Nine prominent indigenes of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State were recently celebrated by their people in a colourful and well-attended reception held at the Palace of the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba Stephen Adegboyega Alabi, Arubiojo II.
The recipients included three brightest youngsters that graduated with First Class Honours from their respective higher institutions. Six other indigenes who had also excelled in their different callings were also honoured by the royal father.
In his speech, Oba Alabi described youths as the bastion and future of their community, noting that the First Class graduates were recognised to inspire the younger generation to aspire unto higher heights.
“Let me challenge the youths to emulate their counterparts being honoured today. You too can be here tomorrow, if you face your studies. I am looking forward to a time when our youths will be at the commanding heights in several sectors in the nation and beyond,” he said.
The monarch charged his subjects to contribute to the development of Osi-Ekiti land, while he reminded the gathering that development is everybody’s business as government alone cannot do everything.
“Osi-Ekiti Kingdom is a town with a proud and resilient history and has contributed to our State’s development, especially in areas of administration and education as we can see in our honourees of today.
“This is the first time such is happening in the town, we are therefore not celebrating the individuals alone, but also the town for producing this number of distinguished sons and daughters,” he said.
Oba Alabi berated the level of truancy and absenteeism among secondary school students in the community, observing that since huge investments have been made by government and well-meaning individuals to upgrade standard of education across the country, it will be a disservice for the students and pupils concerned to stay away from school.
The global President, Osi Progressive Union (OPU), ACM Oludare Fadogba commended the exalted Chiefs for their unalloyed contributions to make Osi-Ekiti peaceful and also acknowledged their invaluable support for the king and the community which is a great historical kingdom, blessed in both natural and human resources, primely located as a salt to the world.
He said, “Let us continue to embrace selfless love, tolerance, perseverance, personal sacrifices and resilience that would assist us all to contribute immensely to the growth and development of our community’s quest for greatness.”
Fadogba urged every son and daughter to see the town as one yearning for accelerated growth and development and congratulated the honourees on their respective feat, urging that the awards should further spur them to achieve more.
The First Class graduates are: Feranmi Ekundayo, Nigerian Law School, Morenikeji Alowooye, Adeleke University, Ede and Emmanuel Fakuade, Federal University of Technology, Akure. The other honourees are: Mr. Gbenga Olowoyo, the General Secretary, Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Peter Ejimokun, a pharmacist and Olufemi Adediran, a fellow of the Charter Institute of Administration. Both were newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the Public Service of Ekiti state.
Others are Ayodele Ajayi and Iyabo Simon-Oke, both newly appointed Professor at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) respectively and Mrs. Adebola Badejo, Registrar, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo attended Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti (now EKSU) and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Art (Education) and obtained his Master’s Degree in Labour and industrial Relations in the same university. He attended the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja, where he bagged the Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA) and Fellow Institute of Management and Professional Administration (FIMPA)
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Mr. Peter Bunmi Ejimokun is a pharmacist who studied at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife after obtaining a Degree in Zoology from the prestigious University of Ibadan.
He also obtained a Diploma at the Computer Institute of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State from May to December 1999 and in 2011, he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Right after that, he went further to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) in the same university in 2013 and he is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in Pharmacy in the De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom. Pharm. Ejimokun has worked in various organisations and is a member of many professional bodies.
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Mr. Olufemi Babaseinde Adediran earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language from Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, a Postgraduate Diploma from Akungba-Akoko and became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Financial Management.
In 2016, he received a Commendation Letter from the State Executive Council for exemplary service. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration.
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Professor Ayodele Oluwaseun Ajayi holds degrees in Microbiology from the University of Ado-Ekiti and completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil. He attained the rank of Professor of Microbiology, following years of meritorious service at Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Landmark University (adjunct), and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (sabbatical). His academic trajectory and university experience followed a brief stay in the banking sector. His leadership has strengthened academic standards, research governance, and institutional growth.
A Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award of Excellence (2024), Professor Ajayi stands as a model of scholarly integrity, service, and impact.
He is also an emerging techpreneur with interest in cloud technologies to improve development and drive digital inclusiveness.
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Prof. (Mrs.) Iyabo Simon-Oke graduated from the Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti with B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology in 1997, while she obtained her Master of Science in Parasitology from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and bagged her PhD from the University of Ado-Ekiti.
Prof. (Mrs.) Simon-Oke was employed as a Lecturer II in the Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria in 2011 and rose through the ranks to the become a Professor of Parasitology and Public Health on the 1st of October, 2023. Her area of special interest is Malaria. Prof. Simon-Oke has published over 75 scientific papers in reputable journals across the globe. She is a reviewer for academic and professional journals.
She is a member of the Ondo State Research Team on the Effect of Insecurity on the Epidemiology of Diseases. Prof. (Mrs.) Simon-Oke likes reading, travelling and helping Humanity.
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Mrs. Henrietta Adebola Gbemisola Badejo is a seasoned administrator with over twenty-two (22) years of distinguished service in higher education administration, particularly at the -prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Her career is aptly captured in her guiding philosophy: “To fulfil, safeguard and ensure the accuracy and integrity of records, assure compliance with academic policies, maintain effective and efficient systems, and provide excellent administrative service to students, staff, and the wider community.”
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The community was proud to celebrate Barrister Oluwaferanmi Stephen Ekundayo ESQ, a distinguished son of Osi-Ekiti, whose academic excellence, professional achievements, and service to society embody the values of diligence, integrity, and excellence.
Beyond the courtroom and boardroom, he is a committed volunteer and leader. He served as Head of the Organising Committee for the Olumide Babalola Data Protection Essay Competition, coordinated major student initiatives at OAU, and has consistently used his voice and skills to promote innovation, ethics, and good governance.
Barr. Oluwaferanmi Stephen Ekundayo stands today as a worthy ambassador of Osi-Ekiti, a shining example of what dedication, faith, and excellence can achieve. His story is an inspiration to the youths of our community and a testament to the greatness that comes from humble beginnings.
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Twenty-one year-old Miss Morenikeji Hephzibah Alowooye attended Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State where she studied History and International Studies. Her final year long essay was on the History of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Osi-Ekiti and she was able to dig deep into Osi’s history in the essay. She graduated from the university with a First Class Bachelor of Arts degree.
Morenikeji is very interested in politics and history. As an indigene of Osi-Ekiti, she has definitely made the community proud at a very young age.
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Emmanuel Olalekan Fakuade began his formal education at Excel Kiddies Nursery and Primary School, Akure, where he graduated in 2008. He proceeded to St. Thomas Aquinas College, Akure, and completed his secondary education in 2014, laying a solid foundation for academic excellence and discipline.
Emmanuel later gained admission into the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he studied Human Anatomy and graduated in 2023 with First Class Honours.
Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Human Anatomy at the same institution, driven by a passion for research, teaching, and service. His academic interests include neuroanatomy, disease mechanisms, and public health-oriented biomedical research.
The Osi-Ekiti celebrated academic excellence, discipline, leadership, and integrity, to honour Emmanuel Olalekan Fakuade, a worthy son of Osi-Ekiti, a pride to his family, and a shining example to the younger generation.
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Mrs. Henrietta Adebola Gbemisola Badejo, who spoke on behalf of the honourees, appreciated the community for counting them worthy of recognition and promised to be patriotic and think of the community in their daily engagement. They assured that they would not let the community down in whatever areas and aspect they may find themselves.
Dignitaries across the country who witnessed the ceremony included the Odofin of Osi Ekiti, other High Chiefs from the community, high profile sons and daughters from the community, the Chairman, NLC Osun State Council, Comrade (Chief) Dr. Christopher Arapasopo, NCSU State Chairmen from Ekiti and Osun State Councils, Comrade Ayodeji Aribisala and Oluwaseyi Oyinlola, State Secretaries, Ekiti and Osun State Councils as well as the State Auditor, Osun State Council, Comrade Agboola.
The reception was organised by the Olosi-in-Council and Osi-Ekiti Progressive Union.
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