•He Is Barr. OLUWAFEMI ADELEKE OGUNBANWO
On the 8th of December, Barr. Oluwafemi Adeleke Ogunbanwo, the former commissioner for Special Duties, Ogun State and APC candidate, House of Representatives, Ijebu Central Federal Constituency which consists of Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North East and Odogbolu became the 10th winner of the prestigious Ijebu Man of the Year award. The event which was supported by MTN, CACATIN (Herbal Mixture for Women) and Ogun Flavours, had HE, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State as its Chairman, Oba Engr. Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun and Chief Amb. Zainab Afolabi (2021 winner of the award) as Father and Mother of the day respectively. It was the 10th edition and it was held at Rolak Hotel in Ijebu-Ode.
The event had Mc Atotun Atosi Dee 1st and Dj Titi thrilling the guests. It started with an opening prayer and was followed by a National and Ogun State anthem. It followed with the Mc calling names of people to the high table and recognising the arrival of dignitaries.
A speech by the chairman was swiftly followed by a welcome address by Hon. Dayo Osinowo, Publisher, Ogun Flavours Magazine (on sabbatical) and convener, Dayo Osinowo Initiatives (DOSI). He said: “The award, Ijebu Man of the Year came into being in recognition of the need to serve humanity which DOSI, a community-based NGO founded in 2001 has been observing.
“This award acknowledges the contribution of personalities that have contributed to the development of humanity and prosperity in the Ogun-East senatorial district. The celebration of excellence exhibited by the recipients will no doubt encourage great minds of repute and institutions to aspire to win the highly respected award among the Ijebus,” he said.
According to him, the nomination and selection of the winners are by opinion poll and not manipulated. “The winners are from a poll conducted through phone calls, text messages and e-mails by the organizing committee. This culminated in selecting Ijebu man of the Year with great personalities winning the coveted award and others winning, Brand of the Year and Recognition award in various fields of endeavour,” Osinowo said.
He, however, congratulated the winners and hope that they will continue to contribute meaningfully as always to the community. “It is our hope that more people and establishments in Ijebu will aspire to win the award, and we pledge that we shall continue to honour them accordingly,” he added.
The event proceeded with the launching of the Aid of Aged & Widow Support Scheme, which was immediately followed by the a ward presentation.
On winning the grand prize, Barr. Ogunbanwo said that it’s an honour to be chosen as the winner of the 10th edition. “I was surprised and couldn’t believe it when I got the call that I will be honoured by my own people, (The Ijebus) because I think many on the list deserve it as well. “I thank DOSI and the people of Ijebu for this, this award will forever be cherished by me and it is for sure my best,” he said.
Finally, a photo session with the award winners took place as the DJ slammed his music for the guest to dance to.
Roll calls of the dignitaries at the event are, Okebunmi Oyindamola Moshood, Iyalode Obaneye Obinrin; Akile Ijebu, & Egbe Obaneye Obinrin; Akile Ijebu (83-85), and Prophet Raphael Ajose. Also in attendance were, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo; commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Ogun state, Oba Dr Alatise, Otunba Fatai Arowolo; ARON, Prince Dapo Adebajo and many others.
Benprince Ezeh
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