The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Megastar Media Communication, Adeniyi Ifetayo, has been conferred with an honorary Doctor of Media and Communication degree by Myles Leadership University (MLU) in recognition of his exceptional contributions to academia and the media industry.
The conferment ceremony, held in Ghana on March 20, celebrated Ifetayo’s scholarly dedication and impactful research in media and communication studies.
Ifetayo’s doctoral journey, supervised by MLU Vice-Chancellor, K. Ravi Acharya, culminated in a thesis that advanced critical discourse in media studies. The degree, certified under credential number MLUNI/2023/PRT/0006, was unanimously approved by the university’s Board of Trustees, Council, and Senate, affirming his fulfillment of rigorous academic requirements. The certificate, bearing the institution’s official seal, was signed by MLU Registrar, Nana Arnold.
In his acceptance speech, Ifetayo, who also is the president of the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria, emphasised his commitment to driving societal change through education.
“My mantra, inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s timeless words, is to ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” he said.
Ifetayo also spoke about his philanthropic strides, and contribution to education in Nigeria. He recalled the renovation of dilapidated public schools by constructing furniture and restroom facilities, alongside sponsoring vocational training for select Nigerian youths.
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Mark Darko, president of the Africa International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who underscored the urgency of visionary leadership across the continent.
“Africa’s leaders have long prioritised short-term political gains over sustainable development, exporting raw materials rather than processing them,” he remarked.
Citing Aliko Dangote’s refinery as a model of transformative industrial investment, Darko urged honorees to “invest in the next generation, prioritise agricultural innovation, and foster collaboration for a prosperous Africa.”
Concluding with a rallying quote from Ghana’s founding father, Darko declared, “As Kwame Nkrumah said, ‘We face neither East nor West—we face forward.’ Those who steal from the future through corruption remain shackled to the past.”
Ifetayo’s accolade underscores growing academic-professional synergies in West Africa, with peers lauding his achievement as a testament to intellectual rigor and leadership.
Among fellow honorees were Chidinma Anne Ojeh (Business Development manager, Sovereign Finance Limited); Remi Olumuyiwa (chairman, First Tricon Limited); Caroline Ene (founder, Unique Global Peace Initiative of Nigeria); and Nick Wedge Wento (chairman, Wento Group of Companies).
The event highlighted the critical role of academia and industry partnerships in shaping Africa’s future, with Ifetayo’s milestone poised to amplify his influence in media research and nation-building initiatives.
