The Ogun State government yesterday honoured three prominent indigenes for their role in the state’s creation in 1976.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was conferred with the “Icon of All Time” Award, renowned statistician, Prof. Biyi Afonja, bagged the Icon of Outstanding Service in public service.
Also honoured were Olori Yetunde Gbadebo, Obafunke Otudeko, Sir Kessington Adebutu and Prof. Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka.
Adebutu was honoured for his outstanding philanthropy that traversed beyond the state; Otudeko and Soyinka were honoured in absentia for their contribution towards the growth and development of society.
The award presentations were conferred on the beneficiaries at a banquet organised at the emerging President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Kobape.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the guest of honour, presented the the “Icon of All Time” award to Obasanjo. Governor Ibikunle Amosun presented the other awards to Afonja and Olori Gbadebo.
Obasanjo was the Chairman of the Committee on the Creation of States established by the then Supreme Military Council(SMC)while the duo of Afonja and Olori Gbadebo were the only surviving members of the team who worked for the state’s creation out of the Old Western Region.
Obasanjo, who responded on behalf of the awardees, lauded the government for the honour.
Obasanjo said he would support the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and others clamouring for the creation of Ijebu state on condition that the capital would be sited in Ikenne, the headquarters of Ikenne Local Government .
The ex-President, who was reacting to Adetona’s subtle call for the creation of Ijebu state, said Ogun State was a seed planted 40 years ago by the SMC.
He praised past rulers, describing them as lively stones upon which Amosun is building upon.
According to him, Amosun had built “most nobly” upon what he met and prayed that the state would have grown better in the next 40 years than it had in the last 40 years.