A veteran journalist, Ismail Omipidan, has been bestowed with was at the weekend bestowed with a merit award by the Abuja Branch of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society (ADS) of Nigeria.
Omipidan is the former Chief Press Secretary(CPS) to the immediate past governor of Osun state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The event, held Sunday in Abuja, was part of activities lined up to mark the centenary anniversary of the association.
The highpoint of the occasion was the donation of N4.6 million for the development of the mosque and promotion of its activities by Omipidan’s bosses, friends and colleagues.
Speaking at the occasion, the Abuja branch chairman of the society, Alhaji Kabir Olayiwola, said the merit award was bestowed on Omipidan in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the ADS in particular, and Islam as a whole.
Omipidan, who currently serves as a media aide to the minister, was accompanied to the event by his wife, Hajia Omolola, his senior colleagues at his place of work, seasoned journalists, friends and family members.
Prominent among them are former Osun State Finance Commissioner and Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, technical aide to the minister, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, MD/CEO, Salam Takaful Insurance Company, Alhaji Kunle Kasim and his wife, Managing Editor Northern Operations The Nation Newspapers Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Chairman Editorial Board Blueprint Newspapers Hajia Zainab Suleiman Okino and the editor, Abdulrahman A. Abdulrauf, and his wife, Hajia Rahmat.
Others are Deputy Editor Daily Trust Newspapers Isiaka Wakili, Executive Director (News) NTA Headquarters, Alhaji Ayo Adewuyi, represented by Alhaji Kayode Adeniyi, Asst. Director (News) and Head of News NTA Abuja Channel 5, Alhaji Sadiq Giwa, Alhaji Yakubu Mogaji, Omidan Deborah Adegbite, Mr. Solomon Ademosu, Mr. Sola Ajetunmobi, author, development consultant and lawyer, Hajia Titilope Omo Anifowose, Hajia Mairo Soba, Hajia Aisha Gambari, and executive members of Amani Sisters.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Omipidan, who appreciated all his guests, thanked Allah for counting him worthy to be among the honorees on the occasion of 100 years anniversary of the society.
He said: “I thank my wife for being very supportive over the years. I thank my bosses, led by Alhaji Oyebamiji on this occasion for coming to share in my thanksgiving to Allah, the creator and sustainer of the universe. I thank my Principal , Adegboyega Oyetola, for giving me the opportunity to serve. If he had not given me the opportunity, I would not have had the privilege of meeting Alhaji Oyebamiji and Prof. Fakinlede, both of whom stood solidly by me today.
“I appreciate my senior colleagues in the journalism profession and my uncle, Alhaji Kasim, his wife and all my friends and our friends for honouring me with their presence and for their financial contributions to the Mosque of the society and for the promotion of Islam. Their support means a lot to me.”
Commenting on the awardee, the MD of NIWA, Alhaji Oyebamiji described Omipidan as a man of character and core professional “who is very humble and decent.
“We are not surprised that he is being honoured today by Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abuja branch. You can see the quality of crowd around him, this shows the kind of person he is. This is why I have come to identify with him. I appreciate his wife too. Ismail married well and I can see her impact in his life.”
On his part, Prof. Fakinlede described Omipidan as a decent Muslim. He said “while in the office, he is always going downstairs to observe his prayers. This is my first time of attending an Islamic gathering and I came because of him. I am glad I came to honour him.”
