- Platforms Africa, Energy Journalists’ group, friends all over Africa celebrate Media Icon, accomplished administrator – Yakubu Lawal – on retirement, 60th birthday.
It was an havest of Encomium as General Manager, Public Affairs, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Alhaji Yakubu Lawal, retired from active services coinciding with his 60th birthday.
Lawal, a veteran energy journalist whose sojourn in the profession spanned many decades, worked for The PUNCH, Guardian among other Nigeria’s top newspapers before joining the NDPHC. He has travelled to some of the major countries of the World on journalism voyage to cover global energy groups and institutions like the Organisation of Petroleum of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Offshore Technology Conference (OTC); among others.
He is a foundation member of Platforms Africa Forum, an e-Community of intellectuals, opinion leaders and policy moulders where his contributions to the fight against misinformation about COVID-19 pandemic is noted on daily basis.
Africa’s leading online newspaper, Platforms Africa, in the same vein, extols Lawal’s virtues for his contribution to the development of energy reporting in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude oil exporter.
The management of PMS Platforms Solutions, Publisher of Platforms Africa, says in a statement; “Yakubu Lawal has written his name in gold for his sterling performance at the NDPHC and particularly for his contribution to the development of energy journalism in Nigeria. Asides feeding the new generation of energy reporters from his decades of professionalism and journalism experience, he demonstrated how media relations should be done when he crossed to that stratum of communication practice. And, this sufficiently helped placed the NDPHC on a higher pedestal in terms of media relations.
“Many Nigeria’s energy journalists refered to him as the father of modern energy reporting in Nigeria; a leader; an effervescent and unassuming benefactor; a mentor; a teacher; among others. Despite all these, he remained an epitome of humility whose career is full of lessons for many.”
Energy Journalists group in Nigeria, National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC); colleagues and friends of Lawal all over the world also celebrated the Media Icon, and an accomplished administrator.
Publisher of Energy Times, Kayode Ekudayo wrote; “Alhaji Yakubu Lawal, you are indeed an epitome of grace, kind and inspirational. A wonderful brother and leader. You stood by me when I thought I have lost all. Thank you Alhaji. I wish you Happy birthday and congratulations on your retirement.”
Mike Oduniyi, a spokesperson for Conoil Plc, who has been an old-time friend and colleague to Lawal wrote; “Happy birthday wishes to a brother, confidant and leader. Many happy returns of thisday. Age with grace, Haji. God’s abundant blessings and protevtio continue to shower on you.”
Energy Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Udeme Akpan, added; “This is wishing our Alhaji Lawal a very happy birthday. More grace and God’s blessings.”
Chairman, National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC), Tunde Dodondawa, wrote; “Kindly join me in celebrating Alhaji Yakubu Lawal as he adds another year today and also as he retires from active service.
“Sir, I pray that God will continue to bless you, wraps His mighty arms of protection around you and all yours, showers His goodness and mercy upon you and all yours and as you retires, may you know nothing but peace and happiness forever. Have a very happy birthday sir and continue to age with grace, Amen! Many happy returns.”
Veteran energy Editor with BusinessDay, Sola Bello, wrote; “May grace and mercies of God continue to be upon him.”
Energy Editor of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and immediate past Chairman of NAEC, Yusuf Yunus, wrote; “You have been such an inspirational mentor and a leader. As you celebrate this wonderful day, it’s my prayer that Almighty Allah will open the gates of heaven and shower uppn you unlimited blessings, sir.
“You are certainly more than a boss to us, in you, we see a true friend and confidant. Happy birthday, sir.”
Veteran journalist Rasheed Komolafe wrote; “HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS. ALIAMDULILAHI ON YOUR BEHALF SIR. HBD LLNP IGBA ODUN ODUN KAN AMEEN.”
A Director with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Fred Shaka Braimoh, added; “Happy birthday to our Boss and Mentor who has been our source of pride, inspiration and motivation. As u celebrate your birthday today, may the Almighty God continue to guide and protect u and your family.”
The Energy Editor of Daily SUN newspaper; Wale Sanyaolu, also stated; “Happy birthday to our Boss and Mentor who has been our source of pride, inspiration and motivation. As u celebrate your birthday today, may the Almighty God continue to guide and protect u and your family.”
General Secretary, NAEC, Sebastine Obasi, added; “Very many happy returns to our effervescent and unassuming benefactor.
May God bless you and your family.”
