Stars Aligned: Seriki, Ikuforiji, Onibon, T.J Abass, Akindele, Others Honoured At EDCAA 2023

Organized by the Concerned Nationbuilders Initiatives (CNI), the award ceremony which held at Lagos Theater in Epe, Lagos State, marked the NGO’s 5th edition.

The presence of the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Epe Division, Alhaji Akani Seriki (Bamu), the former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sabitu Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and the former Lagos House of Assembly Member, Honorable Segun Olulade, among others, added glamour to the event.

Prof Nasirdeen Onibon Delivering the first lecture

The first guest speaker, Prof Nasirdeen Onibon, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University Of Education, delivered a wonderful presentation on the roles of government, traditional rulers, political leaders, intellectuals, and non-governmental organizations like CNI in driving community development.

“Community development is a process through which community members come together to take collective actions to generate solutions to common problems.”

“The problems we have today are common to all of us. It’s no respecter of age, status, race; in fact, it is beyond any demographic limitations.”

“If we have provisions for our infrastructural facilities such as clean pipe-borne water, stable electricity, reliable health care system, and transportation system, are we likely to live longer?” he queried.

He charged all concerned stakeholders to double their efforts in ensuring that government policies and programs have a positive effect on the human capital development of the populace.

Delivering the second lecture, Chief Dr. Bisi Akindele delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the roles of parents in nation-building.

Dr. Bisi Akindele

She stressed that children must be exposed to volunteer activities at an early age, as such exposure would prepare them to give back to society without expecting anything in return later in life.

“You cannot develop a community if you don’t train your children, if you don’t equip them with that value. It’s not until one becomes an adult.”

“Building up a community requires collective intelligences. People coming together to contribute their quota. We have to be part of it.”

In his address, a two-time member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and current supervisory counselor for works, Eredo LCDA, Honorable Tope Odeyemi emphasized the importance of youth participation in politics.

“Active participation in politics helps to hold leaders accountable. Without being a participant, it will be very difficult to play any significant role. I do not mean that everyone should contest for office.”

“Like I have said several times, I am no longer contesting for any office, but I am still very much around to play my part in ensuring youth inclusion in government.”

“If we get the right people into government offices, we stand a great chance of ensuring that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Following his announcement as EPE Man of the Year, Rt. Honorable Ikuforiji was flanked on the podium by all the guests in attendance. In his appreciation speech, the former speaker thanked CNI for the honor and enjoined all sons and daughters of Epe to remain united to get the deserved attention from the state government.

Other notable winners on the day include:

Ambassador Oluwatoyin Kayode Lawal – Leadership in Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility
Epe Ambassador of the Year – Alhaji Akanni Seriki (Aka Seriki Bamu)
Philanthropist of the Year – Otunba T.J Abass
Eko Hot Blog – Media Company of the Year
Best Local Government/ LCDA of the year – Epe Local Government
Royal Personality of the Year – Elejinrin Of Ejinrin land
Hon. Barrister Saidat Olayinka Olafunjoye – Leadership in Skills -Based Community Service
Chief Dr. Bisi Akindele – Leadership In Education And community development
Mr. Afolabi Olaoluwa – Peace Ambassador of the Year
Kazeem Yusuf Adegboyega – Life Coach/Mentor of the Year
Mrs. Mosunmola Abiodun Adefuye – Leadership in Education Support, Community, and Responsibility
St. Michael Anglican Primary School, Epe – Best Public Primary School of the Year
Epe Girls Junior High School, Epe – Best Public Junior Secondary School
Epe Senior Grammar School, Epe – Best Senior Secondary School