Ondo@50: Tinubu, Fasoranti, Obasanjo, Founding Father’s, Ex-Governors, Others Honoured
•By Admin
AKURE – IN fulfillment of the promise to honour founding fathers, past governors and other heroes, Ondo State government has bestowed awards on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Pa Seinde Arogbofa, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and 66 distinguished sons and daughters as well as friends of the state.
The awards were bestowed on the awardees at the Gala and Award Night, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday in commemoration of 50 years of the creation of the state.
The governor said the night was dedicated to legacy, excellence and the recognition of service, reflecting the collective effort, shared sacrifice and enduring aspirations of the state over five decades.
He said: “The daytime celebrations at the Ondo State Sports Complex captured the mass spirit of our people and rekindled our resolve for a more prosperous state,” the governor said.
“Tonight is devoted to honour, legacy and recognition of those whose lives have brought distinction to Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to national development.”
Aiyedatiwa stressed that Golden jubilee of statehood required maturity in engaging history, emphasising that societies advance only when excellence is celebrated and institutions endure when character is honoured.
He stated that the awards were not ceremonial tokens, but expressions of collective gratitude, highlighting that true excellence is discipline, purpose and sustained contribution, not merely privilege.
Other personalities honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami; former deputy governors Omolade Oluwateru, Ali Olanusi, Lasisi Oluboyo, and Alfred Agboola Ajayi; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Hon. Justices Olusegun Odusola and Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju; Major General Olu Bajowa (rtd), and Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo; traditional ruler Oba Olu Falae; and music legend King Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade.
Other honourees include Engr. Bernard Aliu, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, Hon. Chief Mrs Mobalaji Osomo, High Chief Johnson Fagbemi, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyemi, Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade Ojo (Elizade), Engineer Emmanuel Adewunmi of Denki Wires, Prof. Anthony Olusegun Adegulugbe, Pa Oyekan Arije, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Chief Sunday Ehindero, Chief Joseph Sanusi, Chief Solomon Oladunni, Chief Pius Akinyelure, AVM Kola Ademuwagun, Oba Samuel Egunjobi, the Alafo of Afo, and Madam Winifred Adefolahan Awosika.
Meanwhile, posthumous awards honoured figures who shaped the state and nation, including General Murtala Mohammed; former governors Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Dr Olusegun Agagu, and Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; prominent jurists Hon. Justices Akinola Aguda and Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi; activists and professionals such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Barrister Deji Adegoroye, Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun, Chief Olu Adeyemi, and Chief Gilbert Akinyede; religious leader Pastor T. B. Joshua and Chief Afolabi Iyantan; and senior military officers including Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, Brigadier-General Esijolomi Tuoyo, Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko, Captain Okhai Mike Akhigbe, Colonel Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye, Navy Captain Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, Lt Colonel Lucky Mike Torey, Colonel Ahmed A. Usman, Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyeagubulem, and Colonel Moses O. Fasanya.
In his address, Governor Aiyedatiwa reiterated that the anniversary was not about romanticising the past, but drawing strength from history to meet future challenges, including building stronger institutions, diversifying the economy, deepening social cohesion and expanding opportunities for youths.
The Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, in his address, reflected on Ondo State’s remarkable transformation, noting that many who grew up in local communities would barely recognise familiar landmarks.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adewusi, who shared the occasion, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, describing the First Lady as a source of pride to Osun State.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, said the Jubilee offered a platform to chart Ondo State’s future, particularly the role of youths.
He disclosed that an essay competition for youths aged 20 to 25 attracted 118 entries in five days, with ten adjudged outstanding and three selected for prizes.
Ajulo added that the initiative was conceived as a time capsule projecting the state’s trajectory over the next 20 years.
He said: “A formal charter prepared by the Ministry of Justice will be signed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State and the Secretary to the State Government, with other officials as witnesses, before being sealed as a binding covenant across generations.”