The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has accepted to serve as the Royal Father of the Day at the New Telegraph Awards Night and Dinner scheduled to hold this Friday at the Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
In the same vein, veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has confirmed his acceptance as the Chairman of the high-profile event.
The New Telegraph Awards Night and Dinner is expected to attract an array of dignitaries, including state governors, captains of industry, leaders of banking and financial institutions, top executives, public and private sector stakeholders, as well as notable sports personalities, who will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Organisers disclosed that nine state governors from across the country have already confirmed their attendance, with several award recipients expressing excitement and anticipation ahead of the ceremony.
In a formal letter conveying his selection, the Management of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company, publishers of New Telegraph, Saturday Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, said the choice of the Ooni of Ife was informed by his exemplary leadership and commitment to public good during his more than 10 years on the throne.
“Your Highness, you were chosen not only because of your position as the Paramount Ruler of one of the largest and most homogeneous nations in Nigeria, but also because of your dedication to service, excellence, reward, and integrity throughout your reign,” the letter stated.
The letter was personally delivered to the monarch by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mr. Ayodele Aminu.
Similarly, Aremo Osoba, a former Editor-in-Chief of Daily Times and Grand Patron of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, was selected in recognition of his enduring commitment to journalism and his continued engagement with the media profession even after serving as a state governor.
According to Aminu, Osoba represents a role model for journalists and professionals across sectors, having remained connected to his roots and maintained strong ties with colleagues irrespective of age or experience differences.
“He reflects the dream of every professional who rises to prominence without losing touch with his constituency and professional community,” Aminu added.
The New Telegraph Awards Night and Dinner is positioned as a flagship platform celebrating excellence, leadership, and impactful contributions across governance, business, media, and society.