It was a galore of encomiums as Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Abiola Iyiola, was conferred with the coveted award of Omoluabi Ibadan by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.
The Award Ceremony took place at Ibadan House, Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Sunday, 12th February, 2023, and the event had in attendance the creme de la crème of CCII. The award event was part of the activities marking the forthcoming 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week.
While explaining the essence of the Omoluabi Ibadan Award, Engineer Sunday Gbenjo, Chairman, Planning Committee of 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, expressed that the Award was instituted to recognise and celebrate notable Ibadan sons and daughters who have proven records of excellent characters and exemplary moral values. He stated that it was not an accident that Oloye Abiola Iyiola was counted worthier of the Award as he has been seen to be of good moral standards and a great ambassador of Ibadan land not only in Nigeria but also in the Diaspora.
The Master of Ceremony of the event, Chief Adeola Oloko, who is the Secretary of the 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, said there was no monetary motive behind the Omoluabi Ibadan Award and what was considered were Oloye Abiola Iyiola’s wonderful antecedents, past successes and his passion for developmental contributions to Ibadan in particular and the society in general.
In his address, the President-General of CCII, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga lauded Jagun Olubadan for upholding the Omoluabi values and ethos that Ibadan is famous for.
The event began with opening prayer rendered by Alhaja Simiat Adeleke Larodo and introduction of guests followed by recitation of Ibadan Anthem. The highlights of the award event included the presentation of Award Certificate, Gangan Drum and Stick which are symbols of goodness and merriment to Oloye Abiola Iyiola by the President-General of CCII.
Jagun Olubadan, looking resplendent in his shades of Blue flowing Agbada, native top and trousers made from exquisite wool materials, his neck bedecked with Blue royal beads, took time to individually appreciate the organisers of the Award event and other guests who graced the event despite their busy schedules. Oloye Iyiola emphasized that the Omoluabi Ibadan Award he graciously received threw more challenges to him to keep being a model ambassador to Ibadan and especially to the youths.
The event was attended by all the executive members of the CCII led by the President-General, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, and the 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week Planning Committee led by Engineer Sunday Gbenjo. Others in attendance included Alhaji Abiola Alli, President, Omo Ajorosun Club; Honorable Demola Alalade; Alhaji Olaide Adewuyi, Pastor Olugbenga Adesokan, the former President of IDU, USA; Alhaja Simiat Adeleke Larodo, first vice chairman of 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week; Bar Oludare Adewale, Financial Secretary, CCII; Chief Gbadegesin Adelabu, Treasurer, CCII; Mogaji Kunle Sodeinde and Mr Adekunle Adebisi, Auditor, CCII.
Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Abiola Iyiola is currently the National President of Ibadan Descendants’ Union, USA
