The ancient town of Ikaram Akoko in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state was at the weekend agog with the second edition of the Ikaram image award.
The event, organised by the Ikaram Progressive Union, IPU, under the leadership of Chief Odomode Adeyemi Lacrown witnessed the presentation of awards to forty-one industrious sons and daughters of the community who have excelled in their chosen careers and are giving back to the town.
The IMAGE AWARD with the theme, RESPECT, HONOUR AND GRATITUDE commenced on Saturday with a special recognition to a prominent son of the town and former Minister of defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, who bagged HEROIC AWARD for his contributions to the development of lkaram over the years.
In appreciation of the honour done him, Prince Kayode promised to fulfil his age long dream of establish a school of nursing in ikaram Akoko stating that work would commence on the project by December this year.
The grand finale of the image award was held on sunday with forty indigenes being recognised with various categories of awards which included, IPU CORNERSTONE, OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD, PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, EXCELLENCE AWARD ACCOMPLISHMENT, BEACON OF HOPE AWARD and others were received posthumously.
Some receipients and representatives of others who were beautifully dressed stormed the Ikaram town hall for the ceremony which was in appreciation of their outstanding contributions to the community.
The recipients and their categories of awards are as follow:
THE LEGENDARY/HEROIC RECEPTION:
1. Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN:
IPU CORNERSTONE AWARD(formerly Agba Akin)
1. Late Zacheus Adeola Ogunmola
2. Late Oladipupo, snr (Baba Ikaram)
3. Late Engr. Oluwole, [Former Chairman, IPU Ibadan]
4. Late Chief Christopher Aliyu Giwa, JP
5. Late Alhaji Sule Giwa
6. Late Pa Oyebola Samuel Ajayi (Baba Ewe)
7. Late Engineer John Ayodele Ayilaran
8. Prince Chaplain Francis Babatunde Ikolo Gold
9. Mr Isiaka S. Salami
10. Evangelist John Ajayi Salami
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
○ Chief (Dr.) Erelu Pauline Bamidele Aribisala: Chairperson, IPU Lagos State
○ Mr. Lateef Olowolagba: Chairman, IPU Akure
○ Pastor Taiwo Otun: Chairman, IPU Ikare branch
○ Mr. Oyewole Sanni: IPU Europe Chapter
PRESTIGIOUS AWARD:
● Rtd Gp Capt Joshua Obademi
● Mrs. Maryam Sobowale neé Giwa
● Late Samuel Kolawole Sanni (LOWELL)
● Mr. Ayo Eniola
● Sir (Dr.) Charles Adetokunbo Akanbi
● Chief Ebenezer Sanni-Osomo
● Mr. Smart Akande, Esq.
● Dr. (Mrs.) Funmilola Williams-Daudu
● Pastor (Engr.) Olaniyi Oluwole:
● Mr. David Oladimeji (ODK)
● Engr. Biodun Balogun
● Dr. Adetokunbo Ajayi-Segun:
● Alhaja Taiwo Ibrahim, née Mojisola:
● Mr. Oladapo Jimoh Afolabi, PS
EXCELLENCE AWARD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
■ Prince Tony Kayode (Sir Kay)
■ Engr. Ebenezer Taiwo Otun
■ Mr. Olu Agunloye
■ Mrs. Biola Bawa, nee Ade-Festus
■ Comrade Reverend MM Braimoh, JP
■ Chief (Mrs.) Eunice Elegbeleye
■ Dr. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Veronica Ayetoro-Ologun, FCA.
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE AWARD:
Mr. Francis Adejare Ajatta
HUMANITARIAN AWARD OF THE YEAR:
Olurotimi Williams Daudu, Esq.
BEACON OF HOPE AWARD
● Hon Bunmi Tunji-Ojo [BTO]
● Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, OON
● Bishop (Dr) Deborah Oluwakemi Ahamba, JP
Speaking after receiving the award, two of them, Dr Olubunmi Ayetoro-Ologun and a former Labour leader in Ondo state, Comrade Momodu Braimoh thanked IPU for the honour, saying it was a challenged to do more for the community that raised them.
Explaining the rationale behind the image award, the president of Ikaram Progressive union, IPU worldwide, Chief Adeyemi Odomode-Lacrown said it was a way of expressing gratitude to those who are developing the community with their personal efforts while also encouraging others to emulate them.
Chief Odomode noted that those being recognised had touched the lives of many in the community in the areas of health, education, economy among others.
Also speaking, the National Financial secretary of IPU, Princess Adelanke Oladele and retired school teacher, Mr Olusola Ayetoro while congratulating the award recipients charged other indigenes of ikaram Akoko to come home and contribute hugely to the growth of the community.
The 2nd edition of the Ikaram image award also featured the launch of a fifty million naira endowment fund for the ancient town.
Highpoint of the ceremony were beautiful renditions of indigenous songs by some women who adorned beautiful aso-ebi for the occasion.