By: Ado Adeboye
Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State went agog as the community some illustrious sons and daughters with Meritorious Service Awards to appreciate their immeasurable contributions to the development of humanity and the society.
Speaking at the occasion held at his palace, the Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin II, enjoined prominent sons and daughters of the town to cone together to contribute to the development of the Community.
The monarch said the honoured prominent indigenes had distinguished themselves in public and private sectors.
Oba Adedoyin who commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the execution of some projects especially ongoing dualisation of Ikare township roads and recent appointments of two indigenes of the into the state cabinet, urged Ikare people to complement government’s efforts at enhancing socio-economic development of the community.
Owa-Ale explained that those honoured have been great ambassadors of the town in their chosen careers, advising them to let the community award spur them to do more for humanity.
The iconic awardees—Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Abdulfatai Olotu; the Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi; the Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Environment, Hon. Niyi Oseni; Bursar of UNIMED, Mr. Steve Shittu; AAUA Librarian, Dr. Doreen Olorunfemi and the Librarian Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara state, Dr. Femi Quadri.
Others are; the Accountant, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Dr. Kayode Ashaju; C.E.O Flourish Hotel, Elder Alex Akande; C.E.O Niman Hotels & Suites, Ikare, Chief Babatunde Ojo; a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Mojisola Ajayi; a Business mogul, Mr. Lateef Abudu; and Mr. Lawrence Omojola Olotu among others were conferred with the awards on Monday 27 December, 2021.
Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, said the recipients of the award have contributed immensely to the unprecedented development being witnessed in the ancient community, adding that their impeccable records earned them the public recognition.
The Monarch stated that the eminent sons and daughters had worked dutifully and channelled their hard-earned gains to the gallery of the humanity and the society.
Owa-Ale, also said the awardees, which he described as captains of industry and conglomeration of Profesionals, had provided gainful employements to teeming youths, ergo, they deserve to be celebrated.
He said, “our illustrious sons and daughters have really worked hard to put our community on the world map, hence, we need to appreciate them”
“Many of them have used their positions to reduce the astronomical number of unemployed youths by providing them employment ”
“I am not surprised seeing many of them at the apex seats, because they have worked and returned back to the society. This is one of the reasons why our wards must go to school, acquire western education or Vocational skill,” the monarch said.
On behalf of the awardees, Dr. Femi Quadri, who thanked the Owa Ale-in-Council for deeming it fit to recognise them, also promised that they would continually support the community in their various capacities.