By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The national honours conferred on figures from Ondo State by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday October 11, 2022 have been described as a giant stride by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This commendation was coming from the Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole Osalade II, while congratulating five beneficiaries from the state, who he described as “Ondo State icons” and who were Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who was conferred with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Others were the Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, and two business tycoons and illustrious sons of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo and Chief Akin Aruwajoye, who were conferred with national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), respectively.
In a statement made available to The DEFENDER by his Special Assistant Media and Administration, Ayomide Michael, the Isolo monarch particularly talked about the honour conferred on Governor Akeredolu, saying it did not come as a surprise “because it is well and “handsomely” deserved.”
In the statement personally signed by him, Osolo Adewole said, “It is without dispute that honour is only conferred in recognition of great feats in human endeavors. The only Arakunrin identified with the entire people of Ondo State in all areas, His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, your conferment with national honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) did not come as a surprise because it is well and “handsomely” deserved.
“On behalf of Osolo in Council, the entire Isolo people (home and diaspora) and my humble self His Royal Highness Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, Osolo of Isolo, Akure South local government heartily congratulate your Excellency for this well-merited national honour.
“In the same vein, I felicitate the “iku baba-yeyes” His Imperial Majesty Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Odundun II, the Deji of Akure Kingdom and His Royal Majesty Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, the Olowa of Igbara Oke for the conferment of Commander of Federal Republic (CFR) and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) awards respectively.
“Still on the premise I congratulate the two business tycoons and illustrious sons of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo and Chief Akin Aruwajoye for their both awarded the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
“I join other well meaningful Ondo State citizens across the globe and residents to express our absolute gratitude to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for greatly considered meaningful numbers of our state – Ondo State Icons to bestow on them these well-deserved national honours in recognition of their state and national impacts,” he said.
The Osolo thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the honours saying, “We say thank you Mr President for these honours.”
