By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Foremost philanthropist, Chief Kessington Adebutu, yesterday urged the media to continue in their strive to advance democracy as the fourth estate of the realm.

Speaking yesterday at Muson Centre, the venue of his investiture with a fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Adebutu noted that of all the ‘four’ arms of government, only the press “gets too careful”.

The NIJ, the first Nigerian monotechnic for studies in Mass Communication, organised that fellowship as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary.
The multi decorated lotto merchant popularly known nationwide as ‘Baba Ijebu’, expressed his delight at bagging the award sanctioned by the International Press Institute (IPI).

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, noted the role of the media in entrenching democracy in the country, especially through the containment of military rule.

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Also speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the governing council of the Institute and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, lauded Adebutu as the recipient of the fellowship.

He noted that though there had been several awardees before Adebutu, including himself, the philanthropist was the first to be sanctioned by the IPI.

Osoba said there was no controversy in the selection of Adebutu as the winner, noting that the NIJ had produced several standard beaters in journalism.

The provost of the Institute, Gbenga Adefaye, traced the history of the school founded with international backing, describing it as a public trust.

He noted that academic programmes have since expanded from regular programmes in training in journalism to public relations, advertising and other in-service training, including for photo-journalism and marketing.