By Banji Ayoola
The President of the World Council of Owo Association, Inc, USA, (WOCOA), Mr Ogunmolawa Samuel Adebayo, on Sunday, 25 September 2022, congratulated two prominent sons of Owo land, Chief Akin Aruwajoye and Chief Rotimi Ibidapo for being considered deserving of the National Award, Officer of the Order of Niger (OON).
Aruwajoye has served in various capacities, and had an enriching experience spanning over a period of 46 years in the Nigeria oil and gas industry, 35 of which he spent with the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) (an ENI subsidiary).
At NAOC, he held several senior supervisory and executive positions in Budget And Planing, Environment and Quality Control, Terminal Operation, Gas Plant, Maintenance, Public and Community Affairs among others.
He retired from NAOC as the Deputy Managing Director of the Company in 2009.High
Aruwajoye is the Ogbeni Oja of Owo Kingdom.
In the same vein, the second awardee, Prince Rotimi Ibidapo (OON) is the MD/CEO, Derotech Offshore Nigeria Limited and the 2014 recipient of Ondo State Man of the Year Award. He is a World Class Philanthropist.
He was appointed Chairman of Pacific Drillings in 2014. He is also the Aare Atunluse of Owo Kingdom.
Ogunmolawa, in a statement tagged “Thank you for making us proud,” applauded the awardees for being good representatives at all levels, and for making Owo indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora proud.
He said: “We celebrate you, we are proud of you, our Ambassadors, our National awardees of the Year 2022 (OON) Officer of the Order of Niger. Thank you for making us proud.”
