It was a special day in Akokoland area of Ondo state as the region was agog with the 2023 edition of AkokoStar Awards, held on Saturday 18th, November, at Ugbe Hotel Hall, Ugbe Akoko.
The event was well attended by notable personalities from within and outside the country. The event kicked off with the opening remarks by the Chief Host, Goke Oluwole, Convener/Initiator of AkokoStar and CEO, AkokoTV who urged Akoko people to embrace unity and love to ensure rapid development of Akoko nation. According to him, it is important for sons and daughters of Akoko to come together to develop the land. The initiator charged the awardees not to relent in their quests to project the name of Akoko positively in their various fields.
In his words, “This award is to encourage you to do more for Akoko and its people. Please, do not rest on your oars.”
The immediate past Chairman for Akoko North West LG, Elder Samson Akande also an Awardee commended the organisers for recognizing and rewarding excellence. He was also awarded the “LG Chairman of the Year” . In his brief speech he remarked that “I am here today to accept this honor bequeathed on me by Akoko people through the organizers of this award ceremony”, Akoko people are known to be hardworking and sincere in their dealings and pursuits and this his is what we represent anywhere in the world. “Hence, I encourage our youths to embrace these values. It is profitable to be hardworking as the reward is enormous.
“Absence of Tenacity in the younger generation of Nigerians forms part of the problem we battle as a people and that narrative must change from this moment in Akoko”, added
The highlight of the evening was the celebration of many Illustrious sons and daughters of Akoko, who were honoured for their impactful contributions towards the development of the region. There are 40 Awardees honored various categories and they include: Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister for Interior and immediate Past member of House of Representative, MHR is the Star Awardee for the day as Akoko Rising Star of the Year (Icon of Nation Building).
The female gender was not left out as the Amazon category included Engr.(Dr).Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo awarded as Akoko Rising Star Amazon of the Year. Other women honored are Evang.(Mrs.) Evelyn T.B Joshua, wife of Synagogue Church founder, Prophet TB Joshua as Most Supportive Akoko Wife/ Mother, Erelu of Ikare- Kingdom, Yeye Yemi Ajonibode with Outstanding Akoko Amazon in Politics, Dr. Florence Justus- Oni was honored as Most Impactful Amazon in Corporate Sector and Hon.Sinmi Akindele Odunbaku, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, ODSG honored as Akoko Amazon in Politics & Business.
Irun Akoko born Social Entrepreneur and development analyst Olajide Olutuyi ( Canada ) and theree Akoko in Daisapora were awareded Certifaicate of Credence as AkokoStar Global Ambassadors & Diaspora Focal Personae. The others are Prince Opemipo Adeyemi LaCrown(USA),Omoyemi Celina Babajide (Austria) and Prince Rokan Adekola,(KingRokan, Georgia, USA).
Another Irun Akoko born lawyer Barr. Adamson Adeboro (SAN) bagged Akoko Rising Star Award Young Advocate respectively. Radical lawyer and Pro- Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko,Dr.Tunji Abayomi received the award as the Senior Advocate & Defender of Akoko Masses-SADAM while two other Akoko Senior Advocate of Nigeria while Barr. Bola Aidi bagged the award of Pacesetter in Human Rights & Public Advocacy.
In the Entrepreneurship category, three Entrepreneurs of Akoko descent were honored . They are former Ondo Sate House of assembly Majority leader , Irun Akoko born businessman and President Ondo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture,(OCCIMA) Hon.Olugbenga Araoyinbo was awarded the Outstanding Leader in Politics & Community Development, Engr. Emmanuel Adewumi, Baba Denki- Wire was awarded Titan in Business Industry, S.K.Ogidan the founder of Ugbeh/Ishua Hotel & Microfinance Bank was awarded as Most Impactful Entrepreneur.
Other young entrepreneurs like Alhaji Adekunle Saliu awarded Akoko Rising Star Young Entrepreneur, Hon. Olakusibe Obayan awarded as Prolific Entrepreneur in Hospitality and Hon. Cyril Egunlayi as Innovative Infopreneur.
Other leaders honoured for their Pacesetting roles include Asiwaju Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, immediate Past Senator for Ondo North as Hero of Akoko Unity & Development, Prince Tokunbo Kayode former Minister as Pacesetter in Political Advocacy & Development, and Chief Olusegun Adagunodo- Santana was awarded as Showbiz Impresario.
Major Gen. Dayo Olukoju was awarded as Pacesetter in Community Security while Hon.Ade Adeogun the immediate Past member House of Representatives for Akoko South West/ East was awarded NASS Legislator of the Year, Akogun Hon.Olugbenga Omole was awarded as ODHA Legislator of the year and Rt.Hon. Makanjuola Akinola was awarded the LG. Councillor of the Year.
Three Akoko bureaucrats, Sir. Adesola Olusade and Olusegun Olufehinti were awarded as Outstanding Bureaucrat and Most Impactful Bureaucrats and Olatunbosun Ogundipe, General Manager, Ondo State Community Development Agency was awarded as Innovative Development Agent.
Olori Omooba Olusola Sofolahan, Otunba Idowu Oriki were honored as Most Impactful Community Developers and Alh.Sanmi Arole Barry was honored as Akoko Global Fuji Ambassador, respectively.
Four Akoko Youngsters were honored for their exceptional brilliance and talents, Kazeem Shamshudeen Olawale(1st Class Law Graduate), Christopher Olusa ( Global World Record Breaker), Mohammed Miracle( ICT/Software Developer Prodigy) and Joy Omoyemi ( Best WAEC Candidate)
Former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, Hon. Mrs. Morenike Adesina Williams, former Chairman, Igando-Ikotun LCDA and the Legendary Ishola Adepoju Musical Dynasty were also celebrated with Posthumous awards.
