For helping to bridge the technology gap faced by orphaned youths in Edo State by providing them with essential digital skills to thrive in a rapidly digitizing society, the Managing Director of The Nigerian Observer Newspaper, Osa Victor Obayagbona, was honoured with an award last week in recognition of the newspaper’s outstanding coverage of the OrphanHub programme.
The award was presented by Emmanuel Nnaemeka Vitus, the leader of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) group that established the programme, at the Nigerian Observer premises on Airport Road, Benin City.
The OrphanHub programme is an initiative that aims to bridge the technology gap faced by orphaned youths in Edo State by providing them with essential digital skills to thrive in a rapidly digitizing society. The programme has successfully trained over 50 orphaned youths in various digital skills such as web development, graphic design, and digital marketing.
The Nigerian Observer was recognized as having played a sufficient role in highlighting the programme’s progress, impact, and success stories, helping to raise awareness and garner support for the initiative. The newspaper’s dedication to sharing the stories of the programme’s initiatives has been instrumental in inspiring others to support the cause.
Mr. Vitus, accompanied by his associate and fellow corp member, Mr. Ogunwobi Oluwasegun, praised the paper’s commitment to reporting on issues that matter to the community. He noted that the coverage has not only shed light on the positive work being done but also demonstrated the paper’s commitment to amplifying the impact of social initiatives.
“We are deeply grateful to The Nigerian Observer for lending their assistance on covering the programme. Their commitment to the programme has inspired us in many ways, and we’re truly appreciative of their efforts,” Mr. Vitus said.
While accepting the award, Mr. Obayagbona expressed his gratitude to the OrphanHub team and acknowledged the importance of media in amplifying the impact of social initiatives. He emphasized the critical role that the media play in driving social change and promoting a culture of social responsibility.
“It is our sincere duty to encourage anyone that comes across our way. This award has taken us by surprise because we were not expecting it. It’s an award that shows that even the new generation can still recognize people in the society they feel they can show appreciation to.
“When we did the publication for OrphanHub, we were not doing it to be given any award. We were just doing it because we see it as part of our corporate social responsibility to our immediate environment,” he stated.
The recognition of Mr. Obayagbona and The Nigerian Observer serves as a testament to the power of media in driving social change and promoting a culture of social responsibility. The OrphanHub programme’s impact is also regarded as a testament to the positive change that can be achieved through collaborative efforts between organizations, community groups, and the media.
The award was also a celebration of the success of the programme and the newspaper’s contributions to its growth as well as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in driving social change.
