EDCAA Awards: Prof Onibon Berates Commercialisation Of Awards

• Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Alara, Hon Tobun, Hon Wale Raji and others clinch Leadership awards.

By Babatunde Kaka

Associate-Professor Nosiru Onibon, Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education has condemned the trend of giving honorary awards to prominent individuals on the basis of pecuniary gratification at the expense of merit and worthiness that ought to characterise the exercise.

Onibon was speaking at the second edition of the annual Epe Division Community Awards (EDCAA) held on Thursday, December 9th 2021 at Lecture Theater II, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED).

Receiving the Exemplary Leadership Award of the year, Associate Professor Nosiru Olajide Onibon expressed regret that awards which fundamentally ought to recognise excellence and distinction have become common commodities that could be auctioned to the highest bidder.

“I don’t see the essence of being given an award for performing one’s rightful duty, what one is paid for as a good idea. But in Nigeria, maybe because some people in the past had failed to carry out their responsibilities as at when due and judiciously; Nigerians now consider those who are doing what they are employed to do as special people that deserve honour,” he stated.

The provost also seized the medium to admonish nominees and recipients of awards in different categories not to view the recognition through the prism of a sense of accomplishment, but as a shot in the arm to engage a higher gear in their service to humanity.

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Associate-Professor Onibon; who gave his two cents as a guest speaker on the topic “Community Development: A Panacea to Sustainable Economic Development,” reflected on the level of enduring impact of poverty alleviation programmes in the Nigerian Society. He submitted that those in the upper echelons of society owe a sacrosanct duty of ameliorating human adversity to the nether regions of society.

As gathered by Eko Hot Blog, the Lagos State House of Assembly Member, Epe Constituency I, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, clinched the Man of The Year award, while the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Epe Federal Lawmaker, Hon Wale Raji, Lagos Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, and Education District III, Dr Mrs Yinka Ayandele won the Royal Personality of the Year Award, Award of Excellence, Social Change and Impart personality of the Year Award, Leadership Award and Education Support Personality of the Year Award respectively.

Some of the awardees include Mr Popson Jaiyesimi, former Lekki FreeTrade Zone Director (Most Supportive Indigene in Diaspora), Director Co-Curricular Activities, Education District 3, Mrs Aderonke Odunsi-Titus (Upright Leadership Award), Mrs Modinat Edu (Outstanding Service Award) and Teslim Adventures (Tourism Support Award).

Others are, Comrade Giwa Moshood (Youth Influencer of the Year Award), NYCN Ibeju-Lekki (Youth Organization of the Year), U.B.A (Best Customer Service of the Year Award), Mr Jubril Idris Epecity, Chief Press Secretary, Eredo LCDA (Promising Youth of the Year), Prince Ademola Adetola (Emerging Younger Leader Award). The LNSC Epe Branch (Safety and Security Organization of the Year).

The organizer of the EDCAA, Idris Olukoya, speaking on the essence of the award ceremony said the exercise was symbolic in its recognition of the outstanding contributions of the awardees to the society and further motivate them to serve with honour and integrity.

The convener of Concerned NationBuilders Initiative, CNI, revealed further that the award was meant to inspire the awardees towards a greater sense of responsibility to the community.

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