Kunle Adelabu
Another set of eminent and distinguished individuals who have made names for themselves in different fields of human endeavours and reached the peak of their careers with exemplary records of service to the nation, state and Ikorodu were on Saturday inducted into the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame.
Inducted by the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), were Honourable Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, , Justice of the Supreme Court; Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, the Accountant General of the Federation of Nigeria, and Chairman, African Association of Accountants- General; Brigadier General (Dr.) Babatunde Idris Solebo; Surv. AbdulGaniyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, the Surveyor General of the Federation; Mr Olayemi Mohammed Solana, Director General, Bank of Nigeria; Dr. (Col.) Titilola Bolaji Onafowokan (rtd.), Ph. D., scholar, retired soldier and community developer; and Engr. (Chief) Chrysanthius Olayiwola Adegbola, an engineer and former chairman, IDRDG; and Oloye Oye Solebo, professional, founding member Oriwu Club and community builder.
Also, Sir (Dr.) Olalekan Olaolu Shobowale, Ph.D, KJW; scholar, public administrator and former chairman, IDRDG; Prince Tajudeen Adedapo Odofin, FCA, chartered Accountant, former Commissioner of Finance, Lagos State and former Chairman, IDRDG and founding member, Oriwu Club; Chief (Mrs) Victoria Efundehinde Shonubi, a business woman and former Iyalode of Ikorodu and Balogun Jaiyesimi, a war general.
Two former royal fathers – Late Oba (Dr.) Johnson Olatunji Fatola, Jp., Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Late Oba Rabiu Hassan Jimbo, the first Sekumade of Ipakodo.
Their induction at a well -attended 8th induction ceremony held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, made the numbers of honorees inducted into the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame a total of 97.
Alhaji Mohammed Tairu Amusa, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) welcoming honorees and guests, said the event is designed to honour some distinguished individuals for their remarkable achievements and contributions.
”Today is a very special day as we gather to celebrate and honour our heroes, past and present, whose remarkable contributions have positively impacted the growth and advancement of Ikorodu Division.”
”The eminent individuals being celebrated today have distinguished themselves in various professions and fields of human endeavour, including the Judiciary, Finance, Public Service, the Armed Forces, Engineering, and other areas.
”Through dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and selfless service to humanity, they have contributed immensely to the development of our society.”
While stating that some of the honorees occupied prominent positions and continue to make Ikorodu proud, the IDRDG chairman, added that honouring them would serve as encouragement and motivation to the younger generations to also strive to attain greatness.
”Some of our honourees have risen to very prominent positions in our great nation, Nigeria, and have continued to make Ikorodu Division proud through their achievements and contributions to national development.
We also have among the inductees those who have demonstrated that age is never a barrier to academic excellence and the attainment of greater heights.”
”The establishment of the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame is to celebrate our distinguished sons and daughters, a deliberate effort by IDRDG to recognise excellence, preserve our history, and inspire future generations.”
”We firmly believe that the achievements and legacies of these distinguished individuals will serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to our younger generation, particularly pupils and students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, researchers, professionals and families at large.
Their life stories clearly demonstrate that dedication, hard work, integrity and service to humanity can make a lasting difference in society.”
He charged the younger generations:
”As we celebrate these distinguished inductees today, I urge all of us, especially our young people, to draw inspiration from their remarkable journeys and strive to make meaningful contributions to the development of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, and Nigeria at large.”
Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works and a chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) who chaired the induction ceremony, congratulated the inductees.
The former Minister who himself served as IDRDG Chairman in the past and an inductee into the Hall of Fame, emphasised the importance of the significance of the ceremony, stating the newly inducted individuals are deserving.
HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu represented by High Chief Olufemi Emmanuel Onafowokan, the Aro of Ikorodu; HRM Oba Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, the Alajede of Ijede; Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative, Ikorodu federal constituency, Prince Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG; Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA; Prince Olabode Ogunleye, a distinguished accountant and forner Chairman, IDRDG, Chief (Engr ( Olukayode Showers, former Chairman, IDRDG; Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Head of Service and former Chairman, IDRDG among many others were in attendance.
