Wale Jagun
The former Minister of Works and Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), Sen. Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, has described the induction of distinguished personalities into the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame, as a day of celebration of heroes of the division.
Another set of personalities who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours, were inducted on Thursday, by the IDRDG, at a well – attended event which was held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu.
His Royal Majesties, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi and the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, FCA, led the 15 newest inductees that belong to the 2023 Class of the Hall of Fame.
Other inductees are: Bashorun Babatunde T. Rotinwa, former Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and past IDRDG Chairman, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria and the Odofin of Ikorodu, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, an insurance guru and former IDRDG Chairman, Prof. Michael O. Ajetunmobi, Vice Chairman, IDRDG, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, former Head of Service, Lagos State, and Dr. Oladega Adebogun, founder, CALEB University and Group of Schools
Others are: Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, Member, House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Defense, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, a businessman and Chief (Mrs.) Wonuola Folami, OON (nee Gbadamosi), former Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney – General, Lagos State.
Miss Azeezat Lamina Oshoala, MON, the Super Falcon and Barcelona FC striker and Mr. Adeseye Akinola Ogunlewe (Jnr), a Nigerian athlete, completed the list.
After their induction which held at the Ikorodu Town Hall under the Chairmanship of Prince Tajudeen Odofin , the new inductees were allowed to hung their photo frames along with profiles on designated section of the Hall of Fame gallery.
“I sincerely welcome you to this august occasion. A day of celebration of our Heroes. Those who have distinguished themselves in their professions, either in public service, political positions, professional or had distinguished career like our royal fathers, are the ones we are celebrating tosay”, Sen. Ogunlewe said.
“These royal fathers have brought tremendous development to their domains and brought feasible, progressive and noticeable development to their communities.
“We have individuals who are business men and women that have invested good funds into the development of human resources by granting scholarships to many students. They have invested in building schools, roads, hospitals, ICT laboratories, to enhance a good future for children in the Ikorodu Division.
“We have our mothers who were pioneers in various types of businesses in Nigeria.
“We also have those who have distinguished themselves in the areas of sports while representing Nigeria at international competitions like Olympics or world cup. For the information of our dear audience, the history of Lagos Island cannot be completed without reference to the participation and contribution of Ikorodu indigenes in its commerce”, he said.
Ogunlewe, who will be completing his two – year tenure as the IDRDG Chairman this December, stated that the purpose of the Hall of Fame is to for the younger generations, students and members of the public in general, to have access to information about the inductees and by extension, the history of Ikorodu.
“We will also be unveiling the compendium of all the inductees since the inception of the Hall of Fame in Ikorodu Town Hall. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to have a brief history of indigenes of Ikorodu Division placed in a section of the Town Hall, for our students to obtain information about the achievements of the Heroes of our Division”, he said.
“We invited students from selected secondary schools to witness the past achievements of our forefathers and mothers and some who are still alive”.
The Distinguished Senator representing the Lagos East, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru who was one of the new inductees and whose frame and brief profile will be hung on the wall alongside that of his his late father, Sen. (Honourable Justice) Mubasheer Abiru and others, expressed delight at his induction.
“I am delighted to share the exciting news that I have been inducted into the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame, alongside other illustrious personalities who have made significant contributions to our community”, he said.
“This prestigious honour was conferred upon me by the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), in recognition of my contributions to the development of Ikorodu division and Lagos East Senatorial District.
“I take great pride in continuing the legacy of my father, Honourable Justice Mubasheer Akanbi Olatunji Abiru who was also inducted into the Ikorodu Hall of Fame in 1993. His commitment to public service has inspired my own determination to make a difference in our community”, he said.
Hundreds of guests that also attended the ceremony also took out time to tour the Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame.
Some of the eminent personalities that graced the occasion were: Prof. Sikiru Sanni, Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Olabode Ogunleye, Sir Kayode Shoderu, Chief Tele Oduloye, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Sir (Otunba) Oluwole Odulate, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, Dr (Otunba) Saheed Ibikunle, Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, Barr. Moyosore Ogunlewe, Chairman, Kosofe LG, Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi and Comrade Kehinde Okeowo among others.
