It was a defining moment of celebration and professional acknowledgement as Engr. (Dr.) Adedeji Ashiru, the Managing Director/CEO of the Ogun–Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), took center stage at the NewsDirect 15th Anniversary and Awards Ceremony.
In an evening dedicated to celebrating resilience and excellence, Dr. Ashiru was bestowed with the prestigious “Award of Exemplary Leadership in Public Service.”
The honour recognizes his rapid and radical transformation of the OORBDA into a vibrant engine of water resource innovation and agricultural growth across the South-West.
Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Ashiru has been credited with redefining the operational compass of the Authority.
Citations at the event highlighted his ability to wake dormant systems, noting that under his watch, modern irrigation schemes have flourished, and solar-powered boreholes now dot the landscape of Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, and Osun States, effectively tackling water scarcity and boosting food security.
Described as a “lodestar glittering with purpose,” Dr. Ashiru’s tenure was lauded for aligning perfectly with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of river pollution control and land encroachment management.
Setting the tone for the awards, the Publisher and Executive Director of NewsDirect, Prince Mathew Adesegun Ibiyemi emphasized that while the media plays a critical role as a watchdog, it must also serve as a platform to amplify genuine success stories amidst national challenges.
Justifying the selection of awardees like Dr. Ashiru, Prince Ibiyemi stated, “We believe that a nation that only knows how to criticise will eventually forget how to build. Despite the economic challenges and negative reports we see daily, there are institutions and individuals getting it right.”
“We must be a country that knows how to applaud excellence. Let me be clear: this is not an endorsement of bad behavior… But our duty as a media house is to be objective, to call out errors when they occur and also to boldly celebrate impactful initiatives when they succeed.”
Dr. Ashiru’s recognition is backed by a formidable pedigree. A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a COREN-registered professional, he holds a Doctorate in Engineering and a Master’s from Cranfield University, with further executive distinctions from Harvard Business School and the London Graduate School.
Beyond his administrative strides, the award also acknowledged his humanitarian contributions through the EDA Empowerment Foundation, which continues to support widows, farmers, and vulnerable households.
As NewsDirect celebrated 15 years of “defining narratives” and evolving from a modest website to a multi-channel media powerhouse, Dr. Ashiru stood out as a symbol of the sustainable progress and visionary leadership the platform seeks to promote for a better Nigeria.
Other dignitaries who attended the event includes the Lagos State Governor represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Lanre Adetokunbo Bajulaye, The Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof) Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege,
Chairman of Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited, Sir Olu Okeowo, Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr (Dr) Adedeji Ashiru, Hon.Benjamin Olabinjo, Member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank ably represented by the Executive Director, Risk Management, Kevin Ugwuoke, amongst other distinguished personalities.
