By Opeyemi Olawore
Several distinguished sons and daughters of Ibarapa, who have excelled in public service, civil service, academia, leadership, security and national development, were honoured at the Ibarapa Critical Stakeholders Forum (ICSF) Grand Reception and Recognition Ceremony held on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The event, held in honour of outstanding Ibarapa indigenes, attracted prominent traditional rulers, public servants, academics, professionals, political leaders and community stakeholders from across the seven towns of Ibarapa.
The principal honouree was the Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State, Dr. Adenike Fasina, who was recognised for her distinguished career and elevation to the position by the Oyo State Government.
In his welcome address, the Coordinator of ICSF described the forum as a non-partisan, inclusive and community-oriented platform established to bring together eminent sons and daughters of Ibarapa, professionals, traditional leaders, public and civil servants, academics, business leaders, community development advocates and other stakeholders committed to the advancement of the area.
He said the vision of the forum was to build a united, progressive, prosperous and development-conscious Ibarapa where the talents, achievements and collective strength of its people would be harnessed for the benefit of present and future generations.
The forum commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for the confidence reposed in Dr. Fasina by appointing her as Head of Public and Civil Service of the state.
It also acknowledged other notable sons and daughters of Ibarapa who, according to the organisers, had continued to distinguish themselves and project the good image of the community through their various professions.
The Coordinator noted that the appointment of Dr. Fasina was not the first time an Ibarapa indigene would occupy the position of Head of Service in Oyo State.
He recalled that the area had previously produced two Heads of Service, Mr. Samson Gboyega Olaoye and Pastor (Mrs.) Modupe Akinbode, who served as the Father and Mother of the occasion respectively.
The forum also called for greater collaboration among Ibarapa stakeholders, stressing the need to build enduring partnerships capable of translating collective ideas and goodwill into measurable development outcomes.
Fasina Urges Workers to Remain Dedicated
Responding, the Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State, Dr. Adenike Fasina, expressed appreciation to the Ibarapa Critical Stakeholders Forum for organising the reception and recognising distinguished sons and daughters of the area.
Fasina also called on workers in the state to remain committed, dedicated and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.
She was subsequently conferred with the Grand Distinguished Public Service Award, while other honourees received the Distinguished Public Service Recognition Award.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, commended the ICSF for initiating the recognition programme.
Olapegba assured the organisers that the honourees would continue to uphold excellence and professionalism in their respective places of assignment.
Distinguished Ibarapa Indigenes Honoured
Among those honoured at the ceremony were Major General Ayobami Fadairo, General Officer Commanding, 82 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu; Dr. Adenike Fasina, Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State; Dr. (Mrs.) Kafilat Adefunke Hamzat, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Sector, Ibarapa Zone; Prince Imran Adegoke Adenrele, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Civil Service; Mr. Muyiwa Sunday Olagoke, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Civil Service; and Mr. Zacheaus Olawale Olaniyan, Permanent Secretary/Tutor-General, Oyo State Post-Primary Schools Teaching Commission.
Others included Mr. Biliaminu Aderinto, Permanent Secretary/Inspector-General of Education; Mr. Oluwatosin Aderibigbe, Permanent Secretary/Inspector-General of Education, Ibarapa Education Zone; Hon. Justice Yemi Saubana Adekunle, Judge, Oyo State High Court of Justice; Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information; Mr. Jacob Olusegun Olaewe, Bursar, Federal College of Education, Okene; and Mrs. Adejuwon Bolatito Sekinat, Bursar, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.
Also honoured were Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Vice-Chancellor, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora; CP Hammed Sule, Force Communications Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Prof. Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, 14th Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan; Engr. Olufemi Emmanuel Dare, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State; and Mrs. Funmilayo Bosede Akintunde, Registrar, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.
The Grand Reception and Award Ceremony was chaired by Mr. S. O. Oladeni, Chairman, Eruwa Elders Council, while Hon. Funmilayo Orisadeyi, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Oyo State, served as co-chair.
The event attracted traditional rulers and prominent stakeholders, including Oba Samuel Adegbola, Ajobo Olurin I, Eleruwa of Eruwa; Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, Asorolu Ayinla V, Olu of Igboora; and Oba Alhaji Rafiu Adeniyi Olaniyi, Ariwoola Aako II, Asigangan of Igangan.
The ceremony provided an avenue for celebrating excellence among Ibarapa indigenes while reinforcing the need for unity, collaboration and collective efforts towards the socio-economic development of Ibarapa land.
