Oluyole LG Chairman bags ‘Meritorious Service To The Grassroots’ Award from NUJ BCOS Chapel

The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, has been honoured with the Meritorious Service to the Grassroots Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State chapel.

The award was presented by the Chairman of BCOS, Mrs. Dotun Olaitan, on Thursday, December 18, at a ceremony organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) BCOS chapel, Ibadan.

The Union’s leadership cited Olatunji’s visible impact at the community level and his consistent engagement with grassroots development initiatives across the local government as some of the factors that earned him the media recognition.

The award comes barely three days after Olatunji was honoured by artisans in Oyo State with the Best Local Government Performance Award, a development that observers say underscores a growing consensus around his performance in office.

The NUJ BCOS chapel noted that the award aligns with its tradition of acknowledging public office holders whose policies and actions demonstrate commitment to inclusive development, good governance and service to the people

Presenting the award, Chairman of the BCOS said the decision was based on Olatunji’s “people-focused leadership style and practical interventions that directly touch the lives of residents at the grassroots.”

According to her, “As journalists and media practitioners, we watch governance closely. What stands out about the Oluyole LG chairman is that his actions reflect a clear understanding of grassroots needs. This award is our way of encouraging responsive leadership.”

Receiving the award, Olatunji expressed appreciation to the union, describing the recognition as a motivation to do more for the people of Oluyole.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the award, Olatunji assured that his administration is fully aligned with the vision of governor Seyi Makinde under the sustainable development agenda of Omituntun 2.0, noting that the economic blueprints being implemented at the state level was immediately domesticated in Oluyole upon his assumption of office.

This, he said, was to engender policy cohesion, socioeconomic initiative alignment, and to bring development that directly improve the quality of life and standard of living of his people in Oluyole.

“I see this not just as a personal honour but as a collective recognition of the efforts of our entire team, and so this award is dedicated to my political father, leader, and mentor, Governor Seyi Makinde, for the opportunity given me to serve my people and showcase what I can do.

“Grassroots development is not a slogan for us. It is the reason we are in government, and we will continue to justify the trust reposed in us by the governor and the leadership of our great party, the PDP,” Olatunji said.

He added that collaboration with the media, which he described as the fourth estate of the realm, remains important to sustaining transparency and accountability at the local government level.

With back-to-back recognitions from professional groups and artisans, political other media professionals at the event say the Oluyole LG administration is increasingly being positioned as a reference point for grassroots governance in Oyo State.

Royal father of the day was the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, His Royal Majesty, Oba Francis Olushola Alao.

Present at the event were the newly elected chairman of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, Imam Daud Alawiye, an Islamic Scholar, Wife of the executive chairman of Oluyole LG; Hajia Balikis Olatunji, Leader of LG Legislatve House; Hon Taofeek Azeez, PDP Vice Chairman Oluyole; Alh. Arewa Sanni, and others.