KWIRS Awards: Eminent personalities, ex-staff eulogise National Pilot
…as medium holds cocktail party
By Adebayo Olodan, Ahmed Ajikobi, Kayode Adeoti, Mike Adeyemi and Ahmed Suleiman
National Pilot, yesterday, organised a cocktail party in celebration of award presented to it as the Best Print Media of the Year by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) in Ilorin, on Saturday.
The event took place 5pm at the headquarters of the newspaper located along Asa dam Road, Ilorin.
In attendance were the former commissioner for Sports and Youths Development in the state, Alhaji Kale Ayo, the Head Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Kunle Akogun, the General Manager of Radio Kwara, Alhaji Abdullateef Adedeji, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Ajayi Okasanmi and veteran journalist, Mallam Tunde Akanbi.
Also present were; the former chief press secretary to former Kwara State governor, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, the Press Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mrs Ayobola Olupinla, Regional Editor, Leadership Newspaper, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin, Editor, Moonlight Newspaper, Mallam Issa Saliu and KWIRS trio of Olufemi Oguntokun, Fareedah Abdullahi and Bolaji Abdullah.
The award is coming barely three weeks after the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the medium, Alhaji Billy Adedamola was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Speaking at the event, Adedamola appreciated all those who have come to felicitate with the medium on the occasion even as he narrated the numerous challenges encountered in a bid to consistently provide readers with quality and accurate stories.
According to him, some of the reports of the medium though factual and balanced have turned some of his friends and those in the corridor of power against the medium.
“Despite the many threats, we will not be discouraged but will rather continue to play our role as watchdog of the society and a leading publication in the North Central region.
“Of course we could not have achieved this without the support of a vibrant and hardworking staff who I will continue to push hard for the medium to achieve further success. Many who felt they could not cope had left the medium but I am sure they will be very proud of how far we have come today,” the MD/Editor-in-Chief divulged.
In their remarks, the Editor, Christie Doyin and the General Editor, Mrs Joke Adeniyi-Jackson narrated the humble beginning of the medium 16 years ago adding that, “Some of us started as green horn and rookie 16 years ago with no intention to stay this long.
“Right now we don’t regret being in National Pilot. There is a god of pilot; pilot has a God. Sometimes there are several times that we would be down and dry and it would be like what are we going to come out with, but something out of the blues would just appear and when we come out with the story it would be widely accepted.”
They however appreciated God and the reading public for their trust in the medium.
Speaking further Adeniyi-Jackson said, “Nobody in the state today can claim not to know National Pilot. All these we owe to our MD because he has carved us. He saw us in the mode of clay and from his creativity he has been able to carve out something out of us. Today everyone of us here are golds.”
It has been working in National Pilot, I would not want to be anywhere, not radio Kwara or herald, I just want to be in National Pilot.
The award came at the right time because with this, we already see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In their separate remarks, former commissioner for Sports in the state, Alh. Kale Ayo, the General Manager of Radio Kwara, Alhaji Abdullateef Adebowale, the Director Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Kunle Akogun, Mallam Tunde Akanbi and the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi while applauding the media for the award charged both the management and staff not to relent in their efforts.
They also called for better support and patronage for the newspaper even as they urged the management to consider circulating the publication in other states especially in the North Central region like it was the case in the past.
Media outfits urged to emulate National Pilot
Media outfits in Kwara State and Nigeria at large have been charged to emulate National Pilot newspaper in accurate reportage, hard work and as watchdog of the society.
The Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Woru Mohammed gave the advice during a courtesy visit to National Pilot headquarters, Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, yesterday, on the basis of the Best Newspaper of the Year award received by the medium.
It would be recalled that the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) on Saturday in Ilorin, the state capital, presented the award to the medium for its extensive and accurate reportage.
Speaking yesterday, Alhaji Woru who was accompanied by members of the Magaji/Alangua Forum on the visit said, “This honour given to you is well deserved. For some years I have been an ardent reader of your newspaper and I must confess you go about realising and presenting your stories in a professional way.
“Also, you have a group of hard working staff and particularly since the present Managing Director came on board, I consistently make sure I read National Pilot before any newspaper.
“Unlike many others, National Pilot does not publish libellous or defamatory stories to sell your paper.
“At this juncture, I will implore other medium in the state and country at large to emulate the virtues of this medium in presenting their stories to the reading public,” he advised.
Magaji Nda however called on the publisher of the newspaper, Dr Bukola Saraki, who doubles as the Senate President, to invest heavily in the medium.
“Based on the achievements of the newspaper given its little resources, I will like to appeal to Dr Bukola Saraki, who is the publisher and the Senate President to further come to the aid of the medium in the area of wider coverage and better welfare package for the workforce. Similarly, I want to call on well-meaning Kwarans, including political office holders in the state and beyond to continue to support this medium.”
Reacting, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot newspaper, Alhaji Billy Adedamola, appreciated the traditional chiefs for the visit saying they were the first to congratulate and visit the medium on the basis of the award.
He lamented that the medium is not getting enough patronage in the area of adverts placement, especially from political office holders who benefitted from the leadership of Saraki.
“The publication has been around for almost two decades now and one would have expected the newspaper to have grown beyond its present status.
“The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki founded the medium to provide jobs for our teeming youths without asking for anything in return and I must also state that none of his relatives work here.
“One would have expected the presumed loyalists of Saraki to support us in the area of adverts placement but what do we get, they only refer their relatives or dependants here for job opportunities,” he lamented.
National Pilot put us on our toes – PPRO, Ajayi Okasanmi
I want to thank the medium for the recognition. Among the newspapers we have been doing things together, I can say, National Pilot has always been number one. They put the police on their toes. Many a times, I have reasons to quarrel with Ajikobi, Mumini but they will always insist that they get information from me. They will tell me Oga is on their neck, that has always been keeping us on our toes. If there is anything going on, I always try to put my best in it because I know National Pilot will later ask me about it. I have no doubt in my mind, the medium is going places. When I heard of the award, I said, the medium deserved it.
The newspaper, the format, the picture is always very clear. It attracts readers. Even if you don’t read it, you will buy and keep on your table because of its beauty. We’ve enjoyed so much support from everybody that’s here.
We recognise only the best – Femi Oguntokun (KWIRS)
At Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), we recognise and appreciate organisations whenever we see the best in them. We singled out the medium as the Best Print Media of the Year because of their commitment in projecting our activities in 2017. National Pilot never treated us as an agency of the government but as partner and that is why we selected the medium over others. The award is for hard work and job well done.
I particularly like the Sports page of the medium; I read the ‘Sidekick’ column well. When it comes to reporting national events, especially the one that has to do with human interest, they never failed; in fact, I read everything in the newspaper.
KWIRS award justifies NBA’s stance on medium – Manzuma
The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Issa Manzuma said the award of the Best Newspaper of the Year given to National Pilot by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has further testified to the fact that the legal practitioners in the state made the right choice by honouring the leadership of the medium.
He added that National Pilot in recent years has distinguished itself from others in the area of investigative journalism and balancing of reports.
He noted this during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the medium, Alhaji Billy Adedamola to the executive members of the NBA, Ilorin branch.
Manzuma in his remarks, saluted Adedamola for the award received at the weekend from KWIRS even as he commended the publication for its courage and doggedness in public interest.
“I congratulate you on the award giving to you by the KWIRS; it is a confirmation to ours. Also, on the balance reporting, your medium is known for, anytime you published a story against the government, I wonder if your proprietor will be happy with such. However, it’s just a misconception in the society; the media is only calling the attention of the government to areas of importance.
‘There is a difference between standard and industry and standard and knowledge but you have all. You also have a formidable team working with you,” he said.
Responding, Alhaji Adedamola appreciated NBA executives for the support.
According to him, his visit is geared towards strengthening the already established relationship.
He said, “The paper is held in public trust and we are committed to serving our society, the medium is riding on accolades and the rest, but we’ve paid high price for it.
“The award given us is valued more than money, it is enduring, when the notification letter came in, I didn’t read it, but at the insistence of my correspondent, I did, when I saw words used, I was humbled. I’m confessing, I’ve put a lot of years in journalism and I’ve made my mark, that honour was the greatest thing to happen to me, and I will forever cherish it.”
National Pilot has continued to overcome emerging challenges – Kale Ayo
I have been in contact with the medium from inception when its headquarters was located at Stadium Road.
Over the years, the newspaper has been able to surmount emerging challenges. For KWIRS to have given the medium the Best Newspaper of the Year is not a misplaced priority. That they do well in terms of reportorial, politics, sport development which is my area because I was once a Commissioner for Youths and Sport. Toyin Saheed who is in charge of sport in the publication has been wonderful as he is always around at the sporting arena in the morning, afternoon and evening.
It is my prayer that the newspaper continues to grow from strength to strength.
Privilege, honour to celebrate with National Pilot – GM radio Kwara, Abdullattef Adedeji
I’m privileged and honoured to celebrate with this medium.
For those who have been monitoring the Managing Director, Alh. Billy Adedamola, has always associated himself with excellence, hard work and he is passionate about what he is doing.
The MD wants the institution he represents to excel and he never hide this. He is no pretender, he will rather tell things to your face the way it is.
We are not here to celebrate just National Pilot but also to celebrate the MD/Editor-in-Chief, Alhaji Adedamola.
We also celebrate those working with him because he cannot do the work alone.
National Pilot known for positive criticism – Kunle Akogun (Director, Corporate Affairs Unilorin)
National Pilot is one of my darling newspapers. Apart from the people working here, both the top staff and the foot soldiers, I have a kind of psychological attachment with the newspaper. It is one of the few private newspapers making waves at least in Kwara State, maybe the middle belt and the north central in general. I am very happy that the award of the best newspaper is not misplaced. The newspaper has really paid its dues as regards informing, entertaining and telling the truth always. It does not involve in frivolous criticism but positive criticism that can engender development, National Pilot is well known for that.
On the column I love to read, it has to be the opinion pages both the editorial and the back page.
I expect that the newspaper will not rest on its oars because there is still wide room for improvement, and I hope with the calibre of people at the helm of affairs, the medium can rub shoulders with the most powerful newspapers in the country. I also like the newspaper for exclusive social and political stories.
Meanwhile, I want to use this medium to appeal to the management to continue to support the University of Ilorin because we are partners in progress. Wherever they see us we go wrong, they should try as much as possible to call us to order.
I expect medium to go national – Mutiat Olusola
I was once a staff of National Pilot for so many years and this is where I actually started my career as a journalist and photographer. Eventually, I found myself with Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation as a broadcaster. I must say that everything that happened to me as journalist started at National Pilot Newspaper. The award given to the medium is well deserved.
I also expect more of such awards from other organisations.
So many people have a lot to say about who MD but for me, the way he relates with his staff is superb. He believes in everyone that you have the best in you. You just need a little push to bring out that inborn quality you have that is his kind of person.
On my expectation for the newspaper, I have this vision for National Pilot to go national just like the name implies. People still look at it as local newspaper but the content goes beyond a local newspaper. It is a newspaper that fights along the national dailies because some of the stories that are published in National Pilot newspaper at times you can never find them in national dailies.
The award timely, well deserved – Bolaji Abdullah (KWIRS)
National Pilot Newspaper has been a good media partner with Kwara State Internal Revenue Service for a while, and the newspaper’s sense of reportage is extremely incredible.
National Pilot Newspaper deserved the award, and there is no any ambiguity in it. I will only advice the medium to continue in that stride as the sky is the beginning.
Senate President should provide more funds – Tunde Akanbi
After my GM, Alhaji Abdullateef Adebowale had spoken, ordinarily I would have just said I concurred but the story of National Pilot newspaper, its management and entire staff cannot be told by one person. It is a story people will tell in different perspectives.
Everyone has roles to play in the success. Is it the Editor you want to talk about, the General Editor’s back page, Politics, Sports, Crime among other pages or the widely dreaded After Hours column that everyone rush for?
Some staff left this medium because of the hard way the MD use to train his reporters for their betterment. Those who could endure remained while others left. However the newspaper has continued to get better and nothing stops the Senate President to invest more money in this medium to fight back anyone who attacks Saraki.
It will be interesting to see National Pilot return to circulation in the North especially the North central zone such as Kogi, Niger and Benue states where they have no regular or top quality newspaper.
For instance, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has continued to use his various media platforms including print and electronic media to promote his political image and ambition.
I was conductor at N’Pilot, now driver in another medium- Issa Saliu (Moonlight Editor)
Our boss, Alh. Billy Adedamola is a disciplinarian to the core. He never compromise his journalism standard for a pot of poridge. He taught many of us real journalism. People always see him as a tough man but he was only trying to bring the best out of his reporters. You can never catch him womanising or in any other act of indiscipline. He made me who I am today.
If I may compare the newspaper then to what is obtained now, I think there is a huge gap because it had been turned to international standard.
As of today, as far as journalism in Kwara State and its environs is concerned, National Pilot has no rival and this can be attest to by the award we are celebrating today.
I was initially covering Education beat before I was moved to Crime where I was polished by the MD to fine breed journalist.
The position I have been able to attain today is all down to the training and experience garnered during my time at National Pilot.
I congratulate the management and entire staff of the medium for this well deserved award.
Medium distinct in reportage – Daniel Ayantoye
In its reportage, National Pilot is distinct; the awards this medium has bagged so far are well deserved. I know for sure, if the medium has the opportunity to go national, it will do more. So far, I must commend the MD/Editor-in-Chief, Alhaji Billy Adedamola for leading his team in the right direction.
What I missed most about the medium is the love and the team work we shared. Every production night is always tough because the MD is always on his toes. I have missed that push and hard drive.
There was a particular story I did on Oro-Ago during an outbreak of disease in the community, I can never forget the experience. The report almost claim my life but, the beauty of it was that it came out a success.
Medium consistent in reportage – Faridat Abdulahi (KWIRS)
I appreciate the medium for its non partisanship reportage which stood them out in Kwara State. Each time we need the service of National Pilot newspaper; the media house is always there for us. The medium has consistently brought the activities and stewardship of KWIRS over the years to the purview of the general public. I will implore the management and staff of the medium to keep the flag flying.
Abdullahi Olesin (Regional Editor, Leadership Newspaper)
The achievements of the newspaper speak volume. Of recent, two different awards have come the way of the newspaper and from reputable organisations.
We are in a competition and two organisations have singled them out as the best newspaper out of several publications in the country that is a great achievement. This is not far-fetched because once you pick up a copy of National Pilot you will find it difficult not to go through it. On every page there is something to be learnt. The newspaper is very committed to correcting the ills in the society and above all it has been balancing its report.
If the government does anything good it reports it and if people complain that the government has not done something right it reports it and that is how a newspaper should operate. We are the watchdog of the society.
More awards expected – – Ayobola Olupinla (Press Sec, Ministry of Information)
The award presented to National Pilot as the Best Newspaper in Kwara State by Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) is the beginning of many good things to come the way of the medium. Many other organisations including NGOs will invite the medium for more recognition and awards.
I want to implore the staff of the medium to put in more efforts than before especially now that they have been recognised by KWIRS.
On the particular column or page I love to read in the newspaper, I will easily settle for Joke Adeniyi-Jackson’s Standpoint at the back page. Also appealing is the Show biz and lifestyle pages.
I learnt never to give up on stories – Bukola Oriola
I’m humbled by this opportunity as I started my career and built myself here. I studied journalism actually but this was where I acquired the needed experience in journalism.
I built my confidence on how to relate with people here. Those contacts I built here, we still maintain the relationship. This is my source though I had some bitter experiences but I must say, some things are better learnt the hard way. I learned to work under pressure and to be happy under the condition.
While here, I learnt never to give up and that was what gave me the edge to interview the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Controller-General. I was the first person in Kwara State to interview him exclusively.
Talking of the contents, you cannot compare what National Pilot stands tall.
Medium, a trail blazer – Fmr CPS, Mas’ud Adebimpe
From the head of the management to the lowest staff of the medium, people out there are taking notes of their activities. For every effort geared towards ensuring the paper gets to the news stand, people are taking notes. That accounts for the award the medium just received. The award should re-energise every individual in the organisation to rededicate themselves. Journalists are historians ditto people out there are documenting what we do To me, it’s a well deserved award, the medium has made positive impact in the lives of the people out there. If it is investigative journalism that has won the medium this award, it should do more. If it is balancing of stories, then, more should be done in that regard.
On my preferred page(s), I’m more interested in the news pages. I love reading stories I cannot get in other dailies which I am sure I will get in National Pilot.
The other page I don’t joke with is the photo page. I know that is another story on its own. The entire package is always unique, there is no time the paper does not look different. It could be the lead story, arrangement or planning that makes it special.