‘Baba Ijebu’ founder, Kessington Adebutu decries poor media funding, bags NIJ fellowship award [Video/Photos]
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) on Thursday conferred a fellowship award on philanthropist and business mogul, Sir Kessington Adebutu (popularly called Baba Ijebu).
Speaking during the institute’s special convocation and conferment ceremony which held in Lagos, the philanthropist decried a lack of budgetary allocation for the fourth estate of the realm, the media.
The ceremony covered by Newsclickng.com was part of the celebration of the institution’s golden jubilee.
Adebutu noted that three other estates – the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary – get allocation, but the media does not get anything from government’s budgetary allocation.
This, the business mogul said, makes it imperative to support the media.
Adebutu said: “The press needs the support of all of us. As the fourth estate of the realm, the press seems to be on its own.
“The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary get allocations, but the press gets nothing from budgetary allocations. The press must be supported to truly be the watchdog that the masses can lean on.”
The business mogul however pledged his support for the media and urged others to do the same.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described Adebutu as an exemplary personality who has dedicated his wealth to promoting humanity.
“There is no honour too big to be bestowed on Sir Adebutu. He has been an enviable personality in our society for decades. He deserves the honour being conferred on him. He is one person who has dedicated his wealth to promote worthy and good causes in the society.
“I am also happy for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism because it has proven to be efficient in shaping and directing the journalism profession in Nigeria. NIJ is also influential in ensuring the freedom of speech and the fundamental human rights of Nigerians,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu sought the support of Nigerians for the media to keep fulfiling its mandate.
Chairman of NIJ’s Governing Council, Chief Olusegun Osoba, hailed Sir Adebutu for his philanthropy and immense contributions to education.
“The award we are giving him today is recognised by the International Press Institute (IPI), which comprises editors, publishers and who is who in the media worldwide. What that means is that what we are doing is recognised globally.
“The award is in recognition of his contributions and support for education. There are many people who are richer than him but who are not as generous and supportive of education and other causes, like him,” he said.
NIJ Provost Gbenga Adefaye said the institution honoured Adebutu for impacting humanity with his wealth.
“NIJ is a public trust that requires continuous support from the public and private organisations and well-meaning individuals to assist her fulfill the mandate of training the apostles and foot soldiers of the critical drivers of democracy and sustainers of good governance – the media industry,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by top media chiefs from the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.
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