One of Nigeria’s leading faith-based organisations, Al-Fathu-l-Qareeb has bestowed a merit award on The Nation Newspaper correspondent, Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo in recognition of his commitment to community development, dedication to societal education and promotion of Islam through the media.
Alhaji Adebanjo who doubles as the National Secretary of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) and also Vice Chairman, Nigerian Automobile Journalists Association, received the prestigious award on Sunday at the Award and Fund Raising Ceremony organised by the Ilasamaja Branch of the organisation.
It would be recalled that Alhaji Adebanjo was in July, honoured with a merit award by Al-Mu’minaat (the Believing women organisation) for his dedication to work and commitment to spreading Islam with the instrument of the media.
This latest award, the second in five months, was organised by The Qareeb Family and had in attendance dignitaries cut across the state including the former Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef as the guest lecturer and the National Missioner of the society, Fadeelatu Sheikh (Dr.) FadluRahman Kehinde Tijani, as well as other executive council members of the society.
In his lecture, Hon. Dr. AbdulHakeem admonished guests to remain steadfast in servitude to their Creator and affect people around them and their communities positively.
Speaking with Muslim News, a delighted Alhaji Adebanjo, who did not hide his excitement, thanked the organisation for honouring him.
He said, “I’m indeed delighted and excited. When you are doing something in your neighborhood and you think people are not noticing you and a group comes and decides that you deserve to be honoured. This is something that delights you because you don’t do it for people to see you but for Allah and humanity. I think for people to decide to honour you, is worthwhile and that’s why I’m happy to join them here.
“Just like the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola said which has become a slogan that ‘the reward for hard work is more work’. Now that my activities have been noticed, it means I have to double up.
“I have to ensure I carry people along. Community work is what we need to embrace. We won’t call the government to come build our community for us. We are to do it and it is when we do, the government will come around to assist us. To this Organisation, I say jazaakumullahu khayran. They have shown they notice people doing things worthwhile in the society,” he buttressed.
The National Secretary of MMPN also called on all to be up to duty towards developing their communities and shun all forms of lackadaisical attitudes.
According to him, “When you see something in your community not right and you feel not concerned, it won’t augur well. We all need to come around and gather for community development. We don’t need to wait for government.
“If we show lackadaisical attitudes, it would affect us all in one way or the other. We need to come together as Allah and the Prophet have taught us. It starts from the homes, then to the communities, to the local government level, to the state and from there, we clean the country as a whole. Before we know, the country is developed,” he emphasised.
Happily married with lovely children, Tajudeen Adebanjo is a dedicated journalist with a capability to write interesting stories without bias for any party. He has undergone several media trainings in Nigeria, Egypt and the United Kingdom including the ones organised by the British Council.
Since he joined The Nation newspaper in 2006, he has covered several beats, which earned him a title of Utility Reporter. Adebanjo is the youngest reporter in the newspaper to head two desks; Motoring (From 2010 till date) and Society (From 2010 till 2014). He is currently coordinating Motoring Desk for The Nation newspaper.
As a crime correspondent, his knack for reporting breaking news stood him out in the newsroom. He is a quick learner and he builds robust relationships with colleagues and editors.
In the course of his work, he has received commendation letters and awards.
He is a Media Ambassador of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and a member of the Media Committee of the Jamatul Nasril Islami (JNI). He is also a member of the Media Committee of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) and Media Team of Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, among others.
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