The Premier University in the ancienty City of Ibadan, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State, has been in the news since 23 April, 2024, in preparation for the hosting of 2024 Yoruba Day by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Adebowale, mni. Yoruba Day is an important occasion in Yorubaland that always brings together the eminent Personalities drawn from various geopolitcal Zones and the 3 Arms of Government, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. The topical issues are always being discussed during the Programme.

This year is not an exception as Today, Monday, 23 September, 2024, witnessed the Yoruba Unity Gathering of the following Leaders of Thought during the 12th Yoruba Youth Leadership Summit celebrating Chief (Dr) Lere Paimo, MFR, alias Eda Onile-Ola @ 85 and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu @ 64

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, as one of the Southwest Governors invited as Guests of Honour was ably represented by Comrade Segun Mayegun, former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who was naturally supposed to stand in for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with whom he holds a joint ticket, was represented by Hajia Adekunle Monsurat; Honourable Sola Oladepo, Osun State former Commissioner for Environment, stood in for Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu was represented by Barrister Wole Efunnuga, while His Royal Highness, Oba Reuben Adesina Amoo, Alaaje of Ajeland, Aaje – Ologo, Ogbomoso, received Dr Bimbo Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s Odu’a Award Plaque, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu chaired the Occasion alongside Senator Shehu Sani, who was represented by Mr Ewalamohun Kokumo; Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, founding father of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former Special Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari, 1979 to 1983, was equally represented by Mallam Tahiru; Oyo State Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Bello M. Adamu, represented the Commissioner of Police, CP Sonubi Oluyemi Ayodele, who was billed to receive the Odu’a Award Plaque, for the Inspector General of Police (IGP); IGP Kayode Egbetokun; Itsekiri High Chief and foremost Rights’ Activist, Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor; Comrade Wale Ariwoola represented his Elder Brother, who is the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon (Justice) Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON; Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Araba of Osogbo; Senator Ayo Adeseun, former Senator from Oyo Central Senatorial District; Mr Wole Oladokun and Mr Femi Adeyanju are the 2 Representatives from late Chief Michael Koleosho family; Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola – Oni and her Twin Sister, Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Adesida; Mr Ayo Boboye, Personal Assistant to late Senator Biyi Durojaiye and that of late Comrade Baba Omojola, Comrade Tijani Monsuru Ademola; Aide to Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Mr Awe Adeseye; Chief Oladipo Oyewole, Secretary – General, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE); (Dr) Taye Ayorinde, Baale Ekotedo; Prof Soji Adejumo, former Chairman, SUBEB, Oyo State and Ajiroba of Ibadanland; Comrade Sheu Musa Shittu, represented Engr (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director (MD), Lagos State Metropolitian Area Transport Authoritaty (LAMATA); APC Chieftain in Ife/Ijesa Zone, Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe; Itsekiri Cultural Troupe was led to the venue by High Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor to perform in honour of First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu @ 64; Mr Waidi Salau, represented Chief (Mrs) Labake Lawal, Iyaloja – General of Ibadanland, among Other Dignitaries in attendance.

The sitting condemned the Advocates of both Military Takeover and Seccession, pledged to uphold the Unity of Nigeria, which to them, remains sacroscant and concluded that Parliamentary or Regional System of Government is better because it is less expensive, allows healthy rivalry among the Regions for economic and political relevance, as it was experienced when it was put into practice.

At the end of the annual deliberation and Action packed World Class cultural entertainment of Itsekiri Troupe, from Delta State, the beautifully carved Odu’a Award Plaques were bestowed on various individuals, who have distinghuised themselves in their different Areas of Specialisation while the Nigerian youngest Virtual Artist, 10 year Old, Morenikeji Ebunoluwa Joshua, presented the framed drawing portrait of the Celebrant, Chief (Dr) Lere Paimo, MFR, alias Eda Onile-Ola @ 85 to the Owner in the full glare of the Press.

2024 YORUBA DAY AWARDEES

1) Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo – Dosumu,

“Omo Oloore” Ti Ile Odu’a

2) Dr Abimbola Samuel Ladoke Akintola

“Omo Oloore” Ti Ile Odu’a

3) Dr Obafemi Kadri Hamzat
Deputy Governor of Lagos State
“Orikadun, Ogota Odun” Odu’a Award

4) Otunba (Senator) Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State

“Agbomola Ti Ile Odu’a”

5) Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola
Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

“Amin Eye Orikadun, Adorin Odun”

6) Chief Bayo Adelabu, Minister of Power
Hon. Minister of Power
“Alaluyo Oludari l’eka Inan monanmonan”

7) Hon (Justice) Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, retired Chief Justice of Nigeria

“Alaseyori Ti Ile Odu’a”

8) Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police

“Alaseyori Ti Ile Odu’a”

9) Senator Shehu Sani, June 12 Hero

“Enitan Idibo June 12”

10) Prof Kayode Adebowale, mni, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan

“Ogo Ibadan”

11) Prof Isaac Adewole, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan and former Minister of Health

“Aduro Tini l’ojo Isoro”

12) Otunba Henry Dele Ajomale
Former 2 Cabinet Member, Lagos State and former Chairman of AD, AC, ACN and APC
“Orikadun, Ogorin Odun”

13) Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate Spokesperson

“Irawo Nla Ti Ile Odu’a”

14) Ambassador Sola Iji, “Eni Aye Nfe”

15) Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-damak), Aare (President) Muslumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States

“Ajagun Esin Ti Ile Odu’a”

16) Alhaji Muideen Bello, a renowned Islamic Cleric

“Ajagun Esin Ti Naijiria”

17) Apostle (Dr) S.M.O Mustapha, JP, (Babasebioba)
“Ajagun Esin Ti Naijiria”

18) Kunle Afod, Yoruba movie Actor

“As’orekariaye”

19) Ibrahim Chatta, Yoruba movie Actor

“Ireti Ola Ere Ori Itage”

20) Princess Toyin Kolade, Iyalaje Odu’a

‘”Adunbarinmatosi”

21) Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Chairman, Board of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

“Enitan Idibo 2023”

22) Prof Soji Adejumo, former Chairman, SUBEB, Oyo State

“Ojogbon Iwe Ati Oselu”

23) Mr Thomas Ogungbangbe

“Ore Mekunnu”

24) Barrister Hammed Raji, SAN

“Olugbeja Mekunnu”

25) Engineer (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)

“Amin Eye Iranti Eni Si Rere” Posthumous Award for late Partriach, Alhaji Akinola Shamsideen Adams

26) Hon (Dr) Ibraheem Olajide Salami, a.k.a Dikko, Chairman and Sole Administrator, Pacesetter Transport Services, Oyo State.

“Amin Eye Iranti Eni Si Rere”: Posthumous Award for late Partriach, Dr Liadi Olagoke Salami

Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, has been the Organiser of this annual Celebration since 2001 till date.

Well done Sir. – Bose Joseph, Leader, Made In Lagos Ladies

Welldone Comrade – Jide Adeniran, June 12 Activist and Alumnus, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile – Ife

Alfa Abdul Hamid Mutiu Raji, member, Newpaper Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, thanking you Sir. I appriahece it a lot. Thank you once again