TRIPLE HONOUR FOR DR. MADEIN AS OGUN NUJ CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE OF JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE

The Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has bestowed a triple honour on the first female Accountant-General of the Federation, and Founder and Chairperson of the Olowo Oloye Foundation for Empowerment and Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, as part of activities marking the Council's 50th anniversary of journalism excellence.

The distinguished honours, according to the Union, are in recognition of Dr. MADEIN's exceptional record of service, historic achievements, leadership in public financial management and contributions to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
The first of the honours is her conferment today, Thursday, 8th October 2026, as a Golden Jubilee Ambassador of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ.
The Golden Jubilee Ambassador honour is reserved for an exclusive circle of 50 outstanding individuals whose lives and works embody excellence, service to humanity and the core values represented by journalism, including truth, accountability and justice.

According to the Union, Dr. MADEIN's distinguished career and public service record exemplify these values, while her contributions to public financial management and national development have earned her a place among the eminent personalities being recognised as part of the historic Golden Jubilee celebration.

The second honour is the Golden Jubilee Excellence Award, which will be presented to Dr. MADEIN at the Grand Finale and Award Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 31st October, 2026.
The award is in recognition of her historic achievements, groundbreaking leadership in public financial management and monumental contributions to the growth and development of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

The third aspect of the honour is Dr. MADEIN's appointment as the Keynote Speaker at the Anniversary Lecture of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ, scheduled for Thursday, 29th October, 2026, at the Council Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.

The Union said the anniversary celebration was designed to leave an indelible mark on the profession by empowering present and future generations of media practitioners and contributing meaningfully to the national discourse on rebuilding public confidence in journalism as an essential pillar of democratic growth.

Given Dr. MADEIN's distinguished position at the helm of the nation's treasury and her deep roots in Ogun State, (the historic birthplace of Nigeria's indigenous newspaper, Iweiroyin, founded in 1859 by Reverend Henry Townsend), her insights on public accountability, governance and national development are expected to provide valuable perspectives on the future of journalism and democracy in Nigeria.

The anniversary lecture with the theme, "Truth, Trust and the Press - Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism",
 will also feature distinguished panelists, including Dr. Reuben ABATI, veteran journalist and former spokesperson to former President Goodluck JONATHAN; Dapo OLORUNYOMI, publisher of Premium Times; Ashiwaju Kunle KALEJAIYE, SAN, Chairman, Governing Council of Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese; and Alhaji Yusuf OLANIYONU, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogun State, and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the then Senate President, Dr. Bukola SARAKI.

According to the Ogun State Council of  NUJ in a letter signed by the Chairman, Comrade Akinwale OLANREWAJU, the Union expressed confidence that Dr. MADEIN's participation would elevate the significance of the Golden Jubilee celebration and send a powerful message about the importance of integrity, press freedom and institutional excellence. 
The union noted that the triple honour represents a symbolic partnership between an eminent patriot and the historic institution of journalism in Ogun State.

The 50th anniversary celebration, the Union noted, provides an opportunity not only to celebrate five decades of journalism in Ogun State but also to reflect on the responsibilities of the media in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability and rebuilding public trust.

The honour therefore underscores the convergence of public service, accountability and journalism in the collective pursuit of a more transparent, responsible and development-oriented society.

 Temitope OYEKAN

Consultant on Media to Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN
8th October, 2026