By Asaye Bankole
IBADAN, Oyo State — Chief (Dr) Jakie Adunni Kassim, a philanthropist known for her support for underprivileged people across different walks of life, has been honoured with the Southwest Most Outstanding Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her humanitarian contributions and commitment to societal development.
Kassim received the prestigious award at the 2026 Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards organised by D Chronicle Media Ventures on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Her recognition highlights her philanthropic efforts and commitment to helping the less privileged, reflecting the importance of compassion, generosity and selfless service in building a better society.
Speaking during an interview with D Chronicle Media Ventures, Kassim expressed appreciation to the organisation and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Olaseeni Oyesusi, for recognising her contributions to society.
She said she was pleasantly surprised that her quiet acts of kindness and philanthropic activities had attracted public recognition, explaining that she had not expected her efforts to support people in need to be noticed.
Kassim commended Oyesusi for creating a platform that identifies and celebrates individuals whose contributions to society may often go unnoticed, describing the recognition as a source of encouragement.
Her remarks underscored the importance of acknowledging individuals who make meaningful contributions to their communities, particularly those who carry out humanitarian activities without seeking public attention or personal acclaim.
The ceremony brought together distinguished traditional rulers, academics, labour leaders, professionals and other prominent personalities from across the Southwest to celebrate individuals whose contributions have positively influenced society and advanced the cause of leadership, public service and national development.
The event was held under the theme, “Legends of Service: The Southwest Blueprint for Nation Building,” highlighting the importance of selfless service, integrity, cultural preservation and responsible leadership in building a prosperous society.
Delivering the keynote lecture, former Acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ambrose Ayelari, stressed the importance of recognising outstanding individuals during their lifetime, noting that celebrating their achievements would preserve their legacies and inspire younger generations to embrace excellence, patriotism and selfless service.
Ayelari called on political leaders and citizens to promote integrity, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and responsible participation in democratic processes, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
He warned against political violence and hostility, urging politicians to accept electoral outcomes peacefully and place the interests of the people above personal ambitions.
The lecture also highlighted the contributions of notable personalities across education, politics, business, entertainment and sports, with the speaker emphasising the need to preserve their legacies for future generations.
In his remarks, the royal father of the day, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa, His Royal Majesty, Engineer Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye I, called for the reintroduction and strengthening of history education in schools to preserve Yoruba history, cultural heritage and traditional values.
The monarch, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Olori Omolara Agunsoye, emphasised the responsibility of families, schools, traditional institutions and the media in ensuring that younger generations remained connected to their historical roots.
The royal couple also received the Royal Couple of Distinction Award, while Comrade Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, was honoured with the Labour Icon of the Year Award.
Speaking on the objectives of the awards, Oyesusi said the initiative was designed to recognise individuals who had distinguished themselves through integrity, service, people-oriented leadership and meaningful contributions to society.
He explained that D Chronicle Media Ventures was committed to documenting history, preserving societal values and projecting the achievements of distinguished personalities whose contributions deserved recognition.
Oyesusi added that the awards were not merely celebrations of past accomplishments but also a call on recipients to sustain their commitment to community development and nation-building.
The event also featured the unveiling of a magazine documenting the lives, achievements and contributions of distinguished personalities across the Southwest.
The publication is intended to preserve their legacies and provide valuable information for researchers, students and members of the public.
The gathering attracted stakeholders from various sectors, including traditional institutions, academia, organised labour, agriculture and the media, providing a platform for discussions on leadership, cultural preservation, youth development and sustainable national growth.
The organisers expressed their commitment to sustaining the annual lecture and awards as a platform for celebrating excellence, encouraging constructive dialogue and promoting values capable of strengthening society.
Kassim’s recognition as Southwest Most Outstanding Woman of the Year underscores the importance of philanthropy and humanitarian service in addressing societal needs and supporting vulnerable members of the community.
COMMENTS