Former Lagos State Information and Strategy Commissioner, Dele Alake, was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Mass Communication this weekend by Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State.
The 12th convocation and conferment ceremony was presided over by the founder and visitor, Dr. Ola Adebogun.
Beside Alake, who is currently the Director of Media and Strategic Communication, All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), the University also honoured Dr. John Momoh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television with a Doctorate Degree in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies.
According to Caleb University, Alake was honoured for his numerous feats as a respected journalist, media statesman and astute administrator. The event which was held at the main auditorium of the university, also witnessed the convocation ceremony for the 2021/2022 graduating students of the school, as well as this year’s Founder’s Day lecture.
The lecture titled Digital disruptions, financial inclusion, startups and the challenges of youth creativity, was delivered by Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, the Chief Executive Officer of AIICO Insurance Plc. The insurance guru urged the graduating students to take advantage of technology as they go out into the world saying “never follow the crowd, but rather, identify your areas of strength and work hard on them.”
While delivering his acceptance speech after being decorated Alake said he appreciated the efforts of the founder of the University and explained that it is this appreciation that informed his acceptance of the honorary degree as he is in the habit of turning down chieftaincy titles and honorary awards based on principles. “But this is a humbling experience as I see the honour not only for me but as an exceedingly rewarding honour for the modest contributions of our industry, journalism to the growth of the country.
“We are here to celebrate the intrinsic value of education. I value this because I come from a home of educationists. My father ran Benevolent High School, Surulere, Lagos. I always doff my hat for people enhancing education anywhere at any time. We do not subscribe to titles in journalism. But I appreciate this and I am humbled by this recognition as I do not think I had a friend in Caleb University before I got the letter conferring this honour on me. I pledge from today to start contributing my quota to the development of this institution so that many people can get the quality education available here,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the event include the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, former deputy governor of Lagos State and Chairman, Caleb University Board of Trustees, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Professor Sunday Ajayi, Pro-Chancellor of the University, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, Vice Chancellor of the University, Mr. Louis Odion, Senior Technical Assistant on Media to the President (OVP), Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, among many others.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
