Honour for a senator by journalists

HISTORY was made in Ibadan recently when the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, bestowed a great honour on Ayoade Ademola Adeseun, the Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, as the “Senator of the Year 2014” at a grand ceremony.

   Adeseun arrived at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Venue of the event, at about 4.30pm, to receive the award, dressed in a striped, blue track suit and a matching blue face cap, looking strong, radiant, youthful and athletic.  He displayed no air of affluence, power or authority. But, he was surrounded by a coterie of tough-looking security personnel.

   Immediately he disembarked from his high-velocity SUV car, Adeseun was taken by the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun on a guided tour of the NUJ premises showing off several impressive projects executed by the Opadotun team.  Adeseun was highly delighted and impressed with the completed and on-going projects.  He poured encomiums on Opadotun’s “positive and progressive leadership style”.

    Speaking to a house full of journalists, well-wishers and associates, Comrade Opadotun said the NUJ, Oyo State Council, deemed it fit to honour Ayoade Adeseun, popularly known as Ayo Solar, with the prestigious award of senator of the year 2014 after thorough research and wide consultation.  The NUJ chairman disclosed that the union was convinced that Adeseun deserved the award because of his “hard work, commitment, kindness, generosity and selfless service to humanity”, adding that “Senator Adeseun has put smiles on the faces of widows, orphans, youths and the aged through financial empowerment, scholarships, bursary awards community development projects like health centres, schools, roads, solar-powered boreholes and distribution of free cars and motor cycles”.

   In his own contribution, former NUJ Chairman, Oyo State Council, Victor Oluwadamilare expressed joy at the well-deserved honour bestowed on Senator Adeseun. Oluwadamilare who said he had always been opposed to “awards”, however, confessed that he decided to identify with this particular award because the recipient, Senator Adeseun, is “a worthy leader” who deserves to be honoured.

    During the question and answer session, another reporter who described himself as an admirer observed that Adeseun has never lost any election in his political career.

   While receiving the award, a visibly delighted Adeseun said even though he had been honoured with several awards in the past, he confessed that the NUJ Award meant a lot to him because “journalism is the Fourth Estate of the Realm and journalists are the conscience of the Nation”. He warned politicians not to underrate the power of the pen.

   Senator Adeseun used the opportunity to seek support for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Teslim Folarin in the forthcoming presidential and governorship elections.  He also reminded his teeming supporters in the Oyo Central Senatorial District that his ambition is to be voted back into the Senate.

   Adeseun pledged his financial support for the NUJ, Oyo State Council, to complete some of its on-going projects.

Senator Ayoade Ademola Adeseun, born on August 1, 1952, has an extremely amiable character.  He exudes effusive charm and warm camaraderie.  Ayo Solar is at home with princess and paupers.  He has a natural empathy for the less-privileged, the aged, widows, orphans and the poor.  Adeseun is simple, always relaxed, quick witted, and highly intelligent and informed.  Above all, he is a good listener.

    Adeseun is a deeply committed and experienced grassroots politician.  He schooled in Nigeria and the USA and began his political career as an elected Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government in 1996.  He was reelected for a second term.  He won election into the House of Representatives in 2003 and was reelected in 2007. 

   In April 2011, Adeseun won election into the Senate to represent the Oyo Central Senatorial District.  He served as Chairman, Senate committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.  He is currently Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market.

   Senator Ayo Adeseun has received several awards and laurels because of his impressive representation and deliverance of dividends of democracy to his constituency.  He believes that elected representatives of the people must always identify and empathize with, represent and truly minister unto their constituents.

   Adeseun has really distinguished himself as an experienced politician, seasoned administrator, a courageous team leader, and a visionary who is always accessible to his people.

As a legislator, Adeseun has facilitated the highest number of infrastructural development projects to wards and local councils in his constituency and beyond.  He has also facilitated the employment of hundreds of jobless youths thereby improving the quality of life and general social and economic well being of such people.

  Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun is married to his beautiful wife, Dr. Fehintola Oluyemisi Adeseun and they are blessed with wonderful and flourishing children.

•Mr. Omotoso, a seasoned writer and journalist, is Director, Media and Publicity, Ayo Adeseun Campaign Organization.