It was a gathering to remember on Monday, October 30, 2023 at the Ikeja Airport Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, when the Rotary Club of Akowonjo under the Rotary International, District 9110, bestowed the Rotary International’s ‘Excellence In Community Development Award’ on Edo State-born lawyer, educator and philanthropist, Dr. Joseph Ohens.
Expectedly, the event attracted some old boys of Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, media and public relations buffs, including Mr. Ehi Braimah, Publisher of NaijaTimes and Lagos Post; Hon. Steve Ayorinde of Arise TV (former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy).
His former schoolmates at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, including Mr. Titiloye Amzat(publisher, Editor-in-Chief, News of the People), Chief Alex Akao, Mr. John Odiboh, Mrs Ebiere Assoh-Bodunde, Mrs. Isabella Idehen-Adesola, Mr. Godwin Irekhe, among others.
The award, according to the Rotary Club, is for distinguished individuals in community development which is one of the very important seven areas of focus of the Rotary International.
Rotary Club International, noted that over the years, Dr. Ohens has distinguished himself as a people-oriented person who derives fulfillment from offering a helping hand to those around him and giving back to the community.
Just few weeks back, Dr. Ohens had earned recognition, for his philanthropic work, when he received the “Africa Courage Award for Community Development” from the Voice Achievers Awards, at a ceremony held in Almere, The Netherlands.
For those who do not know him, Dr. Joseph Ohens is a journalist, educator, legal scholar, and a healthcare executive. He practiced journalism from 1989 to 2001 at the Nigerian Observer and CityNews newspapers, where his journalism career blossomed as General Manager and Editor-in-Chief during the crusade for Nigeria’s return to democracy in the Generals Babaginda and Abacha era.
-Pictures by GODWIN IREKHE
