Ondo State golden jubilee celebration climaxed on Tuesday night with a colourful Gala and Awards Night, at which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and elder statesman and Afenifere leader Chief Reuben Fasoranti were honoured.
Also honoured were Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and 67 other distinguished sons, daughters and friends of the Sunshine State.
Held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), in Akure, the event brought together past and present leaders, traditional rulers, jurists, professionals, military officers and cultural icons whose contributions have shaped the state and the nation over the past five decades.
In his speech at the event, Aiyedatiwa described the awards night as a fitting climax to the Golden Jubilee celebrations, devoted to legacy, excellence and the recognition of service.
He said the daytime activities at the Ondo State Sports Complex reflected the collective spirit of the people, while the gala night was dedicated to honouring individuals whose lives and achievements had brought distinction to Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to national development.
According to the governor, celebrating 50 years of statehood demands maturity in engaging history.
He stressed that societies grow when excellence is celebrated and institutions endure when character and service are honoured.
His words, “These awards are not ceremonial tokens.
“They are expressions of our collective gratitude. True excellence is defined by discipline, purpose and sustained contribution.”
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to former Governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko; 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; jurists Hon. Justices Olusegun Odusola and Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju; Major General Olu Bajowa (rtd); Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo; traditional ruler Oba Olu Falae; and music legend King Sunny Ade.
Other honourees included Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Engr. Bernard Aliu, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, Chief Michael Ade Ojo (Elizade), Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Chief Joseph Sanusi, Chief Pius Akinyelure, AVM Kola Ademuwagun, Oba Samuel Egunjobi (the Alafo of Afo), and Madam Winifred Awosika, among others.
Posthumous awards were conferred on notable figures who played key roles in the state’s history and national development.
They included General Murtala Mohammed; former governors Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Dr Olusegun Agagu and Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; renowned jurists Akinola Aguda and Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi; Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN; Pastor T. B. Joshua; and several senior military officers.
Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the Golden Jubilee was not about romanticising the past, but about drawing strength from history to confront future challenges, including institution building, economic diversification, social cohesion and youth empowerment.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, highlighted Ondo State’s remarkable transformation over the years, noting that many communities had experienced profound social and infrastructural change.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adewusi, commended the governor and his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, describing the First Lady as a source of pride to Ondo State.
