By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Chief Babajide Kolade Otitoju, Director of News at TVC, has received the 2026 Ekirin-Adde Grand Star Award in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Ekirin-Adde community in Kogi State.
Speaking after receiving the award at the 2026 Ekirin-Adde Annual Festival, Otitoju described the honour as a significant milestone and thanked the Ekirin-Adde Development Association and the community’s traditional rulers for the recognition. He called on residents and indigenes, particularly those living in the diaspora, to support community development initiatives through greater unity and collective action.
According to Otitoju, a recently launched ₦750 million community development fund is intended to address infrastructure needs, including improvements to education and road rehabilitation.
He said communities should not rely solely on government resources but should complement public efforts through local initiatives and partnerships. Otitoju also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace hard work, integrity, creativity and diligence as pathways to success. He urged them to preserve cultural values and remain connected to their heritage.
He further appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to maintain ties with their communities and contribute to projects that improve the welfare of residents.The Ekirin-Adde Grand Star Award is presented annually by the community to recognise individuals for their outstanding contributions to its growth and development.
