ONDO AT 50: GOVT BESTOWS STATE AWARDS ON FOUNDING FATHERS, EX-GOVERNORS, OTHERS
- Fasoranti, Arogbofa, Mimiko, Ogunwumiju, Kupolokun, others honoured with Diamond, Gold awards
By The NewsPostage
In a night of elegance and reflection, Ondo State on Tuesday celebrated its Golden Jubilee by honouring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, elder statesman Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and 67 other distinguished sons, daughters, and friends of the state.
The Gala and Award Night, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), marked the culmination of a day of festivities commemorating 50 years of the Sunshine State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the evening as a fitting crescendo dedicated to legacy, excellence and the recognition of service, reflecting the collective effort, shared sacrifice and enduring aspirations of the state over five decades.
“The daytime celebrations at the Ondo State Sports Complex captured the mass spirit of our people and rekindled our resolve for a more prosperous state,” the governor said.
“Tonight is devoted to honour, legacy and recognition of those whose lives have brought distinction to Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to national development.”
He stressed that 50 years of statehood required maturity in engaging history, noting that societies advance only when excellence is celebrated and institutions endure when character is honoured.
The Governor emphasised that the awards were not ceremonial tokens but expressions of collective gratitude, highlighting that true excellence is discipline, purpose and sustained contribution, not merely privilege.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were alos presented to former governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami; former deputy governors Omolade Oluwateru, Ali Olanusi, Lasisi Oluboyo, and Alfred Agboola Ajayi; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Hon. Justices Olusegun Odusola and Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju; Major General Olu Bajowa (rtd), and Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo; traditional ruler Oba Olu Falae; and music legend King Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as Sunny Ade.
Other honourees included Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Engr. Bernard Aliu, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, Hon. Chief Mrs Mobalaji Osomo, High Chief Johnson Fagbemi, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyemi, Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade Ojo (Elizade), Engineer Emmanuel Adewunmi of Denki Wires, Prof. Anthony Olusegun Adegulugbe, Pa Oyekan Arije, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Chief Sunday Ehindero, Chief Joseph Sanusi, Chief Solomon Oladunni, Chief Pius Akinyelure, AVM Kola Ademuwagun, Oba Samuel Egunjobi, the Alafo of Afo, and Madam Winifred Adefolahan Awosika.
Posthumous awards honoured figures who shaped the state and nation, including General Murtala Mohammed; former governors Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Dr Olusegun Agagu, and Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; prominent jurists Hon. Justices Akinola Aguda and Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi; activists and professionals such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Barrister Deji Adegoroye, Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun, Chief Olu Adeyemi, and Chief Gilbert Akinyede; religious leader Pastor T. B. Joshua and Chief Afolabi Iyantan; and senior military officers including Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, Brigadier-General Esijolomi Tuoyo, Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko, Captain Okhai Mike Akhigbe, Colonel Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye, Navy Captain Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, Lt Colonel Lucky Mike Torey, Colonel Ahmed A. Usman, Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyeagubulem, and Colonel Moses O. Fasanya.
Governor Aiyedatiwa reiterated that the anniversary was not about romanticising the past but drawing strength from history to meet future challenges, including building stronger institutions, diversifying the economy, deepening social cohesion and expanding opportunities for youths.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, reflected on Ondo State’s remarkable transformation, noting that many who grew up in local communities would barely recognise familiar landmarks.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adewusi, who shared the occasion, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, describing the First Lady as a source of pride to Osun State.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, said the Jubilee offered a platform to chart Ondo State’s future, particularly the role of youths.
He disclosed that an essay competition for youths aged 20 to 25 attracted 118 entries in five days, with ten adjudged outstanding and three selected for prizes.
Ajulo added that the initiative was conceived as a time capsule projecting the state’s trajectory over the next 20 years.
“A formal charter prepared by the Ministry of Justice will be signed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State and the Secretary to the State Government, with other officials as witnesses, before being sealed as a binding covenant across generations,” he stated.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
February 4, 2026.
