationists, clergymen, media practitioners, social workers, professionals, administrators, and students with solutions to evils in the Nigerian society.
In his welcome address, the convener of the education and social project, Olawale Ogunbusola, noted that the essence of the project was to deepen competence, confidence, exposure among young generation for a competitive future and as well recognizing the positive impacts of the awarded personalities over their self- unaware impacts for more productivity and increased motivation to doing more.
Delivering his lecture, former Head of Department, Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Jacob Kehinde Ayantayo, called young learners to remain resilient, focused and determined in their respective choice of studies and careers, urging Nigerians to jettison religious biases for a united, progressive and healthy society.
The Chief Executive Director of Buff-I-Limited, Engr (Dr.) Anthony Adeniji, while speaking on the menace of fire and flood in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole, advocated for obedience of land use and building regulations.
He said that all infrastructure development should be done with climate sensitivity with procurement of fire extinguishers for homes, offices and industries to address flooding and fire incidents as the Chairman, Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande reported that in 2025 about 272cases fire hazard had occurred in the state.
Assistant Director, Medical Social Services, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Mr. Olagunju Adelayo, called for sincere mentoring, good parenting and re-introduction of moral instruction into the nation’s curriculum against widespread cult practices in elementary and secondary schools for a greater generation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the occasion, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Senator representing Oyo Central Central Senatorial District, Hon. Kunle Olatunji, commended the convener for his instincts for building the society within his scope.
The former media aide to Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who pledged massive support for the project annually, called on government, philanthropists, and other well meaning Nigerians to greatly support the project for coverage.
In their goodwill messages, former Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa State Governor and Senior Reporter with The Nigerian Tribune, Soji Ajibola and former President, National Association of Polytechnics, Comrade Benedict Adetunji, called for more creativity among newsmen for financial breakthrough and impactful legacies. They described the convener as a true leader and future builder.
Founders of Street Fishing Evangelism Outreach, Mr. Tunde and Mrs. Modupe Aofolaju, and Planning Committee of the event, Pastor Tayo Ogunbusola, advocated for true governance and societal values for a more competitively transparent future in Nigeria.
The awarded personalities included Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Son of former governor of Oyo State, Mr. Adetunji Lam-Adesina, Chairman, Oyo State Trade Union Congress, Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Ayomiku Ajibola, CAF Competition Manager & Former Director, Oyo State Sports Council, Elder Babatunde Oloyede, Reporter with News Agency of Nigeria, Adewale Owoade, Reporter with The Guardian Newspaper, Rotimi Agboluaje, Head of Traffic, Prince 89.7FM, Ibadan, Ms. Mercy Aremu Omoki., Current President, National Association of Polytechnics, Comrade Festus Oyewumi, SQI College of ICT & Robotics, Max-African Publishers, and 15 others.
The winning schools in 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Jnr. & senior) included Qiblah High School, Alshinloye, St. Loius Grammar School, Mokola (Jnr.),Outstanding Basic Academy, Amuloko, Lord’s Banner Schools, Ogungbade, Urban Day Secondary school, Jericho, respectively.
In his reaction, a prize winning student from Outstanding Academy, Amuloko, appreciated the convener of the project, noted the competition is a remarkable platform that will continue to spur him to perform academically.
Other features of the event included displays by Igwe Sam, Kdray, social contacts, question and answer sessions, among others.
