By Our Reporter
Publisher of Kayegbo International Magazine, Chief Morakinyo Ogunniyi has eulogised top Nigerian personalities who stood solidly behind him in establishing and sustaining his Magazine in the past 30 years.
This is contained in a statement of appreciation, released in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Magazine which also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State creation.
He particularly paid glowing tributes to the likes of eminent Lawyer and elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti First Lady, Bisi Fayemi, former Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Amb. Eniola Ajayi, late Owa Ooye of Okemesi-Ekiti, Oba Adedoja Oni and Hon. Dapo Kolawole among others.
Full detail of the appreciation notes, titled : “APPRECIATION MESSAGE : 30 YEARS OF KAYEGBO MEDIA OUTFIT –
Giving Honour to My Benefactors,” is reproduced hereunder:
“It is not good to forget the source. Today, as i mark 30 years of consistent service in media practice and tourism promotion, i deem it fit to give honour to my benefactors who sowed precious seeds into my media outfit which I started in Lagos three decades ago”.
“As a writer and film actor, by divine inspiration, I started my journey with the passion to promote my Jerusalem – Okemesi-Ekiti, the home of intellectuals.
With a family friend, Mr. Dele Adeleye, popularly known as BASAAD Printer of blessed memory at Ketu, Lagos, i published a community magazine, “Okemesi Today Magazine” and “Itesiwaju Okemesi Newsletter”.
” This humble beginning was strongly supported by our able benefactors and friends: Mr. Idowu Fakorede (OBOT), Mr. Sola Ajibade Abraham Addey Ajala, Prof. Adeyemi Daramola, Prof ‘Kunle Adegun, Prince Idowu Dada and Prince Kola Folayan, former Chairman of Okemesi Improvement Union, Lagos Branch.
Thereafter, as a talented theatre practitioner and film actor who featured in many epic movies like Ori Olokun and Fopomoyo Part 2 produced by Oba Asa, Chief Jimoh Aliu (MFR), I produced a documentary titled “Itan Isedale Okemesi” and a home video “Woli Lukuluku (Fake Prophet)”. The movie brought me to limelight at Idumota Home Video Market in Lagos, selling over 5,000 copies within 4 days of its release.
Chief Samuel Olaniyi Bolarinde, Chairman of Vitaform and now Asiwaju of Okemesi, always encouraged me with financial support because of my love and passion for promoting Okemesi in all I do.
During the reign of His Royal Majesty, Oba Edward Adedoja Oni, Aroyinkeye I, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, who took active part in the creation of Ekiti State, Kabiyesi discovered me as a talented son who was always promoting Okemesi community through my then Irinkerindo Kayegbo bilingual publication, now Kayegbo International – a magazine registered with an ISSN Number under the National Library and powered by Kayegbo Communications.
He ordered me to relocate my business from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to promote the new State under Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the pioneer Executive Governor of Ekiti State. Kabiyesi Owa Ooye also installed me as the first Amuludun of Okemesi Kingdom in the year 2000 in recognition of my efforts in selling Okemesi culture and tourism potentials to the world.
When I settled in Ado-Ekiti, living with my uncle and mentor in theatre practice, Chief Jimoh Aliu for years, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejugbe Aladesanmi II, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, got a copy of my publication during the annual Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti, promoting the new Ekiti State.
He sent it to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN in Ibadan and asked him to encourage my media outfit. Immediately, Aare Afe Babalola responded and released N250,000 as seed money to me. That encouragement made Kayegbo International become the foremost community-based magazine in Ekiti State till today.
Former Governors Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Engr. Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former First Lady Erelu Bisi Fayemi, former Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Ambassador Eniola Ajayi and Hon. Dapo Kolawole’s family have been like mothers and fathers to me. They always patronized my publications with adverts just to encourage me to remain in Ekiti.
There are many other personalities i have not mentioned, and who have always supported me in various ways.
As we commemorate my 30 years of service as a consistent media man who has contributed to the development of media and tourism promotion in Ekiti State, particularly Okemesi – the Tourist haven of Africa, some of these great benefactors will be honoured with Special Awards, in recognition of their patriotism, outstanding achievements and exemplary contributions to humanity.
Thank you all and God bless you.
E-Signed:
*Chief Morakinyo Ogunniyi (Kayegbo)
CEO, Kayegbo Media Outfit
Amuludun of Okemesi Kingdom / Publisher, Kayegbo International & Founder, Ekiti Parapo Museum, Okemesi-Ekiti
