•As He Becomes The LISA AJE Of Egbaland
The Park Inn Hotel event center located at Kuto, Abeokuta was filled to the brim on Friday, December 11, 2020, as dignitaries across the country gathered to felicitate with Hon Ladi Adebutu, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State, who just bagged the title of the Lisa Aje of Egbaland.
Simply put, being an employer of labour and one doing so well in the agro-business, Hon Ladi Adebutu has just been named the number one wealth creator in the entire Egbaland. The event had the crème de la crème in Ogun state in attendance as well as his political compatriots and many PDP stalwarts. City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 was there and he brings you a report of the event, enjoy.
CHIEF HOST, LADI ADEBUTU& WIFE’S ARRIVAL
It is not your regular owambe but a scholarly event. However, Yeye Olanike Adebutu, and her husband, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu entered the event in style and grandeur. They were both officially dressed. Hon Ladi wore a black fitted suite while his beautiful wife stunned in a navy-blue gown.
TOUN ADENRELE& SEGUN ADEWALE COMPERE EVENT
The event was full of life as both comperes were at their best. Anchored by an ace broadcaster, Segun Adewale and ably assisted by a female compatriot, Toun Adenrele, the hosts kept bringing life to the event and avoided boredom in any way.
OGANLA TAKES OPENING PRAYER
Popular PDP stalwart, Oganla took the opening prayer and handed the event over to God.
ARC KAYODE ADEBAYO WELCOMES GUEST
To say that the planning committee did a good job would have amounted to belittling the outstanding success reached. From the venue, to security, venue, food, refreshment and logistics, everything put in place had a touch of perfection. As the central planning committee chairman mounted the podium to welcome guests, he beamed with confidence, knowing fully well that his committee members had done a good job. His welcome address was simple, short and straight to the point but made everyone look forward to what the event has for them.
ALAKE OF EGBALAND ARRIVES IN STYLE
HRM Oba Michael Adedotun, Aremu Gbadebo, is the paramount ruler and Alake of Egbaland. His entry was greeted with cheers, applauds and royal salutations. He is indeed royalty as he came in the company of a large entourage who were all over him to see to his convenience at the event.
ROYAL FATHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Yes, it was an event ably greeted by first-class monarchs in Ogun State. Aside from the Alake of Egbaland, other royal fathers in attendance include the Elepe of Epe, HRM Oba Adewale Osinberu, Alaperu of Iperu and numerous high-ranking chiefs across the state.
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
Asiwaju Dr Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, OON was the chairman of the day. His address highlighted a need for the symposium held in honour of Dr Ladi Adebutu. He noted that the symposium is coming at a time when the nation at large and Ogun State in particular needs it. This is to serve as a wake-up call for us to start taking right decisions that will reposition our state, he said.
ABEOKUTA STANDS STILL FOR OONI OF IFE
Yes, the Ooni of Ife, HIM, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II was here too, and he arrived in style. The entire Abeokuta community stood still for one of the topmost royal fathers of the entire Yorubaland. The Ooni’s arrival was announced by his trumpeter while everyone in attendance stood in awe for the monarch. He would later address the audience in a unique manner.
WHY WEALTH CREATION IS A NECESSITY – LADI ADEBUTU
The Lisa Aje of Egbaland, Hon Dr LadiAdebutu had the floor too before the speaker. He spoke extensively on the need for wealth creation in the state. “Our fathers in their time created wealth and there was peace and tranquility in the land. The reason there are so many troubles at this time is because the people are hungry. We must embark on a journey of wealth creation alongside the government so as to allow for peace to reign in the land.” Every responsible government needs private sector participation for development and likewise, every private parastatal needs the government so as to foster development, he said in his address.
PROF PAT UTOMI DELIVERS PAPER
Prof Pat Utomi needs no introduction in Nigeria. He is a popular political economist who runs the popular Lagos Business School that has produced the brightest CEOs, managers and business associates across Africa. He is also a well-travelled businessman and known to have helped many businesses grow in the country. His talk dwelt extensively on why it is important to foster corporation between the government and the private sector. He noted that there is a need to build strong institutions rather than building strong men. He further stated that stronger institutions will give a level playing ground for all.
Furthermore, Prof Utomi stated categorically that there is a need for transparency, and clear financial structuring because governments budget alone cannot fund infrastructural projects, therefore, effective public-private partnership is the way forward.
ERUDITE SCHOLARS DO JUSTICE TO PROF PAT UTOMI’S PAPER
Ogun State is one of the states in Nigeria that possess a high profile of highly educated individuals, researchers and captains of industry in the country. This was put to the fore at the symposium as some selected scholars further did justice with empirical and theoretical analyses with visible approaches and realistic examples to the paper delivered by Prof Pat Utomi on how public-private partnership can aid development in Ogun State. Those who contributed largely are Prof Ishola Rufus Akintoye. Prof Mrs. Teju Sodipo, Somorin, Dr Abiodun Adedipe. Their resolve was that the government’s budget alone cannot adequately see to developmental infrastructures because of the non-availability of funds, hence, a need for private sector participation. This participation must also be sought after by the government because it needs the private sector to transform the Gateway State into a modern state that it ought to be.
POPULAR ABEOKUTA CLUBS FULLY REPRESENTED
Several social clubs in Abeokuta were in attendance to show their love and support for Hon. Ladi Adebutu. They came in their numbers and were differentiated by their unique caps or attires. Some of them sighted on ground are Abeokuta Club, Egba Indigene Global Association, Men’s Club, Oduduwa Elite Club
ROLL CALL
Are Kola Oyefeso, Engr BayoDayo, Navy Capt, R.A Raji, Prof ope Adekunle, Ven Dr SK Popoola, Prof Anthony Ijaduola, Grp Capt John Ojikutu, Prof Abimbola Akande, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo rep Aaare Ona Kakanfo, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, Dr Doyin Okupe, AmbLeke Dada, Prof Biodun Badmos, Dr Funso Simon, Dr Olurin both from The Bells University, Chief Ayo Oredipe, Hon Chief Olumide Bankole, MrsWuraola Arojo, AkogunAramide, High Chief Aina Kusoro and Chief Abayomi Tella. Others are Barr Ifasola Epeodu, Chief Adeyemi Salami, the Lisa, Akarigbo Remo.
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