EULOGIES AS ASAKO MULTIMEDIA LAUNCHES THIRD MAGAZINE WITH POLITICAL DEBATE

The Asako Multimedia group, owners of Asako Reporters, Asako Magazine and Asako Tv/Radio (2023 Best online radio in Ibarapa), has been applauded for their resilience, commitment and consistencies since three years of her existence in promoting telecommunication system of Ibarapa and Oyo State.

It is recalled that the Ibarapa media link was officially launched on 26th December 2021 and metamorphosed into three tributaries: “ Asako Reporters, Asako Magazine and Asako Tv/Radio” within a year. In 2023, Asako Tv/Radio won the Best online radio in Ibarapa at the Ibarapa Merit award, within a year of establishment. Despite the challenge of self-sponsorship, media link have been striving hard in information dissemination on happenings in Ibarapa to the word through her balanced and prompt news release.

Prior to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the media link successfully organized political debate for candidates into the office Oyo State House of Assembly and Federal House of Representatives for Ibarapa Central and North Constituency with official launch of the second edition of Asako Magazine. Interactions between members of the constituents and elected Honorable representing Ibarapa Central and North federal constituency, Hon. Dr. Bayo Adepoju who honored and participated at the debate still remained a very good guide in discharge of good dividends to the constituency.

Saturday, 13th April 2024 was another record breaking moment for the media link and Ibarapa land when she launched her third edition of Asako Magazine with political debate for Local Chairmanship candidates in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa Norh Local Government.

The event was witnessed by traditional rulers across Ibarapa land lead by the Olu of Igboora Oba Jimoh Titiloye, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, Rector of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Mr. Jide Fagbemi Dominic and various personalities.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi applaud the initiative of Asako Multimedia’s laudable efforts in promoting Ibarapa’s image globally. In his advice for chairmanship candidates in attendance, he urged them to get prepared for task ahead if eventually emerged.

He advised them to always play politics with simplicity, devoid of violence and rancor, as according to him, “no position is permanent, leadership is transient”.

The Managing Director, who spoke on behalf of the management team, Alhaji (Prince) Tayo Akinyemi in his address tagged: “GRATITUDE”, appreciated God for the journey so far.

“He was so emotional when he apologized to Traditional rulers, Ibarapa people and viewers monitory the debate online on behalf of candidates of APC and PDP in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North whom he claimed to have been notified since two months and equally gave assurance of attendance until the commencement of the program, according to him, “such act sends bad signal to future of Ibarapa land at this stage of advanced political leadership”.

Akinyemi lamented the poor attitudes of politicians and political office holders in Ibarapa towards indigenous media houses, according to him:

”Despite using our hard earned resources to publish their news at no cost from them, they prefer paying foreign blogs who charges them huge amount before publication, forgetting they are using resources meant for us to promote media links of other constituents. This attitude is bad, they need to retrace their steps on this”

In his speech, Akinyemi said:

“I feel a very unusual sensation – if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude”…Benjamin Disraeli.

Gratitude is one of the most important things in the world, this is why the 2024 edition of Asako Magazine (third edition) will be tagged mainly on “Gratitude” to our readers, followers and viewers on Asako Magazine, Asako online News and Asako Radio/Tv respectively.

“A dream came to pass, precisely December 26, 2021 when the first edition of Asako Reporters and Asako magazine was launched. Few months after, Asako Radio/Tv was birthed from the duo.

“With the prayers and supports of you (our esteem viewers and readers), we were able to progressed up to the third edition of the news tabloid and media links under the umbrella of “Asako Multimedia Concept”. This is why on behalf of the media team, I am first registering our heartfelf gratitude.

“Going back to memory lane, immediately after the Dahormy war that ravaged most Ibarapa towns around 1900, our forefathers who are commited, hardworking and industrious in unison faithfully to initiate developmental projects we now enjoy. Their earlier period was tagged:”E-SE-WERE-E-JADE”.

The cooperation enjoyed this period in apparent reference to the town criers mobilization slogan was reported fantastic. In the 1930s, Igboora people were able to link up road with their kith and kins in Idere, Ayete and Tapa. The Ofiki Bridge delayed the link up with Igangan till a later date in March, 1955 when the first Lorry arrived at Igangan to the delight of everybody (culled from Conscience Magazine, Vol.001 publication of September 1989). This was the spirit that must be rebirth in Ibarapa region.

“In reference to the second edition, “ASAKO RADIO/Tv”, within a year won the “Best online radio in Ibarapa”. We worked tirelessly to have a stable frequency before the first quarter of 2023, but highly constraint of influencers, our political office holders that could have been encouraging prefers patronage of foreign blogs and media house. We have ever since our establishment survived through the spirit of “sacrifice to the Community”.

“Asako online News blog has also been doing fantastic in our unbiased and balanced reportage.

“We have over the year showcased the beauty of Ibarapa, Oyo State and Nigeria through our online reportage; plans are on top gear to continue with our educative, cultural, community development, political and sporting programs in showcasing Ibarapa Heritage across the globe.

“We have successfully trained over 30 indigenous Students that should have travelled far for their Industrial Attachments.

“Our programs has always been on sacrifice without sponsorship, we implore individuals and corporate bodies to partner with us through sponsorship of our programs, only this you can do to jointly move Ibarapa forward.

“This third edition contains major records ranging from contentious traditional matters, community matters, opinions and majorly politics as we approach the 2024 Oyo State Local Government Elections with focus on Ibarapa local governments. It is a historical tabloid necessary in every Archive as guide for upcoming generations.

“Our appreciation goes to our royal fathers: HRM, Oba Jimoh Titiloye (Olu of Igboora), Onidere of Idere, Asigangan of Igangan, Elempe of Tapa, Asawo of Ayete, Oluaso of Iberekodo,Babaaso of Iberekodo-Igbole ,Onisaganun of Saganun, Onidofin of Idofin and Pako Council of Chiefs for their royal supports in the last one year.

We appreciate our fathers and Mothers for standing by us all the time : Chief (Dr) Amos Adepoju, Alhaja Ranti Adedigba, Olori Amudat Akinyemi and others numerous; we are so grateful.

“I sincerely appreciate the support, resilient, sacrifice and understanding of the crew: Okegbenro Kabir, Rafiu Mohamed, Abass Adesope, Ojeniyi Roqeeb, Ogunjimi Samod and Aare Olayinka Afefeoro, as we are all serving the community, the community will serve us the more, God bless you all” he concluded.

Speaking at the occasion, the Royal Host and the Olu of Igboora on behalf of Ibarapa Traditional Council frown frankly on the attitudes of politicians, especially the not too good gesture of candidates who declined the invitation. He applaud the consistency of Asako Multimedia in promoting the image of Ibarapa land. According to the monarch, each edition of Asako magazine is highly essential in every home as it is rich in tradition and future referencing, he disclosed that the latest edition is high in quality and hope for a better subsequent volumes.

The Ashigangan of Igangan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rafiu Olaniyi Adeniyi Ariwoola (Aako II), acknowledge the brilliant innovations of Asako multimedia, most especially towards propagation of culture and tradition of Ibarapa land. He urged politicians in Ibarapa land to always be cautious of programs like this.

In his own royal remarks, the Elempe of Tapa advised Ibarapa Youths to always propagate peaceful information that can promote unity of Ibarapa region. He commend the efforts of Asako multimedia in bringing Ibarapa together under one umbrella.

Meanwhile, candidate of Labour Party in the forthcoming local government election in Ibarapa North Local Government, Hon. Bolanle Adepoju outshines other candidates as he was physically present to honour the public call for the debate. According to Adepoju: “Who am I not to answer the public call? The Public is higher than any individual, no matter your position”.

Participants following the program online and those present at the program has however generally condemn the absence of candidates contesting for chairmanship seat in Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke (PDP) and Hon. Waliu Egunbambi, as Hon. Lateef Akorede (PDP) and Hon. Adeniran (APC) were unavoidably absent for the debate program.

According to the organizers, only the PDP aspirants from the two local government took permission to attend an emergency meeting with the Governor (as claimed) few hours to the commencement of the program.