The Induction ceremony of the Hall of Grace(HOG)Magazine was held on Sunday 16th December 2018. The colourful ceremony was graced by HRM,the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi who was the Chairman of the occasion. HRMinducted the governor of Akwa-ibom state into the HOG hall of fame. Also,another prominent Nigerian,Chief MKO was also honored posthumously,and the Abiola family was on ground to celebrate their late patriarch.
Here are some photos from the ceremony.

Emerging report suggests that a former Honorable Minister of Information and Grand Custodian of the HoG Awards, Chief Alex Akinyele has thrown his weight behind the candidature of a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Chief Alex Akinyele, who recently celebrated his 80th Birthday in his residence in Lagos, declined an exclusive chat with several members of the press who thronged his residence to have him comment on state of the Nation. If he had commented, it would be the first he would in years, since the inception of President Mohammadu Buhari administration.

However, the former Minister has broken his silence when he personally signed a statement which appears no see like he his throwing his weight behind the restructuring call of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In the statement obtained from this platform, Chief Akinyele revealed that Atiku Abubakar is billed to Address the nation on how the restructuring he has continually advocated for will benefit the  South and the North. The Statement reads, “I have personally signed off and approved the fact that Alh. Atiku should speak to Nigerians through the platform of the HoG Awards holding on the 24th of June, 2018 in Lagos.

There is the need for every well meaning Nigerians to lend his voice behind Restructuring our Nation. We believe that the structure isn’t working the way we all expect it to. There is the urgent need to do this debate and make all Nigerians understand how restructuring will work, particularly our brothers and sisters from the North.

On why the Organization chose the former Vice President to Speak on Restructuring, Chief Akinyele said, ‘At HoG, we believe in sincerity. We have looked at those clamouring for restructuring and we have seen that the former Vice President is perhaps the most sincere. He has been clamouring for this even when he was in the ruling APC. He didn’t care whether he was on the saddle as president or not but he kept on clamouring that the APC shouldn’t jettison restructuring. Atiku has been very sincere. He isn’t using restructuring for politics. He appears to be calling for it because of patriotism and that is why he will be Addressing the nation on restructuring at the HoG Awards 8th Annual Session.

The event holds on the 24th of June. Distinguished Nigerians like Atiku Abubakar, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Bukola Saraki, Ben Bruce and Shehu Sani will be honored at the Awards Ceremony holding in Ikeja.

To reach the organizers, send a mail to hallofgrace@gmail.com , info@hogmedia.com.ng. @pasrup.

The HoG Awards has grown over the years in profile and has honored extremely notable Nigerians. However, what makes it thick and different is the fact that it doesn’t honor just anyone. You’d have to deserve it. The Awards team visits the state, constituency of a potential awardee and does due diligence and not rely on media reports. Find beneath a chat with its MD, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa. Enjoy…

Ade Kehinde: You are preparing for the 8th Annual Session of the HoG Awards. How does it make you feel?

Rupert Ojenuwa: Excited

Ade Kehinde: I understand that the awards will be inducting and decorating Vice President Atiku Abubakar into its hall of fame? Why Atiku?

Rupert Ojenuwa: I knew from when I sat for this interview that a question like this will be asked. The question I should have asked you is why not Atiku? You know, every time we hold our annual session, we tie the event to a particular national issue, hoping that we would be able to use the platform the awards offer to give voice to it. This year, we are looking at Democracy, Job Creation and Restructuring Call. If you look at those 3 critical issues, then the answer to your question pops at you. Atiku Abubakar has done creditably well in those three aspects-he was a fighter for the return of democracy, he is one of the highest private employer of labour and about the loudest advocate for restructuring.

Ade Kehinde: but doesn’t it bother you that he is seen to be corrupt?

Rupert Ojenuwa: This interview centers on our event not on Atiku Abubakar. Don’t make me his mouth piece or PR Manager.

Ade Kehinde: Yes, I know but he will be more or less a major center of attention during your awards this year. Shouldn’t that bother you then?

Rupert Ojenuwa: Anybody who accepts allegation as facts is only displaying ignorance. But the truth is that I was once in that shoe. I thought of Atiku not as being corrupt but that he is corruption itself but when we had the opportunity to do a research into his person, preparatory to our awards, we found out that, in no court of law has Atiku been condemned. Not in Nigeria and not anywhere else in the world. So what is anybody’s prove that he is corrupt except that somebody said so. I could call you a thief now. Does that make you one? Rather we saw that this man has been quietly empowering people, giving scholarships and undertaking community development. If every politician did that, even in their states and community alone, Nigeria would have been better than it is today. This is not about 2019, it is about what is right. Nigerians should jettison campaign of calumny and celebrate its own.

Ade Kehinde: But Obasanjo was very clear…and Atiku didn’t fight it at the time?

[b]Rupert Ojenuwa: You are correct in a sense. I also felt that way when I had the opportunity to deliver our nomination letter on behalf of the Chairman of our Board, Chief Alex Akinyele and then in an interview session. I asked him why he kept quiet when Obasanjo alleged that he was corrupt and he told me, ‘Rupert, you may not believe me but I was brought up properly…I was brought up to respect my elders and so I didn’t want to fight dirty and to join issues. Obasanjo was my boss and he did me a favour when in 1999, after everyone agreed to give him the ticket, I wasn’t expecting anything when he asked me to become his running mate. So, in the face of provocation and labels, I always remember that he is my elder, my former boss and that he picked me to be his running mate, that was a favor he did and I didn’t think I should be fighting him dirty. My politics has always been issue based and not name calling’. And let me add that last year, he gave a challenge that anyone who has evidence of corruption on him should put it forward. It is wrong to label a man corrupt simply because he is wealthy. If that should be the case then one of the most corrupt men in the world should be Bill Gate. Don’t you think so? [/b]

Ade Kehinde: Well, Atiku is…

Rupert Ojenuwa: Cuts in…No more Atiku, let’s dwell on the awards. If you want an interview on Atiku, fix another date. However, after diligent search, I have come to the conclusion that Atiku should be celebrated in Nigeria not vilified. I was in Adamawa and it will shock you what he has done in terms of employment, go to the South South and the impact is even more. A man who has several businesses to cater for the youths should be the one celebrated. Those who are bullionares without any known physical business are the ones to be probed for corruption. I’m sure you will agree with me.

Ade Kehinde: Would you care to mention (Laughs)

Rupert  Ojenuwa: You are one of them (Laughs)

Ade Kehinde: Your major attention this year is the Senate and its president?

Rupert Ojenuwa: Yes. The 8TH Senate under Bukola Saraki has done creditably well. They have scored many firsts. The level of proactivity of this Senate is phenomenal. The number of bills and motions, the number of corruption exposures, the number of critical national interventions even in the midst of face offs and perceived intimidation. We believe that the Senate President and his team are doing well and are deserving of honor.

Ade Kehinde: How do you feel about the many face offs and the impediments the Senate under Bukola Saraki has with the Federal Government of Buhari?

Rupert Ojenuwa: I think you have a clear desire to either make me a spokesman today or get me into trouble but I think you should know that the Senate isn’t supposed to be a rubber stamp. That they disagree once in a while with the Executive doesn’t necessarily make them into enemies. It is only about saying, we think this doesn’t serve the best interest of the nation and so we will not confirm, etc. That is the way democracy is supposed to be. Bukola Saraki for example was one of those who made the Senate stand down on the desire to impeach President Buhari. I think in his wisdom, he felt that wouldn’t serve a greater good. Shouldn’t he be applauded? I don’t see the Senate as impediment, I rather see it as a catalyst.

Ade Kehinde: Where and when is this event holding?

Rupert Ojenuwa: That’s what I expect to hear. In Lagos on the 24th of June.

Ade Kehinde: who are the awardees?

Rupert Ojenuwa: Alh. Atiku Abubakar, SP Bukola Saraki, Sen. Ben Bruce, Sen. Shehu Sanni and one or two governors.

Ade Kehinde: For participation and reservation?

Rupert Ojenuwa: Send a mail to hallofgrace@gmail.com or pasrup@yahoo.com, www.hogmedia.com.ng

Former Honorable Minister of Information and the Grand Custodian of the HoG Awards,

Hon. Chief (Dr.) Alex Akinyele has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will be

addressing Nigerians through the platform of the HoG Awards on the 24th of June 2018 in Ikeja. In a statement personally signed by him.

‘The subject of Nigeria’s restructuring is a very serious issue. If you look at it, several governments have come and gone and we still have a lot of challenges to grapple with in our nation. Doesn’t it show that something must be wrong with our structure.

Our nation needs to move forward. The challenges, as the day goes by look more daunting. It is time we have a rethink and embrace true federalism and since the former Vice President is a major advocate for true Federalism, I think it is proper to make him speak extensively on the subject. For example, Nigerians- Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba needs to know how restructuring will benefit them in the short and long run. The reason why we have a lot of people kick against it is because they are unsure as to whether it will be beneficial in the short and long run to them. It is important we have a holistic look at it.” We may be allowing a few questions to be asked by the press on Restructuring so that everyone is clear on the subject.

The Awards will during its 8th Annual Session later this month parade some of Nigeria’s finest. It will for example be honoring Gombe State governor Ibrahim Hassan Dakwambo as Governor of the Year for his immense contribution to the development of Gombe state. Dakwambo has performed creditably well in several sectors of Gombe. He has practically transformed Gombe to a modern state . His strides in education and health is there for all to see" HoG Awards is about honoring achievers and performers . It isn’t about honoring just anybody. We have done this for 8 year and counting and so we are always guided by performance and that is why you find that HoG Awards is one of the few awards that doesn’t parade a crowd to be honored. It brings together only a few Nigerians.

This year it will honor the former Vice President for his unrelenting contribution to Employment generation, his massive development activities across the nation, his extreme philanthropic gestures and for his persistent restructuring call. The Senate President Bukola Saraki will also be honored for the activities of the 8th Senate. For the incredible number of bills and motions passed, for his critical interventions on national matters and upholding the independence of the legislature. Others to be honored include Sen. Ben Murray Bruce for his constant contribution to national discuss in the Senate as well as Bills and motion sponsored by him, while Sen. Shehu Sani will be honored for being a Defender of Democracy. Shehu literally took his activism to the Senate.  You will recall that when the maze was snatched, Sen. Sani volunteered his belt as an alternate maze. Nigerians need to constantly honor her own, particularly while they are still alive” The statement said.

You will recall that the HoG Awards has in its 8 year existence honored very distinguished Nigerians including Dr. Alike Dangote, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Sen. Musa Kwankwaso, Capt. Idris Wada to mention a few. This year the event holds inn the 24th of June @ the Summit in Ikeja.

The Organizers can be reached through hallifgrace@gmail.com , www.hogmedia.com.ng

The HoG Awards Board is set to honor the 8th Senate for exemplary legislative leadership in the country.  The Chief Executive Officer of the Awards, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa in a statement released to journalists has said. The HoG Awards has as his Grand Custodian and Deputy Grand Custodian, Hon. Chief Alex  Akinyele a former Honorable Minister and Prof Dupe Olatubosun a foremost Nigerian professor, respectively.

 ‘Our Democracy is still very young and fragile. It is so fragile that you wonder if it will survive. This is why the Board of the HoG Awards has decided to look critically into the activities of the 8th Senate and having done so discovered that, in comparison, the 8th Senate under Sen. Saraki has done creditably well.

Any nation whose Senate or Parliament as the case may be is harnessed by the central government has lost separation of power and it’s democracy won’t survive. This is why we have chosen to honor Bukola Saraki and the 8th Senate. It is mind blowing when you consider the number of bills and motion passed in just 3 years. The Senate President has continued to show that the nation and its democracy come first. If you look at the perceived relationship the Senate President has with the Federal Government especially with the trials that greeted his assumption as Senate President, one would have imagined that all hell would be released on the presidency with everyday impeachment proceedings activated but that wasn’t the case. SARAKI managed that extremely well and focused on the job of promoting our democracy. You find that on several occasions you find him looking ruling Senators out of order or dousing tension whenever the President is mentioned in a bad light. Instead of going personal, he has weighed in on critical national matters.

The 8th Senate has uncovered several corrupt practises and have taken its oversight function out of the status quo and that is why we chose to honor the Senate President with the Man of the Year Award. Other Senators to be honored are Senator Ben Bruce and Shehu Sani. These Senators have distinguished themselves. They have learnt their voice persistently on motions and bills especially those affecting the common man and promoting national cohesion. They have continued to engage Nigerians on critical national issues. At one time one of them had to use his belt as a maze in order to save the nation’s democracy.

I personally commend the 8th Senate for their comportment during the infamous Senate Invasion. Nigerians who saw that video footage wondered aloud. There was no going physical with the assailants like we used to see. Instead, they all maintained their calm and with the help of Shehu’s belt, legislative business continued. That was a defining moment and all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be applauded for their maturity and dedication to duty. One would have thought they would all go home after a traumatic event but they stayed back and did the job for which they were elected..” We therefore wish to use this opportunity to celebrate the 8th Senate for that moment and their contributions to deepening democracy in our nation and also supporting the President anti corruption war by exposing corrupt elements themselves.. The statement read.

The HoG Awards holds on the 24th of June in Ikeja Lagos. You will recall that the HoG Awards has since inception honored very notable Nigerians like Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Aliko Dangote, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, Ooni Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Babatuned Raji Fashola, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Captain Idris Wada and other notable Nigerians

The CEO can be reached through hallofgrace@gmail.com, pasrup@yahoo.com, www.hogmedia.com.ng

The Board of the HoG Awards has released the names of some of the awardees for the 8th Annual HoG Awards. In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Awards, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa, the awards gave a hint on the reason for the HoG Line-up. ‘The HoG Awards as you may know is tied, every year to a national concern for which it hopes to lend weight to, either by honoring a Nigerian who has done well in such an aspect or by having a lecture to further enlighten Nigerians. However, there is a recurrent theme for every year and that is DEMOCRACY. This year, in addition to honoring people who have helped deliver democratic dividends, the HoG Awards focuses on Employment and Restructuring Call’ Ojenuwa said.

A former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governor of Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo will be honored during the awards dinner which holds on the 24th of June in Lagos. Others include Senator Ben Bruce, Senator Sani and a governor from the South.

The Board of the HoG Awards led by a Former Honorable Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele chose to honor Alh. Atiku Abubakar for his role in job creation in Nigeria. We believe that job creation must not rest in the hands of the government alone, we believe that private citizens should be encouraged to create jobs. Atiku Abubakar has created and continues to create jobs for Nigerians. You know that job creation has a ripple effect, by creating jobs, the former Vice President has contributed to reduction in crimes. We also use this medium to commend every Nigerian who is in the business of job creation, as well as call on the political class to use their resources to create jobs for Nigerians. If this is done, unemployment will nose dive. Another reason for which Alh. Abubakar is honored is because of his constant restructuring call. HoG, Iike several well-meaning Nigerians believe that restructuring is the way to go.

We also commend the 8th Senate under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki. This Senate has done creditably well. The number of bills and motions by the Senate has been unprecedented. But noteworthy is the several interventions in national issues. The oversight functions is commendable and the level of proactivity is high. If for anything, the leadership of the Senate has refused to rubber stamp but has instead lived up to its responsibility of checking excesses and offering valuable advice to the Executive  and this is why we have chosen a few Senators who have distinguished themselves led by the  Senate President Bukola Saraki himself. Others are Senator Ben Bruce and Shehu Sani.

In the area of delivery of Democratic Dividends, the Gombe State governor, Dr. Hassan Dankwambo has been unprecedented in his strides. He has literarily transformed Gombe with strides in infrastructure. In education, he has established basic schools, colleges and undertaken scholarship programs. In health and other sectors, Dankwambo has also proven his worth.

The HoG Awards was inaugurated 9 years ago to serve as a celebration platform for deserving Nigerians. With a Board consisting of Nigerians of proven track record with integrity, the Award seeks to honor only the bests who have distinguished themselves and are serving as role models in their different fields of endeavor, hence it has honored several notable Nigerians.

The 8th annual awards holds on the 24th of June at the Civic Center in Lagos. The Board can be reached through hallofgrace@gmail.com or pasrup@yahoo.com , www.hogmedia.com.ng

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