JKNMedia
A GRAND reception and award ceremony has been announced by the Idanre Development Assembly (IDA), to recognize prominent sons and daughters of the community in Ondo State, for their significant contributions to the development of the ancient kingdom.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, in Idanre.
Among the honorees are Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd; the late Chief Gabriel Akin Deko, former Minister of Agriculture and LISA of Idanre Kingdom; the late Prince Afolabi Ayinuola, former Executive Director of Wema Bank; retired Supreme Court Justice Samuel Akinola Akintan; and Chief Mrs. Omolara Iwayemi Ogomudia, wife of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia.
The awards will be presented by the Owa and Paramount Ruler of Idanre Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye, JP CFR, with the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, attending as a special guest.
This information was disclosed by the President-General of IDA, Dr. Anthony A. Omolola, in a statement released to the press in Lagos on Friday.
Chief Pius Akinyelure is lauded for his distinguished career in the Oil and Gas sector, his roles as an administrator, businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, and politician. He retired from Exxon Mobil on June 1, 1997, after a stellar 35-year career, including a period as a consultant. He has held board-level positions at several companies and financial institutions, such as NNPCL, Wema Bank Plc, Credite Bank Ltd, Odu’a Investment Limited, Oluwa Glass PLC, Okitipupa Oil Palm PLC, Odu’a Telecommunications Limited, Cocoa Industries Nig. Ltd, Hallmark Bank, and West African Portland Cement Plc.
Justice Samuel Akinola Akintan, an alumnus of Holborn College of Law and Lincoln’s Inn London, began his career in the Federal Ministry of Justice on July 20, 1964, as a pupil counsel. He ascended to serve on the Supreme Court Bench from 2004 until his retirement in December 2008. Post-retirement, he served on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) for five years.
The late Chief Gabriel Akin Deko, a former regional Minister for Agriculture in the Western region of Nigeria (1957-1963), was recognized for his pioneering work in establishing an agriculture settlement scheme.
This scheme provided employment and initial capital to new graduates from agricultural training colleges, reflecting his close association with notable Nigerian leader Obafemi Awolowo.
The event will celebrate these individuals’ outstanding achievements and their lasting impact on the development of Idanre kingdom.
