Ijesa Hall of Fame: Omole, Dairo, Obaleye, Lufadeju, Awomoolo Honoured as Council Shortlists Merit Awardees

  

The Owa in Council has ratified the first set of inductees into the newly established Ijesa Hall of Fame, conferring the prestigious honour on a select group of eminent sons and daughters of Ijesaland whose contributions have left enduring legacies.

Those approved for induction into the Hall of Fame include the late Chief Lawrence Omole, founder of International Breweries Plc; the late Pa Folorunso Awomoolo, co-founder of International Breweries Plc, Ilesa, and founder of Imo Hill Farm Agricultural Business; Dame Yinka Obaleye, the Yeye Owa of Ijesaland and founder of Yinka Oba Foam and Allied Products Industries; Prince Biodun Lufadeju, composer of the Ijesa anthem; and the late I.K. Dairo, the celebrated classical musician.

In recognition of their immense contributions, five major roads in Ilesa are to be named after the honourees, including the Roundabout–Imo, Roundabout–Isokun, and Roundabout–Ayeso corridors.

Meanwhile, the Council also approved a second category of honours known as the Merit (Outstanding Stewardship) Award, with distinguished nominees drawn from diverse fields. Among them are Sir Sapara Williams, Nigeria’s first indigenous lawyer; Professor Bolanle Awe, facilitator and founder of the College of Education, Ilesa (now the University of Ilesa); Prince Olu Awogboro, founder of Ark Insurance Brokers Ltd; Oba Oladele Olasore, the late Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa and proprietor of Olashore International School.

Others shortlisted for the Merit Award include General Oluseyi Petinrin, who facilitated the establishment of the Federal Military School, Ipetu-Ijesa; Mr. Femi Agunbiade, founder of Mekaizer Farm, Iwoye-Ijesa; Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, founder of SARO Agro-Allied Company; Mr. Israel Adesanya, world champion kickboxer; General Tokunbo Fayemiwo, a large-scale farmer; and Erelu Olusola Obada, facilitator of the Military Base in Ibodi.

The nominations were submitted by a seven-member committee earlier constituted by the Owa in Council. The Council also approved the renaming of the popular Obokungbusi Town Hall to the Ijesa Hall of Fame.

The committee is chaired by Chief Akin Akinola, pioneering Managing Director of International Breweries Plc, with members including Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa; Oba Festus Awogboro, the Alademure of Ibokun; Oba Olusegun Ogunleye, the Tirimi of Iperindo; Barrister Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo; Hon. Diti Aluko; and Hon. Lanrewaju Balogun.

Explaining the vision behind the initiative, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, said the Hall of Fame was conceived to celebrate Ijesa indigenes whose investments and achievements have brought tangible benefits to the land, while inspiring younger generations to emulate their successes. He noted that the selection process was deliberately democratized to strengthen unity across Ijesaland.

The monarch cautioned that any honouree who brings disrepute to Ijesaland after induction would forfeit the honour. He added that although many deserving candidates emerged for the maiden edition, future editions would be limited to one inductee, and only candidates who meet strict criteria would be considered.

A motion to adopt the Hall of Fame and Merit Award nominees was moved by Chief Disu Oyedele and seconded by Risa Bode Owofade, while Chief Mrs. Hannah Ojo endorsed the motion on behalf of the womenfolk.

Dignitaries present at the meeting included High Chief Adeniyi Oguntoye, the Obaala of Ilesa; High Chief Saka Fapounda, the Ogboni of Ilesa; High Chief Makanjuola Afolabi, the Odole of Ilesa; High Chief Ojo Omonoyi, the Lejoka of Ilesa; High Chief Olalekan Folorunso, the Loro of Ilesa; Chief Oyewumi, the Risinkin of Isinkin; Looja Bode Owofade, the Olumelu of Imelu; Chief Mrs. Hannah Ojo, the Yeyerise of Ilesa; alongside members of the committee and palace officials.