Last Wednesday 4th, September 2019, a distinguished Ijebuman of note and indeed an Omoluabi amongst his generation turned 80. He is Giwa Bisi Rodipe, an Ijebu businessman who is the Chairman of BISROD Furniture.
To celebrate this fine gentleman with global recognition but with no National Honour on Merit, a symposium titled: Sustainable Forest Resources Management of the Nation was organized to highlight his challenges, experience and achievements in Forestry Development in Nigeria.
A foremost and distinguished Forestry expert, Mr Rotimi Kassim & his Committee packaged the Symposium in collaboration with: (1) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; (2) Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN); (3) Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA), Nigeria Chapter; ( 4) Evergreen Tree Planters
The venue, Bisi Rodipe Mega Hall, Ijebu -Ode was a beehive of activities with distinguished personalities that included but not limited to H.E Chief (Mrs) Obasanjo representing Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Head of State, H.E Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor, Ogun State & his key Executive members, Olori Agba, Iyabode Adetona, Olori Kabiyesi Oba S.K. Adetona, Awujale & Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Crown Prince & Olori Ade Adetona, Chief Izoma Phillips C. Asiodu, former Petroleum Minister & President, Conservation Foundation, Egbe Bobayo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu, Chief Imam-In-Council, Religious bodies, HRH Dagburewe of Idowa & other Royal father’s, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, Chief Tola Adeniyi (a.k.a Lucky Star, Irawo Lucky Star), Alhaji Maggie Adesanya, Lord Spiritual & Lord Temporal, Family members, leading personalities from the business communities, NACCIMA, academia, political circle, friends & Associates too numerous to be listed. The Chairman of the occasion was Emeritus Professor A.L. Mabogunje CFR, NNOM, an international scholar and a distinguished son of Ijebu Nation.
Speakers at the Occasion were:
(i) Prof O.Y. Ogunsanwo
National Secretary, Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) Department of Forest Production & Product, Universuty of Ibadan
(ii) Prof. B.O. Agbeja,
President, Commonwealth Forestry Assocation Nigeria Chapter, Dept. of Social & Environmental Forestry, University of Ibadan
(iii) Prof. S.O. Jimoh,
Department of Social & Environmental Forestry, University of Ibadan;
(iv) Engr. Kayode Sote,
Evergreen Tree Planter
(v) Dr. S.K. Musa,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
There is no gainsaying the fact that Giwa BisiRodipe is a star and a primus inter pares , worthy of celebration. He is indeed a National icon worthy of National Honour and a potential recipient of Nobel Prize for Environment, after Kenyan, Wangari Maathai in 2004 and Liberian Alfred Brondwell in 2019
Congratulations, Sir!
READ ALSO: FELAMOK PARTNERS O’PAY, BEGINS RECRUITMENT IN LAGOS
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz