The late Chief Lawrence Omole, founder of International Brewery PLC, the late Pa Folorunso Awomoolo, co-founder of International Breweries PLC, Ilesa, and founder of Imo Hill Farm Agricultural business, and Dame Yinka Obaleye, the Yeye Owa of Ijesaland and founder of Yinka Oba Foam and Allied Products Industries, have been ratified by the Owa in Council for inclusion in the Ijesa Hall of Fame.
Other notable individuals nominated for inclusion include Prince Biodun Lufadeju, the composer of Ijesa anthem, and the late IK Dairo, a celebrated classical musician.
In the second category, which is the Merit Award, are distinguished individuals including Sir Sapara Williams, the first Nigerian lawyer ever produced, Professor Bolanle Awe, the facilitator and founder of the College of Education, Ilesa, now known as 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, an educational institution of international repute.
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The Merit category also comprises General Oluseyi Petinrin, who facilitated the establishment of Federal Military School at Ipetujesa; Mr. Femi Agunbiade, founder of Mekaizer Farm Iwoye Ijesa; Rasheed Sarumi, founder of SARO Agro-Allied Company; Mr. Israel Adesanya, a 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 the seven-member committee earlier chosen by the Owa in Council, which also changed the name of the popular Obokungbusi Town Hall to Ijesa Hall of Fame
The committee, which is chaired by Chief Akin Akinola, the pioneering managing director of International Brewery PLC, comprises Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa, Oba Festus Awogboro, the Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Olusegun Ogunleye, the Tirimi of Iperindo, Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Diti Aluko and Lanrewaju Balogun as members.
According to the Owa Obokun, who conceptualised the initiative, the Ijesa Hall of Fame is designed to honour Ijesa people whose investments have yielded significant benefits for the people of Ijesaland, with the aim of motivating younger generations to emulate their accomplishments.
The paramount ruler of Ijesaland observed that he opted to democratise the process to further consolidate Ijesa unity.
He warned that any honorary recipient who compromises the reputation of the land after being honoured will relinquish the title.
Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup provided insight into the lengthy list of candidates and awardees for the inaugural edition, saying numerous Ijesa people are deserving of the honour and narrowing it down proved to be a challenging task.
He said the number of candidates would be limited to one in subsequent editions and that no candidate would be inducted into the hall of fame unless the criteria were met.
Chief Disu Oyedele moved the motion to adopt the Hall of Fame and Merit Award nominees, seconded by Risa Bode Owofade and endorsed by Chief Mrs Hannah Ojo on behalf of the womenfolk
In attendance were High Chief Adeniyi Oguntoye, the Obaala of Ilesa; Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa; High Chief Saka Fapounda, the Ogboni of Ilesa; Oba Festus Awogboro, the Alademure of Ibokun; 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 Disu Oyedele, the Salotun of Ilesa; Chief Oyewumi, the Risinkin of Isinkin; Looja Bode Owofade, the Olumelu of Imelu; Chief Mrs Hannah Ojo, the Yeyerise of Ilesa and the Isogba; Lanrewaju Balogun; Diti Aluko; and Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, the chief of staff to the palace.