The World Bishops’ Council (WBS) spokesperson, Bishop Seun Adeoye has lauded Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi for awarding scholarship to the only surviving son of Iyabode Olusola-Dada, a journalist who died last Thursday after a protracted illness.
Mrs. Olusola-Dada, a former reporter with the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) was until her death, a media officer with the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr. Ogunbiyi had during his declaration for governorship election under the platform of PDP announced the granting of scholarship awards from primary school to university level to the late journalist’s son, 11 years old Oluwaseyi.
In a statement issued in Osogbo Thursday, the cleric explained that the gesture was a welcome development, and acknowledged the kind gesture of the politician.
According to him, as a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs. Olusola-Dada was a useful asset to the union from the state to the national level.
“I read about this scholarship commitment for young Oluwaseyi from Dr. Ogunbiyi. I also heard that the scholarship offer was not a vote-catching gesture as he had in the last ten years been offering scholarship awards worth N50million annually to indigent students, so I am overwhelmed by this development.
“That the award of scholarship took immediate effect with Dr. Ogunbiyi’s party and the sister of the deceased already commissioned to manage the funds is a clear indication that it was not just a mere promise. So, I thank the donour for all. He should be assured of our prayers.
“As a former Chairman of Osun council’s of NUJ, I can affirm that Mrs. Olusola-Dada was a committed journalist who at various times won the council’s awards and she also contributed her quota to the growth of the union”.
Bishop Adeoye therefore commiserated with her family, the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the NUJ in the state over the untimely death of one of them.
