Grand Council of Yoruba Youths Felicitates with Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode, Yaya Bello, Lola Ashiru, Morns Akinkungbe, Remi Omotoso, Bayo Osinowo, Ibidunni Ighodalo, Azeez Sanni
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Here, is another session of celebration as we are rolling out the drums and blaring the trumpets to rejoice, and in deed to celebrate the Five (5) Prominent Sons and Daughter of Yorubaland. The Beautiful Brides of Yoruba Nation.
First, is the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who clocked 57 years of age few days a go.
This is the time to recount your laudable contributions during the 2015 Yoruba National day marking Senator Ayo Fasanmi @ 90, inside the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Wednesday, 30 September, 2015.
We discussed our plan with you ahead of the event and you gladly took it up and made the day ever memorable for the families, friends and Associates of the oldest Senator of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), former House of Representatives’ member; former Chairman, Alliance for Democracy; Southwest Zone and presently, the Leader of Afenifere, Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba.
Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Otunba Dele Ajomale, Otunba Femi Deru, former ICAN Chairman, Representatives of both Governor Ambode and Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu – Ojo, Youths and Students’ Leaders across the Southwest States, Omo Odo Agba Cultural Troupe, among others, graced the occasion.
The inputs of the then Chief of Staff, Mr Samuel Olunkunle Ojo and Mr Tunde Onigbanjo team from the Protocol Department of the Governor’s Office were well appreciated
We equally felt your Excellency’s impact during the 2016 edition, marking Lagos @ 50 through your Representative, Hon Musliu Folami, the Hon Commissioner for Local Local Government and Chieftaincy’s Affairs. The outing was mainly to honour the illustrious Sons and Daughters of Yorubaland, including Your Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Prof Wole Soyinka, Late Prof Sophie Oluwole, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Otunba Dele Ajomale, Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor, Arcbishop Ayo Ladogbolu, Araba Yemi Elebuibon, Otunba JMK and few others
While many Awardees attended in person, few others like your Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof Wole Soyinka, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Otunba Dele Ajomale, Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor sent their Representatives, Hon Olayiwola Olawale (Omititi) delivered goodwill message of Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, the Hon Speaker, House of Assembly, Lagos State, cultural entertainment was still performed by one of our most outstanding Cultural Teams, Omo Odo Agba Cultural Group.
Bola Ige @ 17 Public Lecture, held at Nelson Mandela Square, Osogbo, in December 20, 2018 was a milestone for the Osun State Government, Lagos State Government and we, the Organiser.
As a Guest Speaker Sir, your Representative, Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Hon Commissioner for Information and Strategy, made you proud that day, alongside the 2nd Guest Speaker, an erudite Scholar, former Personal Secretary to the Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who doubles as a Prolific Author, Mr Odia Ofeimun.
Father and Mother of the day were Oloye Lekan Alabi and Princess Bisi Sangodoyin
Otunba JMK, and our good Brothers, Dr Charles Akinola, now Chief Of Staff, Osun State, and Alhaji (Comrade) Waheed Lawal, Coordinator, Coalition of Osun State Civil Societies, were in attendance to solidarise with Arole Bola Ige, Arc. Olumuyiwa Ige and we, the Organiser
The background role played by the Office Of Civic Engagement, Deputy Governor’s Office, jointly coordinated by its Special Adviser and the Special Assistant, Hon Kehinde Joseph and Hon Taiwo Ayedun (Shanana), was a solid foundation to our successful stage performance in Osun
Various Groups were in attendance including Majiyagbe Group, the Pathfinders, Different Ilerioluwa Women and Youths’ Associations, Osun State Market Women representing my dear Sister, Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu – Ojo.
Your Excellency’s, and Iyaloja General’s joint impacts on our Group’s development were worthy of commendation
We must not fail to acknowledge the laudable inputs of Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu – Ojo during the National meeting of Leaders of Thought in Nigeria, held in Mrs Paulen Tallen (Present Minister of Women Affairs) House, Abuja, in August 2019
While you Sir, and Chief Mrs Folasade Tinubu Ojo always stood solidly behind the National Secretariat Programmes’ during those challenging periods of our struggles, we equally recognise the contributions of both Governor Yaya Bello of Kogi State and Senator (Architect) Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, representing Kwara South, to the youth development in both States respectively.
Bola Ige @ 14 which paraded Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Barrister Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as Guest Speakers in December, 2015, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, was part of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s legacies. The first Lady was equally represented, while Hon Tunde Buraimoh stood in for Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, the Hon Speaker, House of Assembly, Lagos State.
The key roles played by former Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, in Alagba Adebayo Faleti @ 80 Public lecture held in 2011, at UI Conference Centre, as well as Bola Ige @ 9 memorial lecture held in Yaba, Lagos State, in 2009, both through his Representative, Late Political Adviser, Reverend Tunji Adebiyi, were highly appreciated and monumental
Through your individual and exemplary contributions which endear you all to everyone, we are able to find out that you are all Quintessential Politicians and Leaders of unequal Rivals, still young, eloquent, brilliant, industrious and Yoruba Cultural Ambassadors at all times
To you all, we say many, Happy Returns!
Every period is for the Birthday’s celebration while mourning of the departed comes once in a blue moon, but surprisingly, this period has turned to season of Birthday’s celebration and mourning of our loved ones. Within 48 hours, Pastor Ìbídùn Ighodalo, Sen Báyọ̀ Ọṣìnọ́wọ̀ (Pepperito), Sir Solomon Akindélé, Prof. Emeritus Ọládípọ̀ Akinkùgbé, AIT ace newscaster Nkiruka Udom had passed on.
Could it be as a result of an addition from the COVID – 19 Pandemic? What an irony?
There is need for real carefulness as many have relaxed on the Covid-19 precautionary drills. Unfortunately, the new strain is more vicious, virulent and kills faster. It’s not yet Uhuru, so please, let’s keep safe.
We must all continue to pray for former Governor Abíọ́lá Ajímọ́bi of Oyo State quick recovery and miracle of deliverance from Covid attack.
Our dear Leader and Mentor of exactly 2 decades, Prof Olujinmi Oladipo Akinkunge, foremost Professor of Medicine of international repute, attended University of London and University of USA, Pro – Chancellor, Uniport; former VC, ABU; Founder, Ibadan Hypertensive Clinic; Iyanganku GRA, Ibadan; attended the inauguration of Bola Ige Centre for Justice, held in December 2004, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, with his loving Wife, Prof (Mrs) Sade Akinkunge.
They were the first to arrive the Venue, all the way from Ibadan, while Lagosisans were still struggling to catch up with the time. Awoists will always be Awoists. Late Hon (Hon) Justice Mustapha Akanbi, Pioneer Chairman, of ICPC, followed suit, all the way from Abuja.
Our dear Papa attended the event as Father of the day, and still doubled as the Representative of his Late friend, Dr Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and did receive Award on his behalf.
At this juncture, we must recognise the presence of the Representatives of Aloko of Iloko Ijesa, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Prof Dora Akunyili, while Dr (Barrister) Femi Falana, SAN; Mr Dare Babarinsa, Dr Akintola Benson, immediate past Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Lagos State, Comrade Segun Mayegun, former NANS President, Mr Niyi Idowu, the Senior Special Assistant then, Administration, to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and several others attended in person.
The first outing of Prof Akinkunge was during the maiden edition of Yoruba Youths’/Students’ Cultural festival held in both Cultural Centre and Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan. It was a week programme and 1st of its kind to be organised by us, as Yoruba Youths
His financial and moral contributions couldn’t be quantified, alongside other Leaders in and outside Yorubaland, like former Governor of Yobe State, now Senator, Buka Abba Ibrahim, Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd), Prof Akinkungbe’s Brother, Chief Olu Akinkunge, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Bola Ige, Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe, Chief Olu Falae, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Hon (Justice) Adewale Thompson, Rt (Hon) Olorumbe Mamora, Sir Remi Omotoso, Alhaji Ayandepo, Dr Olu Agunloye, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Hon Oladosu Oladipo, Alhaji Kayode Adekojo and several others
You always said our successful outings were the products of Yoruba philosophy as described by our Organizational motto “Omode Gbon, Agba Gbon,…” And was the process of handling over the baton of Yoruba future Leadership to us.
It’s now gradually becoming a reality, haven looked at the list above and we wished you were all still around.
Sir Remi Omotoso, former Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Limited, always distinguished himself as a true Son of Oduduwa with his regular intervention on many events staged by any Yoruba Youths’ Organization
The Late Senator Bayo Dhikirrullahi Osinowo was one of the outstanding Comrades during the fierce June 12 Struggles in and outside Nigeria. He was the Youth Leader of the Social Democratic Party, under which Late Bashorun MKO Abiola contested
These two qualities made him to understand our language better in the Struggles than any of his Coallegues, when it comes to the June 12 Celebration and our various projects which were centred on the Youth development
Pastor (Mrs) Ibidunni Olajumoke Ituah – Ighodalo, 1999 Miss Nigeria, a Philanthropist, Events’ Manager, who rose from her modest life to the enviable heights at just 39 years before saying good Night to all.
To the ever Progressive Nation Newspaper, our condolences over the death of your Chief Cartoonist, Mr Azeez Sanni, very resourceful a man.
You have all left indelible ink in the sands of time. May God give your Individual Governors, families, friends and associates the fortitude to bear these irreparable looses
To you all, we raise our voice in concert, with emotion, “o dagbara, o dagbara o, Akinkungbe, Omotoso, Osinowo, Ighodalo, Sanni, Akindele, Udom, dagbara Ojo, won o yale mo. Won dagbara o o o.
Our departed Heroes and Heroine, Good Night!
Comrade Awa Bamiji
President General (Aare Apapo)
Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba)
