Great Achiever Magazine Celebrates 25th Anniversary, honours Illustrious Sons and Daughters of Ago-Iwoye with Awards
It is a moment of joy and great accomplishment for Great Achiever Magazine as it attains 25 years in the media industry.
The Magazine was established in 1996 as a specialized commemorative publication. It showcases people of great accomplishments and their contributions to societal development; historic and memorable events; government activities and general interest news.
The magazine’s maiden edition was published in 1996 to commemorate the 1996 Ago-Iwoye Day Celebration and conferment of Award of Illustrious Son and Illustrious Daughter of Ago-Iwoye on notable indigenes of the town.
Subsequently, the magazine was coming out periodically to commemorate historic events and showcase happenings that are news worthy across Ogun State which is its major area of focus and coverage as well as Nigeria at large.
The magazine at inception was organising from time to time, Award ceremony in honour of distinguished personalities of impeccable character and great accomplishments; people who have attained great heights in their professions and businesses; people whose outstanding achievements and contributions to societal development are sources of inspiration to the present and future generations.
This decision was borne out of conviction that people who deserve honour should be celebrated while they are still alive to savour the joy of recognition, and not wait till death before eulogies are poured on them as it is done in most cases. The honour is also to encourage other members of the society to emulate the Awardees by contributing their quota to societal development.
The modalities for the selection of Awardees are through public opinion poll and internal mechanism of the organization.
Later on, the magazine graduated from periodic publication to quarterly publication in 2003, while still maintaining its commemorative special edition whenever Award ceremony is being organized. A special edition of the magazine is also published to commemorate special events from time to time.
While it is instructive to note that Great Achiever Magazine is honouring some Illustrious Sons and Daughters of Ago-Iwoye with Awards to commemorate its 25th Anniversary on 19th June, 2021, it is pertinent to mention that the maiden edition of Great Achiever Magazine in 1996 was published to commemorate the conferment of Awards on some notable indigenes of Ago-Iwoye who were showcased in the magazine at that time.
Perhaps, this explains why the management of Great Achiever Magazine decides to re-enact the event of 1996 by choosing Ago-Iwoye again as the venue of the 25th Anniversary celebration, where prominent indigenes of the town will be honoured with Awards.
Several distinguished personalities from all walks of life, including a sitting Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, were honoured with Awards in the past.
However, at a point in time, the management of Great Achiever Magazine, in anticipation of likelihood absence of viable events at all times which may lead to difficulty in publishing the magazine, sat down to review the event commemorative status of the magazine.
The management therefore decided that the editorial contents of the magazine should be improved upon in order to ensure that the magazine comes out on regular basis.
That was successfully done and the frequency of the publication improved tremendously as opposed to thrice publication in a year.
With this new feat, the magazine still showcases events, people of accomplishments, government activities and holding government accountable to the people.
In the same vein, the magazine also performs its role as an educative, informative and entertaining publication to serve the interest of the reading public.
As typical of many businesses operating in Nigeria, Great Achiever magazine has had its own share of various challenges occasioned by economic down turn and harsh economic policies of government which dotted its path during its 25 years journey.
The advent of social media which promotes immediacy of news as it breaks, has also taken its toll on the publication as its print run of every edition has been drastically reduced.
This invariably has led to loss of revenue from sales, just in the same manner that it affects the conventional mainstream media organisations that have embarked on retrenchment of staff to survive.
However, the publisher, Yomi Ogunsanu affirmed that it has not been easy coping with the challenges of publication business, especially when one looks back at the history of journalism vis-Ã -vis newspapers and magazines which shows that the Nigeria of yesteryears was better than Nigeria of today.
In the words of Ogunsanu, “At that time, businesses were thriving very well because the economy was buoyant, but gradually, most of the publications at that time went into extinction because the economy was no longer supportive.
“Again, the reading culture of Nigerians is not encouraging and one has to take that into consideration as well. We don’t read at all and it affects the sales of newspapers and magazines, because basically, there are two major sources from which newspapers and magazines derive their income; from advertisement and through sales of copies.
“The economy that is biting very hard affects a lot of people and business organisations to the extent that advertisement placements have now reduced, not to talk of sales.
Nowadays, if someone buys a newspaper or magazine, about four to five people will be sharing it to read, and this has affected the business.
Aside from that, with the advent of social media, people now go online to read news as it breaks or get information on their phones. This has undoubtedly led to drastic reduction in print runs which invariably affects income from sales of newspapers and magazines”.
In order to remain afloat, Great Achiever magazine now do more of online publishing, while printing of hard copies is now limited to coverage of special events, with more emphasis on commercial coverage without compromising the ethics of journalism profession.
The management of Great Achiever Magazine, however, prides itself with its uncommon ability to still remain in business despite the numerous challenges it has faced. This is attributed to tenacity, perseverance and resilience. The Publisher disclosed that, “We might not have got to where we are going, but looking back, we thank God that we are still in business.
“Occasionally, when I meet people that I’ve not seen for quite a while, the question they usually asked is, are you still publishing that magazine? And, I will reply that we are still publishing it, which means that people are expecting that it should have folded up, may be by experience of other publications that have long gone into extinction.
‘So, we really thank God for everything, though it has not been easy because it has been rough and tough, there are lots of challenges, but we thank God that we’ve been able to weather the storm. We thank God that we’ve been able to face the challenges and come out unscathed. It has not been easy, but thank God we are still in the business”.
Another feat achieved by Great Achiever magazine during its journey of twenty five years is delving into publishing biographical books. It embarked on the publishing of WHO’S WHO series. In 2015, it published ‘WHO’S WHO IN AGO-IWOYE’, while ‘WHO’S WHO IN REMOLAND’ and ‘WHO’S WHO IN EGBALAND’ were published in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Commenting on journalism as a profession, Yomi Ogunsanu said the business of journalism is not where one can make big money because there is not so much money in it, but there is fame.
He said if one wants to be a millionaire or billionaire, it is better to look for another business other than journalism. On the other hand, he said if a journalist works very hard, he will sustain himself and be able to meet his needs,
though he may not be super rich, but he will not be someone that can be pushed back in the society.
As Great Achiever Magazine celebrates its 25 years anniversary, an array of distinguished personalities are set to bag the prestigious Award of Illustrious Son of Ago-Iwoye and Award of Illustrious Daughter of Ago-Iwoye.
These eminent indigenes of Ago-Iwoye include: Prof. Olukayode Taiwo, who is presently engaged as Senior Social Development Specialist, The World Bank, Abuja office.
He was until February 2016, Director, Environment/Social Safeguards at Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). He is a foundation staff of the World Bank-funded Lagos Urban Transport Project in 2003. He attended Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure and CMS Grammar School, Lagos, before he proceeded to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, where he obtained B.A Philosophy/Sociology 1978. He was also admitted to the University of Ibadan and graduated in 1982 with M.Sc Sociology.
He belongs to several professional associations which include: Fellow of Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN); Member, Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST); Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Member, Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (CILT).
A successful businessman that is being recognized for his numerous contributions to the development of Ago-Iwoye is Aare (Alhaji) Safiriyu Kazeem, the Managing Director/CEO of SAF Petroleum. He is a humble person who lives a quiet life and exudes simplicity in all he does.
At an early stage of his life, he demonstrated the skill of a man who is determined to excel in life. He struggled early in life to pull himself out of the depth of want which destiny put him.
Alhaji Kazeem, who was born over 60 years ago, began work after his education as a petrol attendant with Total Filling Station, Ijora, Lagos between 1974 and 1979. He also worked thereafter in other petrol stations, and later became the dealer for Unipetrol, Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta and also at Agege, Lagos.
However, due to his hard work, perseverance and grace of God, his tireless efforts were crowned with success, when, in 1992, he established SAF Petroleum Company Limited.
Today, he has many fuel stations to his credit.
Alhaji Kazeem is noted for mobilizing his people towards community participation and development, with the focus of ensuring a virile society. No wonder he had donated generously to various launching and fund raising programmes designed to improve the standard of living of the masses, especially his people.
Barrister Ademola Ayotunde Badejo is another eminent personality that will be honoured. A graduate of six (6) tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Demola is a multi-disciplinary professional with diverse experiences in legislative, legal, communication and journalistic spheres spanning over 40 years.
From a humble beginning at the Ibadan City Council Primary School at Mokola, Ibadan, he attended Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi near Oyo, where his leadership qualities were first noticed and consequently challenged as a School Prefect. He was among the second set of intakes into The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in 1975, when the then Western State Government introduced Advanced Level Studies (Basic Studies). He later attended the highly reputable University of Ife in 1977, graduating with Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree (English) in June 1980.
In June 2005, Demola Badejo was appointed a Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Public Service, becoming the first indigene of Ago-Iwoye, his home town to attain the height in the Ogun State Public Service. He subsequently served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and at the Lagos/Ogun Megacity Development Authority.
Barrister Badejo was elevated to the position of Clerk to the Ogun State House of Assembly in December 2008. He retired from the Ogun State Public Service in September, 2011.
Another distinguished son of Ago-Iwoye that will be honoured is Hon. Olugbenga Abolaji-Israel, who was born over 50 years ago. He attended Imososi Primary School, Ago-Iwoye from 1970 to 1975, and later attended Ago-Iwoye Secondary School from 1976 to 1981 where he obtained his School Certificate. He proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) to study Physics and graduated in 1987 with Bachelor of Science (Physics).
After his National Youth Service, he opted to start an Articleship in Accountancy and joined Babington Ashaye & Co (Chartered Accountant) as Trainee Accountant. He wrote ICAN Professional examinations and became a Chartered Accountant in 1993.
He left Babington Ashaye & Co to start along with his brother Abimbola Odufote (FCA), OLU ODUFOTE & Co which he later changed the Practice name to Abolaji Israel & Co. He is presently the General Manager of Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA).
Mr. Akinboye Oluyombo Ogungbe is also found worthy of being honoured. He started his elementary education at Sonyindo Wesley School, Sagamu, from 1961 to 1966. He later proceeded to Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu, for his secondary education between 1967 and 1971, where he obtained Grade 1.
He went to Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC), from 1972 to 1973. Thereafter, he was admitted to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in 1974 and graduated with Diploma in Accounting at Credit level in 1976.
He subsequently proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye, where he bagged MBA (Finance and Accounting) in 1998.
He obtained the professional qualification of Associate Member (ACA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. In 1992, he obtained Diploma in Electronic Data Processing, while he qualified in 1998 as Fellow Member (FCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. In 2000, he became Associate Member (ACTI), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and in 2011, he qualified as Fellow Member (FCTI), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Akin Ogungbe, a diligent and thoroughbred professional with very rich experience that spanned several years in reputable public and private organizations, was appointed as University Bursar at Wesley University, Ondo, where he served meritoriously from 2014 to 2019 before his retirement.
Another prominent indigene of Ago-Iwoye that is not left out of the roll call of honours is Olootu Oladipupo Oluwatoyin Sofowora. He attended Methodist High School, Ibadan, Oyo State, where he obtained his Secondary School Certificate in 1972.
Thereafter, he proceeded to Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Ogun State, where he obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1975. Thereafter, he was admitted into the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with Bachelor’s and Masters’ Degrees in Agricultural Economics in 1979 and 1982 respectively. He is currently working on his Doctorate degree in Agricultural Extension at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He is a pensioner of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He has a wealth of experience spanning over 38years in strategic leadership roles in core Agricultural business from the Academia, Banking, Private and Public sectors of the economy. He is presently engaged as Land based Investment Specialist with the World Bank Project in Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP).
Olootu Dipo Sofowora is the Chairman/CEO of FIRST CRYSTAL INTEGRATED AGRICULTURE LTD, a Farming and Agricultural Consultancy concern in his home town, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
A renowned educationist, Otunba Ayobade Baiyeselu Obajimi, is on the list of the deserving Awardees. He got to the peak of his 34 years career with Lagos State Government on his appointment as a Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary in May 2009 from where he retired on his 60th birthday on 27th April, 2014.
The laudable achievements recorded in his five years tenure culminated into the award of ‘One of the Five Most Committed Service Charter Permanent Secretaries in Lagos State’ by the Office of Transformation, Governor’s Office in May 2014.
Earlier, he was the Principal of four different Secondary Schools, each transformed to win the award of the Best Secondary School in Lagos State while Obajimi emerged the Best Principal each time.
This feat led to the award of the Lagos State Productivity Award in 1999 and a ticket to compete for the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) which he won and was decorated by President Abubakar Abdulsalaami on 7th April, 1999.
Otunba Obajimi attended St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School Ago-Iwoye and Ago-Iwoye Secondary School (1969-1973).Thereafter, he studied at the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife for a course that led to the award of Bachelor of Science degree in Geology/Geophysics in 1979.
He also obtained the Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in 1985 at the University of Lagos and Masters in Education (M.Ed) in 1993 at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
A proud daughter of Ago-Iwoye and prominent professional dancer who will be the cynosure of all eyes as she receives her Award is Omooba Ebudola Adesola Sulaiman. She went to Igan Wesley School, Ago-Iwoye for her primary education and later attended Abobi Comprehensive High School Ago-Iwoye.
Thereafter, she proceeded to National Teacher’s Institute (N.T.I) at Ijebu-Ode, where she obtained Grade II Certificate between 2000 and 2003. Her desire for higher academic qualification motivated her to seek admission into Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, where she obtained OND in 2005.
Ebudola began her dancing career when she was 4 years old, featuring in her father’s Cultural Troupe named Oluweri Traditional Naming Ceremony Dance Troupe in the Western Region in the 1970s. The group later transformed to Olu Youth Dance Troupe which is now headed and owned by Omooba Ebudola Adesola Sulaiman.
She is a highly skilful professional dancer who has travelled far and wide both nationally and internationally. She traveled to places like South Africa and other African countries. She was also called back to National Troupe under Director General Hammed Yerima to travel to Havana, Cuba where she displayed her solo dance in Wemilere Festival in 2008.
Following the footsteps of her father, Hazzan Olorisa, Omooba Ebudola Sulaiman voluntarily took over the responsibility of monitoring and managing the affairs of the traditional worshipers (the Olorisas) in Ago-Iwoye.
In appreciation of her kind gesture, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba, in 2020, made her the head of all the traditional worshipers in Ago-Iwoye.
Egbe Gbobaniyi, Ago-Iwoye, is an age group association that is in the roll call of honour. The Egbe since its establishment in 2009 has recorded modest achievements that qualified it for the conferment of Award of Excellence in Community Service. Oluomo Femi Bakre is the Giwa Egbe Gbobaniyi, Ago-Iwoye, while Princess Adenike Adeneye is the Iyalode Egbe.
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