Adelami, Oladiji, Akinterinwa, Poroye, Ekungba, Adewinle, Ajanaku to Speak; Mrs Aiyedatiwa, Ajulo, Osamaye, FUTA VC, Takuro, Elegbeleye for Different Roles
Symposium, Free Medical Outreach, Illegal Night, Children’s Party, Great Trek, Award Nite Lined Up
Arrangements have been concluded for the take-off of the 2025 Press Week PEN-GANZA celebrations of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with a line-up of activities aimed at promoting wellness, professional excellence and stronger stakeholder engagement.
The week-long celebrations will kick off on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with a Church Thanksgiving at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi Area, Akure, by 9:00 a.m.
According to a press release jointly signed by the Chairman of the 2025 Press Week Committee, Banjo Egunjobi, and the Secretary, Jacob Akintunde, activities will continue on Monday, December 15, with a free medical outreach for journalists, veteran journalists and their spouses at the Press Centre Clinic by 10:00 a.m., while a Press Week Charity Visitation to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure, will hold by 2:00 p.m.
The free medical outreach, which will be carried out in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will feature health talks, fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations, all aimed at improving the well-being of journalists in the state.
According to the statement, the Opening Ceremony/Symposium/Public Lecture will hold on Tuesday, December 16, at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure. Special Guests include the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande; the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun; and the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku. The occasion will be chaired by Hon. (Dr) Isaac Kekemeke.
Lead speakers at the symposium are the Ondo State representative on the Board of the South West Development Commission, Dr Jide Adewinle; the immediate past Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa; the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye; and an APC chieftain, Chief Jamiu Ekungba.
The Chief Host of the event is the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, while the Ondo State NUJ Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, will serve as Host.
The theme of the 2025 Ondo Press Week is “Innovative Pathways for Journalists Amidst Economic, Security and Political Challenges.”
Other activities lined up include a Health Walk/Great Trek and Love Feast on Wednesday, December 17, by 6:00 a.m.; a Novelty Match/Inter-Chapel Football Final; and an Illegal/Asun Night on Thursday, December 18, at the Press Centre.
The Illegal/Asun Night will be powered by the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
Jumat Service will hold on Friday, December 19, at the Government House Mosque, Alagbaka, Akure.
On the same day, the Press Week Children’s Party will take place at the Press Centre, with the Ondo State First Lady, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, as Mother of the Day, while the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
On Saturday, December 20, the final matches of the indoor games—sponsored by the NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye—will be held. The Press Week will climax on Sunday, December 21, with the Grand Finale: PEN-GANZA and Award Night at the Press Centre.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo; members of the State Executive Council; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan; and the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ademola Olapade, among other distinguished Nigerians.
Those to be honoured during the PEN-GANZA and Award Night include the Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro; the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adenike Oladiji; a global security expert, Mr Olufemi Meshe; the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocols, Alhaji Mudashiru Adegbeha; and businessman, Oluomo Olugbenga Olayinka.
Other award recipients are businessman and philanthropist, Otunba Yomi Akingbade; Director of Media at NARSDA and media expert, Dr Felix Babatunde Ale; Director-General, Ondo State, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin; and Hon. (Otunba) Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, representing Ondo West Constituency I and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
The NUJ leadership says the 2025 Press Week will provide an opportunity for journalists to reflect, celebrate excellence, build professional networks, and strengthen their health and capacity for service.
