BY convention, recipients of honorary titles are justified through their actions either in their contributions to a deliberate course or by efforts towards promoting societal values.
An honorary degree by its meaning is an academic degree for which an institution has waived all of the usual requirements.
If you search the minds of average Practicing Journalists in Edo State, two men in this current dispensation of the Edo State Government would be granted a waiver for their ardent commitment
towards the journalism profession.
First, is the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu who for several years has embarked on an annual get-together for Journalists in the state.
The undertow is real and has been suggestive of a stirred wave among pen professionals who every December 20, yearly abandon their official duty for hours no matter how tight to attend this annual ritual.
No one wants to miss the breakfast with the Deputy governor as the aural winds stronger. The beauty is that the organizer is more than willing to continue to create this opportunity even after his tenure
Although there is a historical line that has continued to propagate his beliefs for Journalists, which is now symbolic to think of.
According to Comrade Shaibu, his life was spared during General Abacha’s regime when he was dumped in prison for protesting against the government.
Unlike his Superior, at Denis Osadebe avenue who by miles is perceived to forget those who gave him a ladder of success after climbing, throws the ladder away, he would have chosen to move on without remembering the efforts undertaken by the journalist to save his life.
Today, Comrade Shaibu consistently hosts Journalists for breakfast to show his gratitude.
For his belief and sensibility, one man seen as the bedrock of the current government who has affected positively many across the political divide, OSARODION OGIE was courted to conviction and since he became infected, has never stopped to make contributed efforts.
These two flowers, the Deputy Governor and Secretary to the State Government are the real trimmings and comrades in the eyes of the pen pushers, not that man who is always thinking of how to arm-twist journalists and turn their Secretariat to EMOWAA. All said God forbid!
Well, even though his recent attempt tends to suggest a treacherous act, Journalists would not forget in a hurry how he also rescued the system from the epileptic power supply that made the secretariat almost a bald point
Today, the extension of the Ossiomo power plant is evidenced at the NUJ secretariat, all thanks to him.
But, If he, must be trusted on the one hand not to give and on another hand take, he would have to completely steer clear of his contemplation on the SOLE SECRETARIAT of the Pen Pushers in the State.
Since Godwin Obaseki emerged as the Edo State Governor, no trace suggests that such opportunities annually offered to Journalists who are critical stakeholders by his deputy have been done by him.
For six years into his government, no brake light of the governor, unlike his predecessors who overtime fraternize when on duty with Journalists.
Comrade Philip Shaibu and Osarodion Ogie, have become two honorary Journalists, who can be trusted to sustain the fraternization with Pen Pushers.
