Amosun, four others win Egba Diaspora awards

Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun will lead eminent Egba indigenes who will be honoured this year by the Egba National Association Inc. USA and Canada.

The event, to be hosted by the Egba Descendants Association, Dallas, holds on August 31 in Texas, US. It is the highpoint of the 5th biennial convention of the association with the theme, ‘Celebrating our Heritage’.

Amosun, will receive the prestigious Award of Excellence for his outstanding performance, leadership qualities, visionary guidance and dedicated services to the people of Ogun State, alongside Egba high chiefs – Jaguna, Chief ‘Yinka Kufile; Agba Akin, Chief Rasheed Raji; former administrator of Bauchi and Sokoto states; Asoju Oba, Chief Lamidi Sofenwa; and Otunbade Aje, Chief Tunji Sunmonu.

“The event is part of the ENA three-day activities lined up to mark the 5th biennial convention of the association which comprises of Egba and Yewa indigenes of Ogun State, Nigeria, but live in US and Canada, and it begins on Friday, August 29, 2014,” a release signed by the association’s national publicity secretary, Mrs. Adesola Abeke Ayoola, who is also the social secretary of Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc, explained.

“The award is part of the activities for the 5th Biennial Convention of the association, which will be attended by the Royal Grand Patron of our association, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, Okukenu IV and other prominent Egba high chiefs.”

National chairman of the association, Mr. Olutoyin Oladipo, stressed that while Kufile bagged the award for his philanthropic services and industrial development of Egbaland and Ogun State, Raji won the heart of the group for his giant roles as former military administrator in Nigeria and his contributions to the cultural development and success of Lisabi Festival.

Similarly, Sofenwa would be recognised for his roles as chairman of Lisabi Festival, coupled with his contributions and dedication to the education and cultural development of Egbaland and Ogun State, while Sunmonu won the award based on his philanthropic services and involvement in the industrial growth of Egbaland and the state.

Delegates from the 17 chapters of the association are expected to attend the convention, which will include lecture and symposium, Egba-Yewa Evergreen Night, feeding the homeless, donation to Salvation Army, and award/youth night.

The team from Canada chapter, Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc, Toronto, will be led to the convention by the association’s President, Chief Femi Shodunke, a journalist and Ba’aroyin of Igbeinland.