Retired Brigadier General receives Nigerian Living Heroes Award, calls for responsible journalism and support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
EDE, OSUN STATE — Retired Brigadier General Dr. Biodun Bashir Adewinmbi has called on Nigerian journalists to promote religious tolerance, national unity, peaceful coexistence and responsible journalism, declaring that humanity should always take precedence over religious differences.
Adewinmbi made the call while accepting his appointment as Patron of the National Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) at a ceremony where he was also presented with the prestigious Nigerian Living Heroes Award.
The retired military officer, who expressed profound gratitude to the leadership and members of NACJ for the recognition, described the honour as a call to greater service, selfless leadership and commitment to national development.
He said he was particularly delighted that the Association recognised his philanthropic disposition, humanitarian contributions and commitment to peaceful coexistence irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences.
Adewinmbi, who is a Muslim, emphasised that his commitment to humanity transcends religious boundaries, stressing that Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths must learn to coexist in peace, mutual respect and brotherhood.
“Although I am a Muslim, I strongly believe that humanity comes before religion. My commitment to humanity has never been restricted by religious boundaries, and I do not believe in discrimination or segregation,” he stated.
His acceptance of the patronship of a Christian journalists’ organisation was widely symbolic of the possibility of building bridges across religious divides and strengthening interfaith understanding in Nigeria.
The newly installed Patron urged NACJ to remain steadfast in its commitment to professional ethics, responsible journalism, peacebuilding and the promotion of policies and programmes that would advance the country’s development.
He particularly encouraged members of the Association to objectively and constructively propagate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that the media has an important role to play in communicating government policies, reforms and developmental initiatives.
According to him, journalists must deploy their professional platforms to promote truth, patriotism, accountability, constructive engagement and the collective interest of the nation.
“The media remains a powerful instrument for national development. Therefore, I urge members of NACJ to use their professional platforms to promote truth, patriotism, accountability, constructive engagement and the collective interest of our nation,” he said.
He further assured the Association of his continued support, cooperation and commitment to its ideals, expressing optimism that the partnership would strengthen efforts towards national unity and humanitarian development.
Earlier, in his address, the National President of NACJ, Revd. Adeola Ogulade, described Adewinmbi as a distinguished Nigerian whose military career, public service, leadership qualities and contributions to national development deserved recognition.
Ogulade explained that the decision to appoint a Muslim as Patron of a Christian-oriented journalists’ association was deliberate, reflecting the Association’s conviction that integrity, compassion, justice, peace and service to humanity are values that transcend religious affiliations.
He noted that the appointment was intended to send a strong message that Christians and Muslims could work together in unity, mutual respect and common purpose for the advancement of Nigeria.
The NACJ President also used the occasion to appreciate Adewinmbi’s partnership and support towards the Association’s annual conference around the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State.
According to him, the conference features humanitarian interventions, including visits to orphanages, homes for the elderly, correctional facilities and hospitals, as well as street-feeding programmes for vulnerable and destitute persons.
Ogulade maintained that journalism should not be restricted to reporting societal challenges but should also contribute practically to addressing them.
He further disclosed that the Association was working towards acquiring a permanent national secretariat, explaining that it currently operates from accommodation generously provided by a church.
He appealed for the Patron’s guidance, goodwill and possible assistance, either directly or through facilitating partnerships, towards securing permanent office accommodation for the Association.
The NACJ President expressed confidence that Adewinmbi’s experience, wisdom and patronage would strengthen the organisation’s commitment to responsible journalism, religious harmony, good governance and humanitarian service.
Adewinmbi, popularly known as Baba Oba of Ekuro Land, is expected to bring his wealth of military, leadership and public-service experience to bear on the activities and aspirations of the Association.
The ceremony ended with renewed calls for interfaith understanding, national cohesion and the deployment of journalism as an instrument for peace, accountability and sustainable development.
In accepting the honour, Adewinmbi reaffirmed his commitment to building bridges across religious divides, declaring his belief in a united Nigeria where people of different faiths can live together as one people with a common destiny.
“One Nigeria, One People, One Destiny.”
