By Adeyinka Adeniran
A grand reception and recognition ceremony held at the weekend to honour Ibarapa sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in public and civil service, leadership, academic, security and national development.
The grand reception and recognition ceremony organized by Ibarapa Critical stakeholders Forum (ICSF) brought distinguished Sons and Daughters and Stakeholders who have excelled in their chosen career together, across the seven towns of Ibarapa including the Principal Honoree, the Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State, Dr. Adenike Fasina.
In his address of welcome, the coordinator, 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 Ibarapa land.
The Coordinator revealed that the vision of ICSF is to build a united, progressive, prosperous, and development conscious Ibarapa, where the talent, achievements, and collective strength of its people are harnessed for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Forum commended the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde for the confidence reposed in Dr. Adenike Fasina by appointing her as the Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State, while acknowledging other notable sons and daughters of Ibarapa land for representing the Ibarapa community well.
In his words, “this is not the first time that Ibarapa son and daughter will be appointed as Head of Service; in the past Ibarapa had produced two Head of Service namely; Mr Samson Gboyega Olaoye and Mrs Modupe Akinbode who served as the Father and Mother of the occasion respectively.”
The Ibarapa Critical Stakeholders Forum called for greater collaboration among stakeholders towards building enduring partnerships that can translate collective ideas and good will into measurable development outcomes.
In her address, the Head of Public and Civil Service (HOS) of Oyo State appreciated the Ibarapa Critical Stakeholders for organizing a grand reception in her honour and for recognizing distinguished notable Son and Daughters of Ibarapa who have excelled and occupied leadership position.
The HOS called on eorkers in the state to remain committed and dedicated to duty.
The Head of Service was conferred with Grand Distinguished Public Service Award while other distinguished honorees were conferred with Distinguished Public Service Recognition Award.
Responding on behalf of the Honorees, the 14th Vice Chancellor for the University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olapegba commended the ICSF for their initiative, while assuring that they will not relent in exhibiting excellence in their respective places of assignment.
The honorees are Major General Ayobami Fadairo, the General Officer Commanding 82 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, the Head of Public and Civil Service of Oyo State, Dr. Adenike Fasina, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Sector, Ibrapa Zone, Dr. (Mrs.) Kafilat Adefunke Hamzat, Prince Imran Adegoke Adenrele, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Civil Service, Mr. Muyiwa Sunday Olagoke, PS. Oyo State Civil Service and Mr. Zacheaus Olaniyan, PS. Tutor General, Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Commission.
Other honorees are Mr. Biliaminu Aderinto, PS. Inspector General of Education, Mr. Oluwatosin Aderibigbe, PS. Inspector General of Education, Ibarapa Education Zone, Justice Yemi Saubana Adekunle, Judge, Oyo State High Court of Justice, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye, PS. Ministry of Information, Mr. Jacob Olaewe, Bursar, Federal College of Education, Okene, Mrs. Adejuwon Sekinat, Bursar, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.
Also, the Vice Chancellor, Emmanuel Alayande, University of Education, Oyo, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, the Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, CP. Hammed Sule, Force Communication Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the 14th Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, 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 and Hon. Funmilayo Orisadeyi, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Oyo State.
The event was well attended by Oba Samuel Adegbola, Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, the Olu of Igboora land, Oba Alhaji Rafiu Adeniyi Olaniyi, the Asigangan of Igangan land among other sons and daughters of Ibarapa land.
