Stand Point

National Pilot MD: Goldfish with no hiding place

 

With Joke Adeniyi-Jackson

A gold fish has no hiding place, goes a popular saying. A rare aquatic specie, the fish is conspicuous even  in the midst of multitude of its ilk. The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, National Pilot, Alhaji Billy Adedamola is like the proverbial gold fish whose worth as a journalist stands him out from among the pack. This was validated by the award bestowed on him  by the Nigeria Bar Association, Ilorin Branch. He was distinguished  alongside  six other eminent Nigerians last Saturday at a colourful event held at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, Kwara State. The association honoured the awardees based on merit and outstanding contributions to the development of the society through their various fields of endeavour.
National Pilot MD was given ‘Personality Award. Having worked closely with  Alhaji Adedamola in about half a decade, one can boldly say that the honour is well deserved.  His coming to National Pilot turned around the fortunes of the newspaper which was on the verge of collapse, which his timely arrival saved. With his ‘magic wand’ National Pilot received lifeline and bounced back to life. Like the proverbial  ram that rescinded and came back charging with vigour, the newspaper has stepped notches higher in serving hot and sizzling reports  to the reading public. With the medium  he has been able to realise his vision of robust reporting. Consequently, National Pilot is one of the leading newspapers in Kwara State. The medium despite odds  has continued to soar  and has become darling of readers.
Lord Billy as he is fondly called by friends and associates changed the face of National Pilot, gave it a new identity, and enriched the editorial content.  He brought to bear his keen sense of professionalism as a fine breed journalist. At his feet, many of us have continued to learn the rope. We have gained immensely  his experience,  broad and profound knowledge of so many  aspects of journalism and attention to details.
An astute administrator, he drives his staff  hard with the sole aim of bringing out the best in them and they are better for it today. Learning under his tutelage is like passing through the burning furnace but coming out purified, polished  as gold. He leads by example, thus do not condone armchair journalism. He is painstaking and no reward can adequately compensate his efforts.
Under his administration, National Pilot has held tenaciously to its motto of ‘Quest for Truth and Justice.’ The practice of fearless journalism by the medium has pitched  some prominent  people against it, however, this has not deter the management from doing what it deemed right regardless of whose ox is gored, as a newspaper held in public trust.
Like the saying that nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm,  his raw passion for the profession has been the propelling force for him to succeed in the field. That is why while others work for money, he goes the extra mile to make a difference, which earned him the reward and recognition by the professional body.
While congratulating our amiable MD and mentor on this feat, it is hoped that he won’t rest on his oars, but continue with the tradition of excellence, because as it is believed  success is a journey and never a destination.

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