Kunle ADELABU
It was honour galore at the 2018 Oga Award Day as Ganiyu Adedamola Oriolowo, the Medical Director, Rago Dental Clinic, the first Dental Clinic in Ikorodu, Dr Mudasiru Suraju Oladosu, Ph.D holder and an associate Professor, Lagos State University, Ojo, Chief Joseph Olatunji Aluko, Baale Owutu, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, Principal, Lagos State University International School , a caterer of note, Alhaja Shukurat Adejoke Aminu, a young entrepreneur, and Mr Adeleke Babatunde Akadiri and a host of others were honoured by the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) .
The Oga Day Award ceremony was part of the week-long activities marking the celebration of the 27th edition of Ikorodu-Oga Day.
Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, the Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), while speaking at the award stated that the association is charged with the responsibilities of facilitating and accelerating development in Ikorodu.
“IKODASS is a social institution charged with among other responsibilities, the facilitation and acceleration of development of Ikorodu community which will be practically impossible without money.
“We have so many projects in focus among which are: completion of the construction of Ikorodu-Oga Civic Centre; skills acquisition programmes for our youths which are meant to arrest the wide scale unemployment among our teeming and virile youths; execution of pressing community-based projects and provision of gifts for hospitals, orphanages and old people’s home etc; provision of scholarships for brilliant but indigent students and the propagation of our cultural heritage to the level of tourism”.
Otunba Abiru, while congratulating the awardees, also directed them to add the awards to their names.
“I have the approval of the Executive members of the IKODASS to inform you that our desire is to popularize these (IKODASS) awards, consequently, the awardees are, therefore, authorized to add the awards after their names. For instance, a Fellow Awardee could add FIOA (Fellow, Ikorodu-Oga Awardee) and this applies to all other Awards” , he stated.
Citations of some of the Awardees :
Dr Ganiyu Oriolowo, who retired in 2007, was the Head of Dental Department, Ogun State Health Hospital Management Board. He joined the service in 1990.
He was Dental Surgeon II, General Hospital, Gembu, Taraba State, between 1989 to 1990.
Oriolowo established the first dental clinic in Ikorodu called Rago Dental Clinic in 1990, established the first Private Dental News Magazine in Nigeria based in Ikorodu in 1995 and it was launched at the Ikorodu Town hall in June of that year. He was a former Vice Chairman and later Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Ikorodu branch, and the association has clinically touched the lives of nearly all families in Ikiorodu.
He was also among the founder of Orere Abosan Community Development Association, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA,a community association he served as Secretary and Chairman for several years.
Chief Joseph Aluko is the head of Jewunola Chieftaincy family in Owutu and he’s the traditional head of the community.
He was a politician and socialite of no mean repute.
He is a devout Christian and Patrons of many clubs, associations and societies.
Dr Mudasiru Suraju Oladosu is an associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University.
He bagged his doctorate degree in 2011 from the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he also bagged his Master of Science (M.Sc) in 1998 after graduating from the Lagos State University (LASU) with Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1995.
He has been a senior lecturer (2005 – 2012), Lecturer I (2005 – 2012), Lecturer II (2012 – 2005), Assistant lecturer (1998 – 2002) and Graduate Assistant (1996).
He was the Best Graduating student, Department of Political Science, LASU, among other honours.
Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo is an educationist and the Principal, Lagos State Universitry International School, Ojo.
He was the former Principal, De Young Schools Ikorodu, and a former lecturer (Part-Time) with Olabisi Onabanjo University Consult and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.
He was also a former President, Ikorodu Students Association, former General Secretary, Caretaker Committee, College of Education Students Union Government. He also served in many capacities during his studentship days. Presently, he’s the Divisional Youth Leader/Director, Youths Wing of Hon. Babajimi Benson iCare Foundation.
Alhaji Odumbo’s teaching and leadership careers have produced many professionals and graduates in many fields.
He has participated in many conferences, trainings and workshops, as well as served on different panels and committees. He is a foremost community developer.
Alhaja Shukurat Adejoke Aminu started her elementary education at Saint John’s School, Arloya, Lagos Island. She proceeded to Teachers’ Training College, Ikorodu in 1975.
Abitop is she is fondly called by admirers and others started gainful employment in 186 at Nicemtex as a Clerk. While at Nicemtex, she rendered part-time service in Catering.
Her passion for catering made her retired voluntarily from her employment in 2008 to face catering service fully. She started her catering service business, ABITOP Caterers.
Mr Adeleke Babatunde Akadiri was a former Students Union Government, former Chairman, National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ikorodu chapter, and currently the Managing Director, Lekad and Associates, a conglomerate that has become an employer of labour.
He had worked as Litigation Officer, classroom teacher and manager of many businesses.
He is an activist, community developer and grassroots mobilizer.
Her commitment and dedication to the business earned her household acceptance and status as the official caterers to many clubs, associations and multi-national companies, governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Other awardees were Alhaja Ganiat Ibijoke Agbaje, Prince Samuel Olusegun Benson , Late (Alhaji) Amidu Dawodu Olowosago, Mrs Bola Risikat Gbadamosi (Monyashau), Omoba Sunday Adesola Owolabi Ogede, Chief Falola Adisa Odubote, Prince Ajibade Odugbesi and several others.
