The Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, at its 80th Regular Meeting on Friday, December 9, 2022, ratified the appointment of two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors for the Institution. 

They are Professor Adebisi Daramola (Administration) and Professor Olusegun Akinwumi (Academic).

The duo had emerged after their nominations alongside two other professors for election by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, during the 177th Regular Senate Meeting of the University on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 

Prof. Daramola obtained a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1977 at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; earned a Bachelor of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1981; got a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1984 and bagged a Ph.D.  in Counselling Psychology from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, now Ekiti State University in 1993. 

Prof. Daramola, who was among the staffers that relocated to AAUA from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, in 1999, joined the services of the University at Ado-Ekiti, in 1989 as a lecturer II.  He rose through the rank to become a Professor of Counselling Psychology in 2005.

He had, at different times, served the University in over 50 administrative and academic capacities, including Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education; Dean, Postgraduate School; Dean, Student Affairs; Chairman, AAUA/Akungba Community Relations Committee; and Director, University Linkages and International Programmes Office.

Prof. Daramola, the pioneer Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch, was an external examiner/assessor to nine local and foreign universities. While he has published three books, he has written chapters in many books; and has over 30 articles in both local and international journals. 

He has presented over 15 seminars/public lectures; and attended over  23 local and international conferences. 

Prof. Daramola belongs to many professional bodies, such as Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON);  Chairman, Nigerian Association of Educational Psychologists (NAEP); World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC), U.S.A; International Federation for Psychotherapy (IFP) Germany; Nigerian Association of Educational Research and Evaluation (NAERE); Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (AIPM); Luminaries of Professional Educators of Nigeria (LUPEN); and Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (NIIA).

He is a recipient of many honours and awards, including Best Postgraduate Student Award Ondo State University; Man of the Year 2004, American Biographical Institute, U.S.A; First  Ph.D  Graduate, Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti; Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) Asland University, Ohio, U.S.A.  2002; and Fellow, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (IIAN).

He hails from Ondo City in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is happily married with children and affable wife.

Similarly, Prof. Akinwumi obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Calabar in 1984; proceeded to the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he bagged a Masters degree in Zoology (Fisheries and Hydrobiology) and a Ph.D. in Fish Post-Harvest Technology in 1991 and 2006, respectively.

He joined the services of then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1998 as a lecturer II and moved to AAUA in 1999, rising through the rank to become a Professor in 2015.

He has served in over 50 academic and administrative positions in the University, including Head, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology; Chairman, Ceremonies Committee; Chairman, AAUA Committee on Public Lecture Series; pioneer Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch; and Chairman, Universitys Farm Management Committee. 

Prof. Akinwumi is the immediate Dean, Faculty of Science, and a member representing the University Congregation on the University Governing Council. 

Prof. Akinwumi has published seven books; edited three others, and has 27 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Prof. Akinwumi, who had undergone various leadership trainings globally, including at the famous Galilee International Management Institute, Israel (2015), and the Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Datong, China (2007), has 12 published conference abstracts and presentations.  

Prof. Akinwumi is a winner of many research grants, awards and prizes including the Federal Government Postgraduate (M.Sc.) Scholarship (1990), Ondo State Government Postgraduate (Ph.D.) Scholarship (2001), and the University Research grant in 2005 and 2011.

He has membership of several professional bodies among which are: Fisheries Society of Nigeria; Entomological Society of Nigeria; Zoological Society of Nigeria; and Science Association of Nigeria.

Prof. Akinwumi  who is happily married with children and amiable wife hails from Akure, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo  State.

The ancient city of Ondo was thrown into a carnival like mood on Tuesday as some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the city held a mega “Awalokan solidarity walk” to drum more support for the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party in the state.

The well attended solidarity walk was led by some APC leaders in Ondo City including the Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Political and Legislative Matters, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu and his counterpart in Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi.

Others at the rally are Abiola Makinde; Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju; Biola Oladapo; Oladiji Landmark and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Chief Olawale  Fasakin, among several other leaders and supporters.

The mega rally which was organized as part of the campaign for all APC candidates both at the federal and state levels in the forthcoming 2023 general elections was also attended by mammoth crowd of Ondo sons and daughters.

The rally kicked off at the popular Akure Motor Park in Ondo with party supporters and loyalists coming out in large numbers wearing the party’s T-shirts, caps and brandishing their brooms with enthusiasm while singing and dancing to the delight of everyone who expressed nothing but joy and hope for the emergence of the party at all levels come 2023.

The enthusiastic supporters sang and danced across the nook and cranny of the city as they presented their candidates to the good people of Ondo kingdom to be voted in come 2023 general elections.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye declared that the people of Ondo city have decided to throw their weight behind the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and all their candidates for the 2023 general elections in the state, saying that is the essence of the solidarity walk across the city.

The Special Adviser emphasised that Tinubu would bring the desired change and redefine governance in the country with his weath of experience as former Governor of Lagos State.

“We have come out en masse to show our support, belief and conviction in the credibility of all our candidates. From our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all our candidates in the state like our Senatorial candidate Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), our House of Representatives candidate, Honourable Abiola Makinde and our House of Assembly candidates. 

“We believe in their good antecedents, capacity and competence. We believe in the APC, we believe in what the APC has done in the last seven and a half years and we believe in what APC can do in the coming years. This is demonstrated by the mammoth crowd that came out today to show that we all believe in the APC in Ondo state. Look at the laudable achievements of Mr Governor in the state. We are all apostles of the APC in Ondo state and I know that  with what we have seen here today, the 2023 election is already won”, Adeyeye said.

On his part, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu said all the APC candidates including the Senatorial, the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly are credible and reliable. 

“They have been tested and we know that they are all credible. The state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is performing. If we look at the report that just came out from the federal government, Ondo state is the least poor state in the whole of Nigeria. That is something to celebrate. Akeredolu is working for us in Ondo state”, the Commissioner added.

Also, the House of Assembly candidate for Ondo West Constituency 1, Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju declared that Ondo East and West Local Government Areas are solidly behind the ambition of the APC and will deliver for the party at the 2023 polls.

“This is a statement from the people of Ondo that we have all come together as one to deliver for the APC. As we can all see, our leaders believe in the youths and that is why we have youths candidates like Ogunwumiju for Ondo West Constituency 1, and Abiola Oladapo for Constituency 2. It shows that the APC is  committed towards ensuring that young people are at the helms of affairs”, he stressed.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has praised the interventions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in boosting pedagogy among the academia as well as enhancing Infrastructural development in tertiary institutions in the country.

He noted that infrastructural decay would have taken a toll on most institutions of higher learning in the country if not for the interventions of the agency, adding that members of the academia would have struggled in terms of book and research publications if TETFund had not chosen to shoulder the financial responsibilities of such exercises.

The Vice Chancellor stated these on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, while receiving a team from TETFund that was in the University on an Academic-Manuscripts-to-Book visit aimed at ascertaining the genuineness of the manuscripts and authorship of three books written by Prof. Sola Owonibi of the Department of English Studies of the University.

Publication of the books was sponsored by TETFund, while copies were meant to be given out free-of-charge to libraries, schools and other repositories in the country.

The published works were English translations of popular Yoruba novels and plays. They are: Chief Gaa – a translation of Bayo Faleti’s Basorun Gaa; The Tight Game – a translation of Akinwumi Isola’s O Le Ku; and Delusion of Grandeur – a translation of Oladejo Okediji’s Aja Lo Leru.

Speaking for the TETFund, Mrs. Olufunke Okonofua (the team leader), said their assignment in the University was to ascertain the genuineness of the claim of the author in order to justify the funding of the project by the intervention agency. She urged other members of the academia to take advantage of opportunities available to them via TETFund interventions and sponsorships.

The Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Olubunmi Ademosu, has been inaugurated as the 8th President of Lions Club, 2022/2023 Lions Year.

At the colorful ceremony held at the International Centre for Culture and Events, (The Dome), Akure, which also coincided with her birthday, Lions Club International District 404A1, Nigeria, equally conferred an award of excellence on Governor Akeredolu for his Leadership and Civil Courage.

The event held on Tuesday October 18, 2022, also witnessed inauguration of Club Directors, presentation of Club Officers, fundraising and induction of new members.

Family members, friends and associates, technocrats, captains of industries, members of the Ondo State Executive Council, among several other dignitaries graced the colourful ceremony.

The guest speaker at the event was Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN. 

In his remarks,  Governor Akeredolu who was also the Chairman on the occasion, specially appreciated the Club for the honour done him with a promise to continue to do more to serve humanity.

While congratulating Mrs Ademosu on her investiture, Akeredolu lauded the Lions Club for its humanitarian services, urging the gathering to make selfless service to humanity a priority for a better society.

He lauded the Club for its positive impacts not only in the state but across the world.

Others who bagged different categories of awards included Rev (Mrs) Olufunke Felix-Adejumo; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Princess Adejoke Orelope Asefulire; Ln Bode Akinwumi; Ln Tokunbo Jegede; Engr. Adeleke Adedipe; Mr. Akinjisola Ige; Dr. Fidelis Ayebae  among several others.

In her speech,the new President, Mrs Ademosu said Akure Professionals Lions Club under her leadership is determined to use the Lions Years to offer services that would help the needy out of their undignified status.

According to her, the Club would pursue with vigour the belief which encourages the privileged few in the society to positively affect the less privileged majority in the society so that life can be made worth living for all.

“My coming up at this time as Club President of an affiliate of world largest service organisation, Lions Club International, is a rare privilege designed by God, propelled by my fellow Lions in Akure Professionals; solidly supported by family members; encouraged by my boss, the Governor of Ondo State and my colleagues in his Cabinet; the Award Recipients and all the distinguished guests present.

“The name of this organisation, LIONS, an acronym which stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety, crystalises the Four Pillars of the Lions Club which include: Humanitarian Needs, Disaster Management, Youth Development and Saving Sight. The commitment to these areas of human needs and development culminate into what makes one to be a LION”, she stressed.

Mrs Ademosu noted that Akure Professionals Lions Club under her watch would undertake various activities that would impact the lives of the poor and vulnerable children in the areas of literacy, hunger, and poverty in consonance with the theme of the International President, Lion Brian Sheehan and the goal of the District Governor in District 404A-1, Nigeria, Lion Anogwi Anyankwu .

The new President listed some of the  projects to be executed for 2022/2023 Lion Year to include upgrading and renovation of Ondo State Children’s Home, Oba -Ile, Akure; supply of monthly drugs to Correctional Home, Akure, Ondo; feeding the poor and vulnerable in her community; monthly supply to the Leprosy Home, Akure; supply of drugs to Primary HealthCare for the pregnant women and eyes screening test and restoration of vision (cataract).

Other are supply of exercise books to selected public schools in the community; seminars for selected public secondary school pupils on Good Citizenship, Sex Education, Child Rights and Drug Abuse; Diabetic Screening for market women and lecturing on Women Rights; Lectures on HIV/AIDS current thematic focus; Public Health Walk; Measles campaign; Tree planting in some designated places and reading competition among public secondary schools.

She equally solicited financial support from public spirited persons to raise the sum of N50, 865,750million to execute the numerous projects to complement the salutary efforts of the present administration across sectors in the state.

The Management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, has announced October 17, 2022, as resumption date for academic activities for the Second Semester of the 2020/2021 academic session, following the suspension of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The Registrar of the University, Mr. Olugbenga Arajulu, in a statement, said, “The University Senate has directed that the University be reopened for academic activities on 17th October, 2022. All students are, therefore, expected to resume for the Second semester 2020/2021 academic session on 17th October, 2022.”

The statement reads further, “Upon resumption, students who are yet to pay their school fees or had made part-payment are required to pay up their outstanding school fees and complete registration of courses for the Second semester 2020/2021 academic session instantly. Students who had paid fully should also register for their courses as lectures will commence immediately, and registration for courses will close by midnight Saturday, 19th November, 2022. 

The Registrar, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga lge, welcomed all the students back to campus and wished them success in their studies.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has promised a renewed effort to convince the government to bend over backwards to increase its funding of the University.

Dr. Abayomi made the promise in an exclusive interview with the Information Unit of the University after the Inaugural Meeting of the 7th Governing Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

Noting that the impact of inadequate funding on a university cannot be over-emphasised, the Pro-Chancellor said, “Not even double of what we get from the government is sufficient and we all know why. But as a Council, we will continue to impact on the government to improve on the funding, especially on the special needs of the University.”

Dr. Abayomi noted that the 7th Council would, among other things, focus on how to make the Business School function maximally; expand the University in terms of new programmes; improve academic rating for global relevance; and enhanced staff welfare.

The Pro-Chancellor said that his second coming as Pro-Chancellor would enable him to contribute more to the development of the University and the state at large.

He urged staff members to double their commitment and dedication to their duties, and to deepen cooperation with Management in order to engender a University everyone can be proud of.

In his words, “I call on everyone to put in more efforts to move the Institution forward. We should produce research papers that would be referenced globally and, thus, improve the global rating of Adekunle Ajasin University.

“We should not be satisfied with being the Best State University, but one of the very best of all varsities in Nigeria and in Africa. That should be a legacy we all should pursue and bequeath to future generations.”

Speaking on how he fared during his first term in office, the Council Chair said, “I had good working relationships with members of Council and members of the University community, which, of course, helped us to achieve some feats. Our major achievement at the 6th Council is the building of our world-class Business School in Akure that was inaugurated early this year by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.”

Earlier at the Inaugural Meeting, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, had sought the support of the 7th Governing Council to achieve the set goals for the University.

He said, “As Management, we seek your support and cooperation to deepen our academic activities and integrity through purposeful teaching and robust research; continuously upgrade our academic support facilities; improve on our Internally-Generated Revenue; rebrand and promote the image of the University; improve on staff and students’ welfare, including security of lives and property; foster healthy industrial relations with staff unions; and advance community service and engagement.”

The people of Ogbagi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest to register their grievances against alleged plans to impose another monarch on the community.

The people who converged on the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure, said they were informed that Chief Eleegun of Eegun Street in Ogbagi Akoko has been recognized as Oba within the community, saying that the development is against the culture and traditions of the ancient community.

According to the protesters who noted that there can never be two Obas in one community, particularly called on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to intervene and help them solve the issue before it gets out of hands.

They carried various placards with different inscriptions such as, “Ogbagi community says no to another Oba except Owa of Ogbagi land”; “It is a taboo to have two Obas in Ogbagi Akoko”, “Eegun does not have a defined territory in Ogbagi land”, “Eleegun is a Minor Chief under Owa of Ogbagi Akoko”, among several others.

The protesters were led by Chief Sajowa of Egako in Ogbagi, Moses Adeyemo and the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew.

Addressing the government representative, the poeple explained that the peaceful protest was to show their opposition to the appointment of Eleegun of Eegun, one of the Chiefs in the community, as Oba.

Chief Adeyemo explained that Eegun is a street in Ogbagi and has no land in the community, adding that the community will not accept any move by unscrupulous elements to cause crisis in the peaceful community.

“According to our history and traditions, we only have and know one Oba in Ogbagi community which is Owa of Ogbagi. The name of the present Owa of Ogbagi is Victor Ojo Adetona. We don’t know or have any other Oba in Ogbagi again”, he said.

Also, the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew, said members of the community wanted Governor Akeredolu to urgently intervene with a view to help resolve the matter once and for all.

He added that the culture and traditions of Ogbagi must be upheld and protected, saying that only Owa of Ogbagi is the recognized monarch in the history of the ancient community.

“It is a taboo to have another Oba in Ogbagi Akoko except Owa of Ogbagi land. All the sons and daughters of Ogbagi community, both home and abroad are against the move to impose another person on the community”, he said.

He particularly accused a former Chief Judge of the state of being behind the matter and appealed to Governor Akeredolu to prevail on him in the interest of peace in the community.

The poeple also submitted a copy of their Complaint Letter to the government representative for urgent action.

Addressing the peaceful protesters on behalf of the state government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, commended them for expressing their grievances in a peaceful manner.

He assured them that all their complaints would be conveyed to the Governor for necessary action, just as he charged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the community.

The importance of girls child education to the social, human and economic development of any society has again been re-emphasized.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Chief Olugbenga Ale,  while speaking at the presentation of Bursary and Scholarship Awards to girls child students of Idogun High School in Ose Local Government Area of the state, particularly lauded the organisers of the programme for giving priority to girls child education.

No fewer than 46 female students of Idogun High School benefited from the  Bursary and Scholarship Awards courtesy of an endowment instituted in honour of the late wife of a former Secretary to the State Government and ex-Head of Service, Attorney Omolorun Modupe, Deaconess Beatrice Oyinwande Modupe JP Educational Foundation.

The event held at St Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Idogun, was attended by parents of the beneficiaries, school managers, educationists, top bureaucrats in the state and several others.

The Chief of Staff explained that the awards given to the students will alleviate the burden of their parents in providing them qualitative education, even as he advised the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously as these awards have placed additional responsibility on them to be up and doing more than ever before.

Chief Ale described education as a veritable instrument that unlocks the innate imagination and intellectual capacity in every individual, through which everyone contributes to the overall development of the society or State.

According to him, education is one of the fundamental means through which our children and young ones can improve their personal endowments and build their capacities towards creating enormous opportunities for their overall
well-being. 

“I want to, therefore, say with all emphasis that no society, state or nation can develop, socially, economically and politically beyond the overall educational and intellectual capacity or opportunity of their citizens or inhabitants. I want to, therefore, congratulate this Foundation for deeming it fit to organise this bursary and scholarship programme for our female students.

“As we are all aware, to educate a girl child means to train her mind, character and abilities.  Time has come for us to do away with the notion that a woman’s place is in her husband’s kitchen or that they must take the back seat in the scheme of things.  Our women must occupy their place of pride in the top echelon of political and public offices.

“We are, all  therefore, obligated in our individual capacities to contribute our efforts towards removing all seeming barriers including all outdated traditional practices towards giving qualitative education to our female folk.
Let me seize this opportunity to also congratulate the female students who are beneficiaries of today’s bursary and scholarship awards. 

“I implore you all to take your studies seriously as these awards have placed additional responsibility on you to be up and doing more than ever before. It is my hope and expectation that these awards being given to the students will alleviate the burden of their parents in providing them qualitative education”, he added.

The Chief of Staff also said despite the economic melt down across the globe,  the administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi  Akeredolu, has been giving deserving indigent students of Ondo State bursary and scholarship awards within the available financial resources.

” It is also worth mentioning that the present administration in Ondo State has committed huge financial outlay to the uplifting of the standard of education in the State.  More than 1,200 primary school teachers were recently recruited.  Furthermore, several primary schools across the 18 Local Government Areas in the State have been renovated.

” This development has invariably engendered confidence in our public schools system as students enrolments in the schools have increased in recent times. Once again, I appreciate this Foundation for being a blessing to these young minds and I wish to also encourage all other well-to-do and other similar Foundations to embrace this noble cause and contribute their own quota to the educational development of our dear State.  We cannot afford to leave it in the hands of the government alone”, Ale stressed.

I equally congratulate our revered elder, Chief Omolorun Modupe whom I have utmost respect for, on the establishment of this Foundation thereby sustaining the good legacy of his late wife.  It is my prayer that God Almighty shall continually endow your esteemed self with the necessary good health, strength, wisdom and resources towards the sustenance of this laudable cause.
Thank you all and God bless.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Foundation, Mr. Oloruntoba Emmanuel, said the emergence of the Foundation is a product of the firm belief in the English Maxim which acknowledges that “Knowledge is Power”.

In their separate goodwill messages Mrs Margret Modupe Ijaware; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Mrs Lola Amuda;  former Head of Service, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole; former Permanent Secretary, Sunday Agbotoba;  Retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Sasere; Ven Ejiowuro, among others stressed the importance of girl child education to national development.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Ogunleye, appreciated the Foundation with a promise to make good use of the scholarship awards.

It was a joyful moment for the General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Rev Mrs Ayo Adeyemo, as she bowed out of the public service of Ondo State.

At the Pens Down and Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving ceremony on Thursday held at Pride of Zion Ministry, Ilekun, Oda Road, Akure,  speakers after speakers lauded the retiring GM for her quintessential and meritorious service to the state.

 Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu described Mrs Adeyemo as highly dedicated, loyal and passionate officer who has contributed in no small measure to the hygienic and healthy status of the Sunshine State.

Governor Akeredolu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, said Mrs Adeyemo’s uncommon passion and dedication to duty stood her out.

“She has been on this job for a while. Even before she became General Manager, I have been following her activities while serving as director in the Waste Management Authority.

“We always listen to her enlightenment programmes on radio and television. She was irrevocably committed to her job, her duty, and has brought a lot of good things to our state. No wonder she was considered worthy to become a General Manager of that same Agency.

“So, I rejoice with her as she is retiring and pray that she will spend the rest of her life in good health and prosperity”, the Governor said.

The colorful event also had in attendance, spouse of the celebrant, Pastor John Adeyemo and other family members; Commissioner for Environment, Sunday Akinwalere; Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender, Mrs Olamide Falana; the State Accountant General, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oni; Management and staff of ODSWMA; the Managing Director/CEO ZL Global Alliance, Dr. Abiola Bashorun; immediate past GM of the Authority, Ayo Mesuleya, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, wives of Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other top bureaucrats; traditional rulers, friends and well-wishers.

In his sermon, the officiating Minister, Prophet Abiodun Olofe, congratulated and rejoiced with the celebrant and her family for the grace of God that has made her retire peacefully from public service without any blemish.

He also described the members of Adeyemo family as sophisticated vessels of God, very dedicated, reliable and diligent poeple who have made positive impacts in their various endeavours, urging them to continue to praise God for all His good works in their lives.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalere and the Acting GM of ODSWMA, Mr Kunle Olajumbu, while congratulating Rev Adeyemo on her retirement and 60th birthday, lauded her uncommon, humility, professionalism, passion and dedication to duty, adding that her uncommon commitment to service will be missed my all.

They commended her for the sterling and unprecedented achievements recorded  in every area of the Authority, describing her as a goal-getter and a workaholic.

Other speakers at the event described Mrs Adeyemo as a reliable and trustworthy leader, caring mother and woman of honour.

The children of the celebrant described their mother as a dutiful officer, responsible mother and loving wife.

There were also goodwill messages from ODSWMA, EHOAN, family, church, friends and others.

Speaking at the event, the celebrant who could not hide her joy, sang various songs of praise to God to appreciate Him for the grace she has received so far. 

She said she would remain ever grateful to the Almighty God for making the day a reality, even as she thanked all for the honour done her.

“I feel delighted because it is a great joy to see myself retiring peacefully, hale and hearty, without any hitch. So, I give glory to God. I’m really overwhelmed with joy. And with the caliber of poeple that came to felicitate with me, it is a great amazement. I give glory to God and I will continue to give glory to God because He has done wondrous things in my life.

“I trip down memory lane and see that God has been so faithful, so merciful, so kind to me and my family, even for the enablement given me to reach the peak of my career, I say thank you Jesus. God has made things right with me. I thank everybody for their support.

“The journey so far has been so rough, turbulent, full of ups and downs, but in all I say thank you Jesus, and I will continue to say thank you Jesus. This is my profession and I have passion for it. I love making environment friendly because there is an adage that says “health is wealth”. Even after leaving the service I will continue to support the profession to ensure healthy living”, she said.

The husband of the celebrant and immediate past Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, appreciated all their guests who have come from far and near to be part of the glorious occasion.

Highlights of the colourful ceremony are prayers for the celebrant and family, cutting of cake, presentation of gifts, Obitun dance, special rendition by the Church Choir, Government House Choir and thanksgiving.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has described the late mother of the State Governor, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, as an excellent mother with a righteous and loving heart and an exemplary virtuous grandmother. 

In a Condolence Letter, on behalf of the Management, Staff and Students of the University, Prof. Ige commiserated with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his entire family over the demise of the matriarch, describing her death as irreparable loss.

The VC said, though it was such a painful exit, nevertheless our consolation is in the fact that Mama had lived an exemplary life and she is being survived by highly responsible and enviable children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are capable of keeping her good legacies.

“No doubt, Mama was an excellent mother with a righteous and loving heart. Her demise at this period will definitely be challenging, considering her roles as a matriarch, a confidant and a shining example of a virtuous woman. Her death, indubitably, will leave a huge vacuum which only time, her fond memories and the Lord Almighty can fill”, he added.

He assured the Governor and the family of the thoughts and prayers of the University community. 

He specially prayed God to console the entire family and give them the fortitude and the strength to deal with this great loss, and grant Mama eternal rest and put her soul where the righteous rest