Preparations have been concluded for the 2025 Press Week, tagged PEN-GANZA, of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, with a rich programme of activities lined up to promote journalists’ welfare, professional excellence and stakeholder engagement.
The week-long celebration will begin on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with a thanksgiving service at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi Area, Akure, by 9am.
According to a statement 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 10am, followed by a charity visit to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure, by 2pm.
The free medical outreach, organised in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will include health talks, fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations aimed at improving the wellbeing of journalists in the state.
The statement noted that the opening ceremony, symposium and public lecture will hold on Tuesday, December 16, at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure. Special guests expected include the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Ogun; and the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku. The event will be chaired by Hon. (Dr) Isaacs 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, 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 and great trek with a love feast on Wednesday, December 17, by 6am. A novelty match, inter-chapel football final and Illegal/Asun Night will take place on Thursday, December 18, at the Press Centre, powered by the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
A Jumat service is scheduled for Friday, December 19, at the Government House Mosque, Alagbaka, Akure, while the Press Week Children’s Party will hold the same day at the Press Centre. The Ondo State First Lady, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, will be the mother of the day, with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, as special guest of honour.
Final matches of the indoor games, sponsored by the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, will be held on Saturday, December 20. The Press Week will climax on Sunday, December 21, with the grand finale, PEN-GANZA and Award Night, at the Press Centre.
Dignitaries expected at the celebrations include the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami; the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji; the Secretary to the State Government, 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, Comrade Ademola Olapade, among others.
Those to be honoured during the PEN-GANZA and Award Night include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro; the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, 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, Dr Felix Babatunde Ale; the Director-General of 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 said the 2025 Press Week would offer journalists an opportunity to reflect, celebrate excellence, strengthen professional networks and enhance their health and capacity for service.
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