First-class traditional rulers, top government officials, and top private sector operators have confirmed their presence at the formal unveiling of the print edition of The Podium International Magazine taking place tomorrow, Thursday, August 3, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The event, billed to hold at the high-brow Bliss World Hotel, Ijapo on August 3, 2023, will commence at 10 am.
Dr. Afolabi Adewakun, a former Chairman of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, will be the Chairman of the event. Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, will be the Special Guest of Honour while the Royal Father of the Day is HRM Oba (Dr) Olufaderin Adetimehin, FIIN, FCIB, Jimoko II, Jegun of Ile-Oluji Kingdom. The Royal Host is the Deji of Akure, HRM Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Odundun II. The Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin, Ogunoye III is the Eminent Royal Guest of the Day.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Ademola Akinbola, Publisher of The Podium International Magazine, the event will also feature a business lecture on “The Role of Strategic Meeting in Business Development“, to be delivered by Dr. Wale Banmore, Ph.D., MD/CEO of STACO Insurance PLC.
The Podium is a general interest magazine that commenced operations in 2019 with an online edition via www.thepodiummedia.com. Two years later in 2021, the print edition debuted in the United States of America where it was unveiled in Houston, New York City, Maryland, and Indianapolis. In 2022, the magazine was unveiled in Lagos, London, Abuja, and Ibadan. Brussels, Belgium hosted the magazine in May 2023.
Akinbola stated that the mission of The Podium International Magazine is to celebrate Nigerian professionals, business managers, and entrepreneurs with legitimate means of livelihood. The focus is on sharing success stories so that others can learn and be inspired. He added that the vision is to build a global media brand that will celebrate the good deeds of Nigerians all over the world.
He explained that the global unveiling is an inclusive marketing strategy aimed at extending the reach of the Magazine to major countries with a significant Nigerian population. Ghana, Germany, Canada, and South Africa will follow in the course of 2023 and 2024, he added.
Mr. Akinbola noted that the culture of blame, criticism, and condemnation must be replaced with a culture that appreciates and celebrates good people while they are still alive.
“As a people, we are quick to condemn but slow to commend. We sometimes also celebrate people with dubious pedigree. This must stop. A lot of Nigerians are doing exploits all over the world, unnoticed, unrecognized, and uncelebrated. The Podium is out to change this order “, he said, adding that “we are committed to identifying and serenading the good and exemplary deeds of Nigerians at home and abroad”.
“We are irrevocably committed to pioneering a culture revolution under which outstanding feats of honest and diligent Nigerians will be showcased for posterity. The Podium International Magazine is a platform created to promote Nigeria and Nigerians in a way that will add value to those concerned and the country in general”, he added.
Akinbola is an experienced journalist and an accomplished author with five published books. He has nearly three decades of professional experience as a Journalist, Author, Publisher, Brand Management Specialist, and Strategic Communications professional. He worked in the mainstream media for the first seven years of his career at The Guardian, West African Pilot, Punch, and ThisDay before he switched to Public Relations/Brand management, leading the senior management function in these areas while working at Owena Bank, Prudent Bank (now Polaris Bank), British Council, and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company – nahco aviance).
