It is a common knowledge that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu travelled out of the Country yesterday to France on a private visit, officially leaving the host Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, behind as next in rank among the invited Guests, who could adequately represent him at the 2024 Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Lecture and Award Presentation, organised by Sir Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation inaugurated in 2017, with its headquarters located in Lagos State while Ogbomoso housed the annex
The latter was equally busy with another state assignment but sending messages of hoping to join the dignitaries inside the Hall later, from where he was commissioning the dualised old Ife Road of Agodi Gate Round About/ Alakia Airport/Adegbayi project housing Onipepeye Bridge at Sawmill, Iwo Road. In the meantime, Mr Dotun Oyelade, one of the Guest Speakers and the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State, was standing in for him. “Man proposes, God disposes”, Acting Governor/Acting President, couldn’t be replaced throughout the event.
Mr President was not there physically but his “broken chain Logo” was visible throughout the event from the May 29 inauguration fabric decked with its cap put on by his longstanding core loyalist, Comrade Awa Bamiji, National Coordinator, Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria and Civil Societies’ Coordinator for Today’s event, who stood in for both Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, founding father of Arewa Consultative Forum, and Veteran Actor in Nollywood Industry, Chief Lere Paimo (alias Eda Onileola). As if it was planned, he was supported by 3 key Leaders in attendance who equally put on different caps carrying the same “broken chain Logo” that is in vogue for Decades, Hon Bashiru Akanbi, JP, Akaatapa, who is a son of Akaatapa, late friend of Sir Ladoke Akintola, in Ogbomosoland, Hon Sola Kolawole of Sir Ladoke Akintola Foundation and Comrade Dauda Ajeja Lawal, representing Comrade Moshood Erubami, Convener, Voters’ Assembly or Electorate in Nigeria, as we can see clearly in the attached picture.
Prof Muyiwa Popoola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowder University, Oyo, Oyo State, was the 2nd Guest Speaker and both Speakers alongside other participants extoled virtues of Sir Ladoke Akintola and harped on the need for all progressive minded individuals to continue emulating him and the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed, both of whom they described as “a winning team” and their post independence administrations in the Southwest Region were corrupt free.
We have a long list of attendance starting from Olugbon of Orile Igbon; Prof Olatunde Rom Kalilu, Acting Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Daughter and Grandsons of the late Hero, Dr Bimbo Akintola (former Minister) and Akinwunmi Akintola (Son of Ambassador (Chief) Abayomi Akintola, who was a former Minister of State) respectively, Otunba Babatunde Dada, former Minister of Agriculture and water Resources, Chairman/Father of the day High Chief Lekan Alabi, Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, he was being given double honour by the Akintola’s family because of his closeness to the late Hero during his lifetime, Barrister Oladosu Oladipo, Leader, Next Level Movement/Yoruba Patriot Movement, Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola – Oni and her Twin Sister, Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Ola – Oni, Senator Ayo Adeseun; A Representative of Mother of the day, Hon Mulikat Adeola Akande, former Majority Leader, House of Representative; Alhaji (Dr) Oriyomi Hamzat, Chairman, Agidigbo Fm; Dr Olusoji Adeyanju representing Oyo State Head of Service, Comrade Kabir Adeshokan, popular Radio Presenter, Otunba Babatunde Adeoye, Comrade Shehu Musa Shittu, Secretary NASFAT, Comrade Michelle Ador, a member of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Comrade Luqman Olayiwola Lafiku, June 12 Activist and National Deputy Coordinator, APCNYN, Comrade Akinpelu Adeshina, the National Publicity Secretary, OPC new era and his P.A Olumuyiwa Amure, Comrade Gbenga Bamidele Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Leader and other Leaders of various Civil Societies Organisations affiliated to Coalition for A Better Nigeria were equally in attendance, apart from Secondary Schools’ Students from the following list
Ikolaba High School, Christ High School, Oleyo, Ibadan, Aglican Commercial Grammar School, Oritamefa, Methodist Grammar School, Bodija Ojurin, Queen of Apostle Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Oba Akinbiyi High School II, Oremeji, Mokola, Ibadan, and Ikolaba Grammar School.
While High Chief Alloy Obi, Onyendu Ndi Igbo(Igbo Leader), Ibadan and Oyo State led 3 High Chiefs to the Venue, other members in the approved list of Civil Societies that couldn’t make it sent their Representatives to the gathering
Dr Abimbola Akintola in her speech, said her late father had contributed to the attainment of independence at different levels, taking into consideration various Offices he had held and various capacity he had meritorously served in promoting Unity of Nigeria and the course of humanity in general. – Leader of Opposition in the House of Representatives, first Minister of Labour, Minister of Health, Minister of Communication and Aviation, Deputy Leader of Action Group (AG), founder of Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in the first Republic and the last Premier of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, the 13th Aare Ona – Kakanfo of Yorubaland and a host of Others.
Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, who spoke through his Representative, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said Sir Ladoke Akintola and late Chief Obafemi Awolowo were not only “a winning team” but a Bridge Builder, and the reason why the entire Northern Nigeria was being represented Today by him, in appreciation of their Party, Action Group’s contributions towards attainment of Nigerian independence in October 1st, 1960
Hon Bashiru Akanbi, JP, Akaatapa, recalled narrated his ordeal of missing the assured scholarship by the late Premier of Western Region, who took one Child each from the 2 Widows of his late father for the scholarship up to the University levels during his condolence visit to their breaved family earlier with the arrangement that the scholarship would start running by January, the same month he was assassinated during the January, 1966 Coup De tat, which terminated the post independence Civilian administration
He went further to remember his unique contribution in ensuring the building of extra Model General Hospital in Ogbomoso, now Teaching Hospital, apart from Cocoa House and University College Hospital (UCH) that were both commissioned during his tenure as Premier of Western Region.
Alhaji (Dr) Oriyomi Hamzat Chairman Agidigbo Fm was very glad with impressive attendance of Secondary Schools’ Students, all of whom he believed they have been adequately lectured by the forum about personality of late Sir Samuel Ladoke Akintola, and they can go ahead to educate their mates in various levels
The ancient Hall was filled to the brim under a conducive atmosphere and everybody gave kudos to the Organiser of the event.
Cross section of the Hightable: Comrade Awa Bamiji, Otunba Babatunde Dada, former Minister of Agriculture and water Resources, Dr Abimbola Akintola (Daughter of the late Hero) and High Chief Lekan Alabi, Chairman/father of occasion
SIR LADOKE AKINTOLA MEMORIAL LECTURE: APPROVED LIST OF 20 CIVIL SOCIETIES’ INVITED GUESTS
1) Elder (Dr) Taye Ayorinde, Baale Ekotedo, Chairman, Yoruba World Assembly, representing the Group and 10, 000 Baales in Ibadanland
2) Prof Sabitu Olagoke, JP, Leader, Shafaudeen Islamic Center Worldwide
2) Chief Lere Paimo, OFR (alias Eda Onileola, Ogbomoso Indegene)
3) Chief Akin Oke (former Chairman, APC, Oyo State/Ogbomoso Indegene)
4) Comrade Moshood Erubami, Convener, Voters’ Assembly
4) Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola Oni and her Twin Sister, Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Adesida
5) Barrister Oladosu Oladipo, Tinubu Next Level Movement/Yoruba Patriot Movement
6) Prof Soji Adejumo, former Chairman, SUBEB, Oyo State
7) Awa Bamiji (Coordinator, Coalition of Civil Societies for the 2024 Sir Ladoke Akintola memorial lecture/Rep, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, founding father of Arewa Consultative Forum)
8) Michelle Ador (Redeemed Church)
9) Yinka Agboola (Publisher, Parrot Magazine)
10) Babatunde Adeoye (Publisher, Westernlife)
11) Comrade Shehu Musa Shittu (Secretary, NASFAT)
12) Comrade Tunde Bashir (June 12 Activist and Chairman, Osanja Productions, Ibadan)
13) Comrade Luqman Olayiwola Lafiku (June Activist and National deputy Coordinator APCNYN)
14) Kabir Adeshokan (a.k .a Mr Speaker, Lagos/Ibadan Radio Presenter)
15) Rukayat Oyelere
16) Salam Oyejide Surajudeen, former NANS Senate President
17) Shina Akinpelu (OPC New Era)
18) High Chief Alloy Obi, Onyendu Ndi Igbo (Igbo Leader), Ibadan and Oyo State
19) Dauda Alimi Master of Beko Ransome Kuti Center for Constitional Governance (CCG) Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos State
20) Lanleyin Olasunkanmi, National Leader from the Southwest Region, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)
Event held Today, Thursday, 25/01/24 inside House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan Oyo State, starting from 10am prompt.
Strictly by Invitation Card which admits one person.
Signed: (Chief) Ambassador Abayomi Akintola
👍 Pa Akinsanya Sunny Ajose, former PS, Governor’s Office, Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, member, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Lagos State, immediate past Chief of Staff to Mr President and Representative of Mr President in our team
Welldone Brother! -Omotaje Saint, former President of Obafemi Awolowo University OAU Students’ Union Government
Good morning and congratulations on the above information on NCISGBS Whatsapp Platform Sir. My name is Dr Prince Adeyemo Olusola Peter from Ogbomoso of Oyo state but base in Ogun state. The DG APCPA. Nigeria.
Congratulations in advance! -Chief Barr Okonkwo Oliver Interim State Youth Leader APC, Anambra State. Lead Partner Okonkwo, Mokwe & Partners
Awa, crosscheck the numbering of your list and re number it. – Comrade Akintunde, CDHR, Lagos State
We noticed that later. Thank for your observation. We are on course!
U no invite us? Lol – Afeez Bolaji Repete, former Deputy National Youth Leader of APC
👍 Shola Omolola Justice, June 12 Activist and former Student Unionist, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Osun State
U are great and appreciated for coordinating the lecture. Keep it up.