*Crown University, United States, crowns’ OTUMU Doctorate Degree in Investigative Journalism, Received Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) Award in a historic ceremony
*Celebrities, government officials, media moguls, captains of industries witness occasion
*Attendees include HRH Olori Janet Afolabi (Queen of Apomu Land, a former CNN African Journalist of the Year Award Winner-Business category), Declan Opalaeke (a former CNN African Journalist of the Year Winner-Health category), Kayode Ajala (renowned youngest editor, Hints magazine); Coker Onita (former publisher of TODAY’S Choice Magazine), Dr. Ngozi Omambala, LLCI, Chairperson, veteran journalist, Charles Okogene, BBC News crew, Arise TV; Channels TV and many more dignitaries
*BY SAMSON SHOAGA/GROUP Managing EDITOR, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER INC USA, Lagos State/Nigeria
IT WAS THE TALK OF THE TOWN. Saturday, July 26, 2025, and Sunday, July 27, 2025, are the weekends Nigerians will not forget in a hurry, for a long time to come. These are the days history were made in the halls of posterity in Africa’s most populous black nation in the world. Those are the days, an American A-List varsity, Crown University, all the way from Delaware, bestowed a Doctorate Degree of Letters (D. Litt) in Investigative Journalism on George Elijah Otumu, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER’S Executive Editor & Group Managing Director, and a ‘Welcome Home Party’ followed the following day, after almost 20 years residency in the United States of America.
In the premises of the Gallery Hall, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Guest House, as early as 8:00am in the morning, crème-de-la-crème, newsmakers in all walks of life streamed-in ahead of a ceremony slated to kick-off at 11:00am.
By the time the clock ticks 10:30am, the entire hall was full, and there seems to be no more space for other invited guests, families or friends of all the awardees to have a sitting position. As such, a makeshift sitting capacity extension was made for people by the entrance of the Gallery Hall.
The entire professionalism of the event showed that the Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development played a great host to the historic ceremony in Lagos State. Not surprised that every news channels and weekend media publications in Nigeria a week after then, are still celebrating the day in their news report.
Highpoint of the ceremony was when George Elijah Otumu, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER’S Executive Editor & Group Managing Director, 2025 Global Recognition WORLD CLASS JOURNALISM Award winner in the United States (first feat by any African journalist), received Doctorate Degree (D. Litt) in Investigative Journalism, the powerful Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, was bestowed Doctorate Degree, highly-intelligent Executive Secretary, Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA) in Government House got honoured with Doctorate Degree; highly-cerebral Group Head, Accounts & Finance, Komolafe Taiwo got his Doctorate Degree Award and other awardees received theirs in a standing ovation after citations were read respectively. Group pictures followed.
Attendees include HRH Olori Janet Afolabi (Queen of Apomu Land, a former CNN African Journalist of the Year Award Winner-Business category), Declan Opalaeke (a former CNN African Journalist of the Year Winner-Health category), Kayode Ajala (renowned youngest editor, Hints magazine); Coker Onita (former publisher of TODAY’S Choice Magazine), Dr. Ngozi Omambala, LLCI, Chairperson, veteran journalist, Charles Okogene, BBC News crew, Arise TV; Channels TV and many more dignitaries.
The following day, Sunday, July 27, 2025, all roads led to Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos State-especially Oriri Restaurant & Bar, where top Nigerian musicians, media colleagues and friends of Otumu had showed up in colours to identify with one of their own and celebrate with him.
Seye Kehinde, one of Nigeria’s most famous publishers of-all-times, was in attendance, Felix Duke, Nigeria’s reggae dancehall superstar made it in person, King of the Pen, Richlist magazine CEO, Mike Cerutti ‘Lacozani’ Osagie was dressed to the hilt, Afro Juju Sir Shina Peters’ younger brother, Yomi staged a live-concert, Mrs. Mary Otumu, Naija Standard Newspaper’s Press Secretary North America & Director of Administration was visibly present, Mrs. Susie Onwuka (a successful entrepreneur) was present and lots more dignitaries.
The ‘Welcome Party’ came to a climax during the celebrant’s dance, group pictures with all the invites. For everyone that attended the event, they made for an encore and wished the party never ended.
DONATE TO HELP BUILD A SPECIAL APPS FOR JOURNALISTS AGAINST LIVER ELEVATION & KIDNEY FAILURE:
CERTAINLY, Good journalism costs a lot of money. Without doubt, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. We are ready to hold every corrupt government accountable to the citizens. To continually enjoy free access to the best investigative journalism in Nigeria, we are requesting of you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavor.”
By contributing to NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all without fear or favor.
Your donation is voluntary — please decide how much and how often you want to give. For offline donation, email: letters@nigeriastandardnewspaper.com or call +2348037128048 (Nigeria) or +16825834890 (United States of America)
donation
