Kunle Adelabu
Two prominent individuals in Ijede community of Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have been honoured by their community for attaining height in their chosen careers and bringing honour to Ijede.
They were described as outstanding achievers whose giant strides would impact on the youths and propel them to strive for greatness and also give the community good image.
The two achievers were honoured at an event organised by the Starlight newspaper held at the TBT Event Cente in Ijede, on Monday, July 11, 2022.
It event was tagged, ‘Celebration of Outstanding Achievers’.
The honorees were Alhaji Bashiru Akinwande Saminu who retired as the Assistant General Manager (AGM) (Audit) NCC and TSP, Osogbo. He started his career as a Cleaner/Labourer/Cleaner at Egbin Power Station and rose to the AGM position in the power company, while Princess Kafilat Omolade Hassan, FCA, emerged as the first female ICAN Chairman in Ikorodu Division and Society and first female ICAN Chairman, Western Zone (Southwest).
Mr Adedamola Aderibigbe, Publisher, Starlight Newspaper, explaining the reason his medium was mobilising Ijede community to celebrate the illustrious son and daughter of ljede, said that it is necessary to celebrate those that are making Ijede proud and prove to the world that the ancient community has quality personalities.
He also said that the celebration was necessary to correct the negative impression about Ijede.
“It’s quite unfortunate that people out there say all sorts of negative things about Ijede. When we go out there, people only talk about Ijede in term of cultism as if that’s the only thing happening here”, Olaribigbe said.
“During the Assembly saga, I was told at a fora with some leaders that we don’t have people to present for the Assembly seat. That is why we are celebrating some of our outstanding figures.
“This is a celebration of quality that we have in Ijede and it’s happening under the reign of the Regent
“We are doing this to show young ones that we have quality and exemplary individual that rose from a cleaner to become an Assistant General Manager.
“For Princess Kafilat, it’s not just that she’s well read, but also she emerged as the first female ICAN Chairman in Ikorodu Division and ICAN Western Zone. This is worthy of celebration”, he said.
In his royal remarks, High Chief Alliu Musediq, the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, commended Starlight for the initiative.
“This is good for Ijede and very laudable to show that we have quality and educated people in Ijede”, Regent said.
“These are good examples that we can be proud of and also point them to young to emulate.
“I thank Starlight for deeming it fit to honour them because young ones will now be looking up to them and that is an important way of changing our community”.
Hon. Femi Kabir Kareem, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, speaking with THE IMPACT, described Alhaji Saminu as a worthy son of Ijede who has impacted positively on the community.
“The two personalities have been actively involved in Ijede Students’ Unionism from time immemorial and up till now. They are still actively involved in community development through Ijede Development Foundation and Ijede Resource Forum”, he said.
“The worthy son and daughter of Ijede that were being celebrated were outstanding and unique in different ways.
“Alhaji Bashir Saminu, a passionate son from the Odumbaku Descendants of Ijede, is a distinguished philanthropist, a meticulous technocrat, generous personality with high street sense and credibility. To rise from a causal staff to Assistant General Manager in TCN speaks volume and that should serve as a motivation to coming generations.
“He is a person I have known for over 20 years now,doing one progressive and developmental activity or the other”, he added.
“Alhaja Kafilah Amusa, a humble and diligent daughter from the Ajanaku family, is indeed and in truth a worthy Ambassador of our town, especially the female folks. Her credentials is highly intimidating while her character is exceedingly exemplary. A daughter of an Educationist that took the banner from her dad and raise the bar higher”, the Ijede Vice Chairman said.
Chairman, Ijede Development Fiundation (IDF), Alhaji Fola Salu, also commendeding the initiative, said:
“This is a very laudable programme and for Starlight to think of organising event like this is very commendable
“The purpose is to honour these two people and let them know that we appreciate them and also use them to challenge young ones to greatness.
“It has shown that Ijede has quality and resourceful people who are also contributing to the development of the community”.
Alhaji Salu commended Alhaji Saminu for rising from a cleaner to the position of an Assistant General Manager and Princess Kafilat for defying all odds to lead her professional body.
He charged Ijede LCDA to get more involved in programmes of such nature to promote development in the community.
A friend of Alhaji Saminu, Mr Shina Ishola, on behalf of their club, thanked Ijede for honouring him.
“I am really impressed with the honour being bestowed on my friend, Alhaji Saminu, today for his personal attainment and efforts in developing the community”.
Madam Jolade, who also delivered a goodwill message, was full of praises for Alhaji Saminu whom she said sponsored her son when he was at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo, and also assisted in getting his result from the institution when he needed it abroad.
Others that spoke described Alhaji Saminu as humanitarian per excellence who has used his position to help many and also impacted on the community.
Other eminent guests at the event were Hon. Femi Kabir Kareem, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuyiwa, Odofin of Ijede, Imam Abba and Chief Executive Officer, TDT Event Centre among others
Honorees Brief Profiles:
Alhaji Bashiru Akinwande Saminu:
Alhaji Saminu holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Accountancy, Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jo’s, 2014, Masters Degree, University of Ibadan, 2000 and Higher and Ordinary National Diploma both in Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo, 1993 and 1990 respectively.
He is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Accountancy; Associate, Chartered Institute of Taxation (ACTI); Fellow, Institute of Strategic Human Capital Managers (FSHCM), Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM) and Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (ASNIM).
Princess Kafilat Omolade Hassan:
Princess Hassan is the Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ikorodu Division and Society She holds Masters Degree in Managerial Psychology, University of Ibadan, 2002; Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy, YABATECH, 1996 and Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Lagos State Polytechnic.
She is also member of many professional Institutes and has served in many capacities.
