SEETH thou a man who is diligent and committed to the charter of his assigned post of responsibility? He will not be scorned neither will he be ridiculed rather, he will be respected and called upon in high places to be  honoured  for doing that which is pleasing to God almighty and his people on earth.

This axiom aptly suits  the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation ( NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, who is one of the four stars in the Nigerian firmament who are worthy to be nominated for the Tribune Award 2012.

Pointers to this evolved last week Thursday 23 February 2012, when the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Tribune tittles, Reverend Sam Adesua, led the management team of the organisation on a courtesy visit to Chief Olusegun Runsewe in his office in Abuja in preparation for the award ceremony slated for Thursday 22 March 2012 at the Ladi Kwali Hall,  Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

Conversing with Chief Runsewe, Reverend Adesua informed  the Director-General that “We are here in furtherance of your nomination as the ‘Most Enterprising Director- General’ in Nigeria in the year 2012. Your nomination is borne out of your agrarian commitment to the charter of your assigned post of responsibility, which distinguishes you from the motley crowd of Director-Generals in Nigeria.

“We have watched how you have turned a hitherto recluse parastatal into a vibrant and veritable corporation which has now become the toast and pride of the nation through your pro- activeness and quick response to contemporary issues as related to the tourism sector.

“We have, in the same vein, noticed the aggressive passion with which you have been driving the goal of making tourism a household issue of discussion that is understood and appreciated by all.

“We cannot forget in a jiffy how you bailed Nigeria from generational shame and international ridicule during the 2011 Independence Day celebration, when Nigeria  could not celebrate the usual Independence celebration owing to threats and counter threats by some evil groups.

“We remember that it was only the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC) under your supervision that thought it wise to  organise a pre independence carnival at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the very ground where the Union Jack was lowered for the hoisting of the Nigeria’s Green-white-Green, flag.

“It is in the record that if not for that singular celebration, the world would have believed that truly Nigeria was under a serious siege of terrorists, to the extent that it could not host a ceremony to celebrate or mark its Independence Day.

“And, to God be the glory, the world saw that Nigeria celebrated and rejoiced at Tafawa Balewa Square; not only just that, but adding value of great dimension was the 70-year-old  woman who witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack  and who was also at the Tafawa Balewa Square that day.”

Reverend Adesua disclosed that the Award Screening Committee unveiled  over 48 achievements of note and worthy innovations which Chief Runsewe had wrought in NTDC in the last 48 months, adding that “Your performance and achievements at the NTDC which have helped to enhance and boost  the image and the economy of Nigeria and Nigerians  earned you the Tribune Award as the Most Enterprising Director-General in Nigeria in 2011.”

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Tribune pointed out that “It is one of our duties to showcase the best of  people by acknowledging what they have done; not only to commend them for doing what is good but to serve as morale booster and encourage others to emulate them.”

Reverend Adesua disclosed that “The nomination of four of you; Senator David Mark, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Alhaji Dangote and you as Tribune Award winners has been lauded and  commended by members of the public  asserting that all nominees are not only worthy of the award but men of impeccable integrity.”

He urged Chief Runsewe to see the award as not just ‘a mere form of  commendation and appreciation, but  a means of  putting you on your toes. Never look back or relent at doing those things that ensured your being nominated as one of the four stars in the Nigeria firmament.”

Responding, the visibly elated Chief Runsewe expressed his gratitude to the management of the Tribune for finding him worthy of the award.  “Honestly, I must confess that I am humbled. I could not believe my eyes when I read the letter from the management of the Tribune organisation informing me of being picked as the Most Enterprising Director-General in Nigeria. I must reveal it now, that I immediately went on my knees and thanked God for his mercies and favour to me.

“I have to do that for many reasons. First, Tribune is not known for giving frivolous awards. Secondly, this is a newspaper founded on truth, courage and fairness by one of the most outstanding personalities that ever passed through the country called Chief Obafemi Awolowo.  Thirdly, this is the oldest surviving privately owned newspaper which operates outside Lagos since 1949, and is still vibrant, ever relevant,waxing stronger and outliving other newspapers founded with the sole aim of diminishing or truncating the journalism vision  and strides of Tribune. Fourthly , Tribune is the  newspaper that could be described as a nationalist, for it is the only surviving newspaper out of all that fought for the independence of Nigeria. Fifthly, Tribune Newspaper is regarded as the voice of  South-West. And that is the truth.

“So, how do you want me to feel if such a newspaper with this overwhelming credentials now found me worthy to be nominated and declared as “The Most Enterprising Director-General in Nigeria?”

“Of course, I am happy,grateful,  elated and I thank God. I will cherish this  award for the rest of my life.”

Chief Runsewe dazzled the visiting Tribune management team by his deep mastery of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s  vision and contributions to the development of Nigeria, with particular reference to the phenomenal capacity development in the South-West.

“My brothers, no reasonable Yoruba man will underestimate or relegate any of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacies . He is one of  the greatest legends that have passed through the world . He is a visionary without an equal. Do you know what Chief Awolowo said when he was asked why he had to inaugurate the First TV station in Africa? He said, ‘I cannot allow my people to be unenlightened! ‘The TV is a medium of education, entertainment, information  and enlightenment. I  remember when making a comment on the Liberty Stadium. Chief Obafemi  Awolowo was said to have remarked, that ‘very soon, sports will rule the world and I will not be happy if the time comes and my people are left behind! ‘And what is happening now? You will see that He is not just an ordinary person; such a man’s legacies should not only be conserved but preserved and protected for generations yet unborn.”

Chief Runsewe commended the Tribune management for striving hard to hoist the flag of the organisation above the shoulder despite many odds,  adding that “ I have studied the trend of fate of the Tribune as a newspaper in Nigeria. I have noticed its indefatigability and never-say-die aura.

Tribune is a conqueror newspaper which has always overcome any tribulation no matter where it emanated from. Nobody or any organisation has ever survived a tiff with the Tribune. Not because of the sharpness of the pen of the people there in nor influence but just because the paper is founded on truth, courage, just, and  fairness. No conspiracy, no matter its intensity can ever subdue the Tribune spirit.”

He thanked the Tribune  team made up of Messers Sunday Olajide, The Managing Editor, Weekend tittles and Chairman Tribune Award Committee,Wale Ojo-Lanre, Taiwo Adisa,Olawale Rasheed, all members of the Tribune Award Committee, Okey Muogbo, Tribune Abuja Head of Bureau, Idowu Samuel and Abayomi Dada, Tribune Abuja Advert manager and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Tribune Titles for  the visit.

“And finally, Sir, kindly convey my warmest regards to Mama HID Awolowo and the great Awolowo family for sustaining this legacy of Baba whose its glory now shines and showers rains of recognition and appreciation on people like us. This is one of the reasons why Papa Obafemi Awolowo will remain  immortal and an Avatar forever. I thank you all for this kind gesture.”