Veterans Journalists; Raheem Adedoyin, a former Kwara State Commissioner for Information and Executive Board Member of the International Press Institute alongside immediate past Editor-in-chief of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Folorunsho Ojo joined well wishers to celebrate Oyewale Oyelola on his 40th birthday anniversary.
Oyewale Oyelola, the Founding Editor of FactualTimes Online, a Lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Vice President of Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) and the Secretary Association of Kwara Online Practitioners (ASKOMP) celebrated his birthday in grand style.
Speaking at the birthday party hosted on October 29, Adedoyin who served as the Chairman of the Occasion deserved the celebrant a creative journalist with high level of brilliance and a community leader.
Adedoyin applauded Oyelola for using his event to give back to the society by presenting Laptops and cash prizes to winners of Essay Competition.
He also congratulated parents of the celebrant for raising a son who is making them proud and adding value to the society.
He charged journalists to maintain the journalistic standards amidst the technological innovation redefining the profession.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, he organised an Essay Competition with the topic- ‘Roles of media in deepening democratic rule in Nigeria’ for selected secondary school students in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
In the individual category, Lawal Fatima of Senior Secondary School, Dani-Alu, emerged first with 76 points while Aminu Boluwatife of Senior Secondary School, Opolo, clinched second position with 70 points and the duo were rewarded with one laptop each. While Quozim Abdullahi came third with 65 points and received a cash prize of ₦20,000.
The Chairman of Ilorin South local government, Hon Majeed Podo and the Chairman Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP), Salihu Shola Taofeek presented the prizes to the winner.
Earlier, IT Expert from Digprom International, Ayobami Dunmoye trained students on how to develop digital skills to break barriers in the digital age. He encouraged students to use the internet for profitable activities that would add value to their lives.
In his remarks, the Founding Managing Editor of FactualTimes, Oyewale Oyelola said the event was part of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility and another way of building future leaders.
Oyelola recounted how he won essay competitions in Ile-Ife, Osun in 2001 and SAK National Competition in 2002, noting that the experience triggers his passion for journalism.
He implored students to prioritize their education, make necessary sacrifices to excel at young age and avoid social vices.
Dignitaries at the event include the Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Mutiu Yusuf, the Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti Chapter, Maruf Abdulrasaq and Top Media Executives in Kwara State.
