By Gbenga Ojikutu
The ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was on Wednesday, agog with festivities at a grand award ceremony.
The venue was at the Ambassador, Romoke Ayinde Hall, Aleshinloye, where the Supreme Forum of Yoruba Youth at its annual lecture bestowed honourary awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to society..
The ceremony was attended by a motley crowd of family, friends, politicians, royal fathers and other dignitaries, all gathered to celebrate the achievements of the honorees who were recognized and rewarded for working tirelessly to promote and preserve the Yoruba cultural heritage.
One of the individuals honoured for contributing immensely to the growth and development at the grassroot levelsis the executive chairman of Ado- Central Local Council Development Area,Engr.Toyin Augustine Ojo .
In his welcome remarks at the event ,the Forum’s National President, Otunba Oluwafemi Awogboro congratulated all the awardees for being found worthy and appreciated them for their contributions to the development of their society, preserving the Yoruba culture and heritage in their different domains .
He described Yoruba people as specially created beings with the richest culture in Nigeria which has economic capacity to lift people out of poverty .
The president urged parents to prevail upon their children to imbibe Yoruba culture noted that doing so would assist them in great deal to sustain our culture and heritage.
Speaking on the selection of Engr. Toyin Ojo as best performing council chairman in Ekiti State, Otunba Awogboro said based on a wide spread report of brilliant performance of the chairman in his council area with limited financial resources at his disposal, was a significant factor in selecting him for the award.
His words;”I have never seen or known the chairman before but a report of his good performance I heard from the people on the streets of Ado Ekiti when I visited the state recently really motivated the Forum to honour him
“I will appeal to the chairman to continue with his good work .The comments of people about your administration in Ekiti State are quite impressive”
Presenting the award ,His Royal Majesty ,Oba Olajide Titiloye ,the Olu of Igboora in Oyo State felicitated Engr.Toyin Ojo for doing Yoruba proud through the preservation of Yoruba culture and his sterling performance in his council area .He enjoined him to sustain the tempo.
In his response,Engr.Toyin Ojo expressed his gratitude to the Forum for recognizing his progressive activities in Ekiti State.
“I want to appreciate this Forum for the recognition accorded my efforts .In my council area ,the well-being of my people especially the vulnerable groups,remains paramount to me .A series of life-changing initiatives have been introduced ranging from payment of monthly stipends to the elderly,People With Disabilities (PWDs) among others.
“A number of legacy projects have also been commissioned and many others are on the verge of completion.I will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to my people ” Ojo assured .
Engr. Toyin Ojo emphasized the importance of rejuvenating Yoruba culture to drive economic growth and upliftment.
He urged the people, particularly the youth, to tap into the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba to overcome the current economic challenges facing the world.
Ojo also appealed to parents to introduce their children to Yoruba culture, stressing the need to preserve and promote the customs, traditions, and values that define the Yoruba people.
The event featured the recognition of notable personalities , including the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo who received a posthumous award through his wife,Ambassador Romoke Ayinde among others .
The award is the latest in a series of recognitions for Engr.Ojo who has received awards from the Yoruba Broadcasting Association (YBA) Ekiti State chapter in grassroots advancement and Tripple Scroll International Media Limited, Abuja in September and October 2024 respectively.
The event attracted highly placed traditional rulers in Yoruba land , politicians,top management staff of Ado -Central LCDA among others .
