Bob Marley Day Fiesta: EIRS Chairman, Balogun, Lauds NUJ For Posthumous Award To Dad, As He Envisages A Bankole-Balogun Media Foundation

By Bernadette Idalu

Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS,) Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun on Sunday, May 11, certainly felt “Irie” swaying to reggae beats in memory of Robert Nesta Marley at the Oba Oguola Press Centre, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), just as “Jah Rastafari” whispered into his heart, directing his feet upstage to announce plans to setup and personally endow the Bankole-Balogun Media Foundation in memory of his father, as well as in celebration of the hard work of media practitioners in Edo State.

Balogun, who got moral and physical support from his Igarra, Akoko- Edo kinsmen, friends, government officials and a retinue of EIRS staffs as he picked up the posthumous award for “Distinguished Service” bestowed on his father, Chief James Bankole-Balogun, pioneering Managing Director of Bendel Broadcasting Service, praised the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for honouring the memory of his father at the 3rd Edition of the NUJ organized Bob Marley Night.

During his acceptance speech, Balogun urged media practitioners to always “Aim to excel” no matter what they do in life as their reward will always come. He appreciated the leadership of Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), midwifed from Bendel Broadcasting Service, for adhering to the professional rules as laid down by his dad. He commended the Edo State Council of the NUJ for recognizing the broadcasting qualities of his late father.

On an emotional note, Balogun revealed he was receiving the award on a happy and proud note on behalf of his mum and the entire family.

The other media award recipient at this auspicious occasion was Elder Francis Onoiribholo of the Daily Independent Newspaper who got the NUJ “Long Service Award” haven worked as a print journalist for the past fifty (50) years.

Earlier, during his opening remark, Chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe pledged the commitment of the Edo Council of the NUJ to cut down incidents of yellow journalism through resort to balanced and accurate reportage.