Oyo NUJ honours Oladeinde, Adeoye

THE banquet hall of Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan was filled to capacity. They had come from far and near to celebrate two men who were being decorated by the Oyo state chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as Outstanding Personalities of the Council.

  These men – Prince Adeniyi Oladeinde is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, S.S. Ladsom Engineering Construction Company Limited and Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye, Chairman of Oyenurax Oil and Gas company. They are like two peas in a pod in terms of benevolence towards humanity and alleviation of the suffering among the less privileged. Perhaps, it was on the basis of their similarities that the Comrade Gbenga Opadotun-led Oyo NUJ felt compelled to single out the two men for celebration and honour.

  Undoubtedly, both Oladeinde and Adeoye are wealthy individuals, but that was not the main criterion of selecting them for honour. The principal reason Oyo NUJ rolled out drums to celebrate these men, according to Opadotun, was that “both men are not only as humble as lambs despite their place in society, but they are also generous to fellow human beings”.

  Opadotun further described the duo as phenomenal philanthropists who are blessed with giving spirits. Testimonies abound that both Oladeinde and Adeoye are not solipsistic with their wealth, rather they believed God has blessed them so that they could be blessings to others.

  For Oladeinde, a renowned civil engineer from Shagamu, Ogun State, assisting people to accomplish their goals is his second nature. Ladsom does not know how to say ‘no’ on the need to help people. He said he naturally derives unquantifiable joy whenever there’s a reason to assist. He always says individual salvation in the midst of collective damnation is useless. From the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos to Ife, Ilorin, FUNNAB to Ibadan Poly among many other places, his footprints of kindness to indigent students as well as to several clubs and associations remain indelible. However, in the process of doing good, he has garnered over one hundred awards.

  On the other hand, Adeoye is not remarkably different from Ladsom in terms of benevolence to others. He willingly uses his resources to bring joy to people. At an early stage in his life, he said he had a fierce battle with poverty. The battle was so enfeebling to the extent that he could not academically proceed beyond secondary school level.  But today, it can be safely said that Alhaji Nurdeen Oyetunde Adeoye has conquered poverty.  

  Today, evidence abound that Alhaji Adeoye has not only defeated poverty in his life, but has also assisted many to eradicate poverty in their lives.  More importantly Adeoye does his own philanthropy in a less noisome manner. As if to avenge poverty, which did not allow him to have a university education, the humble Adeoye has returned to school after achieving immense financial success. He is today a student of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan; he is a special student who pays school fees of many other students in his class. 

  Judging from the rich profile of the two men, Oyo NUJ certainly made the right decision by honouring the duo of Ladsom and Adeoye with a view to encouraging other well meaning individuals. Little wonder then why the ceremony attracted a coterie of friends and a multitude of beneficiaries. Among the notable figures at the event was Prof. Festus Adesanoye of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan who danced and celebrated with Adeoye. Adesanoye, who rarely attends such night occasions, confessed that he broke his principle simply to honour Adeoye.