The Arowotawaya II, Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa Kingdom in Osun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, has been conferred with the Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Information Management (FIIM) in a remarkable ceremony held in London, United Kingdom.
This was as the Institute of Information Management (IMM) UK, also recognised the monarch as the royal father of the day at the successful conclusion of the 7th IIM United Kingdom Annual Conference, the 58th Induction & Investiture Ceremony, and the International University of Information Management (IUIM) Honorary Programme, which took place on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
The dual recognition was in honour of Oba Ajayi’s distinguished contribution to leadership roles, community development and national progress in Nigeria and the society, including contributions in the information space.
His induction as the Fellow, Institute of Information Management FIIM has continued to expand his global presence in vital issues as it affects the society.
Another key component of the programme was the IUIM Honorary Doctorate Conferment on distinguished individuals for their exceptional achievements in data governance, digital transformation, and exemplary leadership.
Honorees included Sir Godwin I. Achi, Steve Maingot, Abdulla Al Mamun, High Chief Richmond Hope MacGrey, Her Highness Queen Grace Eganda, and His Highness Paul Eganda.
Additionally, the event celebrated the conferment of Honorary Fellowships on respected figures that include Hon. Abimbola Oluwasona, General Secretary of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation UK South (NIDO UKS), Thierry A. Bayle, Founder of Global Fashion Management and the London Fashion Business Academy, Sir Godwin I. Achi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Oscorp Capital Advisors Limited, and Martin Weightman, Executive Manager at the Academy of Nutritional Medicine (AONM), United Kingdom.
The Institute also presented a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the Institute of Information Management and his outstanding commitment to the advancement of the data and information management ecosystem.
According to the organisers, this year’s event, held under the timely theme; “Adapting to Post-Brexit Data Protection and Compliance Challenges in the UK,” attracted a distinguished audience of data protection experts, compliance professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, and honorees. It served as a high-level platform for meaningful dialogue and practical insights on navigating the evolving data protection landscape in the United Kingdom following Brexit.
Ambassador (Dr) Oyedokun A. Oyewole, the International President/Chairman of IIM Africa and the President/Founder of the International University of Information Management (IUIM), delivered the keynote address and emphasized the need for organizations and professionals to embrace forward-thinking compliance strategies, strong data governance frameworks, and ethical stewardship in the face of global regulatory shifts.
He underscored that the conference marks a pivotal moment in the industry’s collective response to post-Brexit challenges, stressing that adaptation is no longer sufficient we must lead with insight, courage, and a strong commitment to global best practices in data and information governance/compliance.
The event featured impactful presentations and discussions on topics such as data sovereignty in the UK, divergence from the GDPR, managing cross-border compliance, and fostering digital trust.
The formal induction and investiture ceremony welcomed new professionals into IIM’s growing international network of certified/accredited members and fellows, reinforcing the Institute’s mission to build a global community of data and information management leaders.
The highly elated monarch was accompanied to the investiture event by some of his family members and friends that included his beautiful wife, Olori Aderonke Odunayo Ajayi who ensured that guests were refreshed and entertained after the event.
Others are his blossom friends, Lanre Semilore and Niyi Olaodebikan, the president and notable members of the Unilorin Alumni Association in UK and Europe led by Prince Bola Adelaja, the president of the chapter, as well as numerous others.
Oba Ajayi, who is the National Deputy President, Yoruba Obas Forum has been in the forefront of leadership roles in traditional and cultural matters including a big voice in nation building as it concerns grassroots and traditional rulers.
Arowotawaya II, is also a Fellow, Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution of Nigeria (FiADRN) and Fellow, Institute of Conflict Management of Nigeria (FiCMN).
Elerinmo also serves in other Boards as reputable member. He is patron to many youth organisations and has contributed much in developing his once sleepy domain to a tourist delight.
The cerebral monarch whose strong social media visibility in societal issues and wealth of knowledge in traditional and religious matters has, in many occasions and publications canvassed that traditional rulers in Nigeria should be given roles in government as the third tier of the government, and be allowed to handle security matters from the grassroot.
In one of his comments, he asserted that traditional rulers know their community more than government and should be an effective watchdog over community security matters, adding that with information technology, kings can effectively control and protect their domain from intruders.
Oba Arowotawaya II has actively participated in the annual conference of the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLAR) headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethopia with conferences held in many African countries where his views play prominence.
In many occasion, he has championed and delivered lectures on cultural matters, such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch A Stream 1 Orientation Course, where he delivered a lecture, educating the young adults about the rich culture and traditions of the State among other things.
The Institute has in the past, conferred some notable dignitaries, the IMM Honorary Fellows. They include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President; H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, former Ghanaian president; Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Senator Ibikunle Amosun among others.
Some royal fathers who have also been conferred with the Honorary fellow in the past include His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; Oba M.A.A Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland; Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, Oba of Lagos and Oba Saheed Ademola Elegusi of Ikate, Lagos.
The Institute of Information Management (IIM) is an international professional membership driven institute registered in America, Europe and Africa, developed to serve the growing community of Data, Information, Records, Document, Knowledge and Archives Management professionals who are tasked with managing the dynamic information life cycle within the enterprise.
The Institute now has presence in several countries like Nigeria, Ghana, United states of America, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, United Kingdom and Canada including other countries.
Meanwhile, participants expressed deep appreciation for the insights shared and left empowered to implement transformative data strategies within their organizations.
The conference also fostered high-level networking, creating valuable opportunities for strategic collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders, regulators, and academia.
THE NATION
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