D Chronicle Media Ventures has announced the 2026 edition of its Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards scheduled to hold on October 22, 2026 at the Olusegun Aganga Hall, International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, themed Legends of Service: The Southwest Blueprint for Nation Building, will feature a lecture, award presentation and the launching of a special publication of the 2026 Southwest Legends.
This year’s lecture will be delivered by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Ambrose Ayelari, who will be the Guest Speaker at the event.
Former President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, will chair the occasion, while the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde, will be the Special Guest of Honour. The event will commence at 1pm.
One of the major honourees at this year’s edition is Chief (Dr) Jackie Adunni Kassim, who has been named the Most Outstanding Woman of the Year.
Chief Dr. Jackie Adunni Kassim is an illustrious daughter of Ogun State, born on May 13, 1953 in Ibadan, Oyo State. She is an entrepreneur per excellence, industrialist, security expert, humanitarian, community leader and matriarch of uncommon grace.
She began her early education in Ibadan where she had her primary education, before proceeding to England where she completed her post-primary education. Driven by passion and creativity, she moved to the United States of America where she developed herself professionally in Modelling. With years of hands-on business experience and an unquenchable desire to sharpen her entrepreneurial acumen, she later pursued a Special MBA Class in Entrepreneurship with the London School of Business and Finance, United Kingdom.
Chief Dr. Jackie Kassim started her professional career with Punch Nigeria Limited, where she distinguished herself with diligence and enterprise. She later ventured into supplies and contracting services for numerous multinationals in the Oil and Gas sector, before establishing her own business conglomerate.
She is today the Chairman and driving force behind a chain of thriving enterprises which include Missak Agency International Limited, Missak Agency Enterprises, Emerald Security International Limited, Connect Event and Suites Limited, Missak Connect LLC, Texas, USA and President, Missak Education Rural and Development Foundation.
More than just a service provider, she has become an instrument of development, connection, dispute resolution and conflict management for her vast clientele which includes industry giants such as Nigerian Breweries Plc, De-United Foods Industries Limited, Veepee Industries, Veevee Paper Products, Abvee Industries, Arvee Industries, Geepee Industries, Europlast Industries, Chitra Industries, Lombardy Industries, Vip Industries, Lucky Steel Industries, Alumax Industries, Euroglobal Foods and Distilleries, Shongai Packaging, Tempo Foods and Packaging, and Tempo Paper Pulp and Packaging Limited, among others.
Though not overtly passionate about partisan politics, her deep love for social justice, equity and humanitarian service has made her a formidable force in Ogun State’s political environment. The clamour for change by market women and the grassroots led to her emergence as the Governorship Candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Ogun State in 2019. She enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with major political office holders, the Nigerian Police Force, Ogun State Government and numerous Federal Government parastatals, agencies and institutions.
In recognition of her immense contributions to community development and humanity, she has been honoured with revered chieftaincy titles including Jagunmolu Iyalode of Igbore Land, Iyalaje of Sango and Yeye Loro of Akinhale, Owu Kingdom. She is also the Life Grand Matron of Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) and Grand Matron of several other organizations.
Chief Dr. Kassim is a woman deeply committed to peace and security. She is the Vice Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ogun State from 2016 till date, Member of the Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Member of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Rotary Club International and Vigilante Service Organization. She also served as Chairman, Committee on Trade Fair, Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in 2017.
Her philanthropic vehicle, Missak Education Rural and Development Foundation, has been a beacon of hope to widows, youths, students and the less privileged.
Her life of impact has attracted numerous awards and recognitions across the world, including Honoraris Causa Doctor of Christian Mission, West Africa College of Christian Mission in 2009, US Trade Mission Award by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce in 2013, Icon of Hope and Inspiration to Nigerian Youth by National Association of Nigerian Students in 2013, Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers Award in 2014, African Leadership Development Centre Award for Conflict Management and Resolution in 2014, Fellow Paul Harrison, YFBN Ambassador by Youth for Better Nigeria in 2014, African Most Outstanding Woman by Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award, Ghana in 2015, Grand Matron by Nigerian Association of Social Workers in 2016, Global Lady Icon Award, USA in 2016, Icon of Humanity and Excellence by National Association of South West Student Women in 2016, Female Entrepreneur of the Year by News Direct in 2017, Outstanding Personalities and Leadership Award by Dare Best Media International in 2018, Woman of the Year by Nigerian Entrepreneur Magazine in 2018, Pan-African Outstanding Leadership Award by Congress of All African Youth Leaders in 2018, Political Woman Personality of the Year by Police Community Relations Committee in 2018, Amazon Security Personality of the Year by People’s Security Monitor on 11th December, 2024, Best Philanthropist of the Year by Muslim World International Merit Award on 16th July, 2024, Owolabi Royal Icon Ori 2024 by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Icon of Hope to Humanity by Advocates for Good Governance in Nigeria in July 2025, Best Humanitarian Excellence Award by Pan African Leadership Transparent Center, Abuja on 10th July, 2025, Peace and Security Ambassadors Award by Eye-On-Security on 10th July, 2025, Best Humanitarian Excellence Merit Award by Pan-African Leadership Transparent Center on 17th July, 2025, Most Distinguished Female Advocate for Social Change by The Feminine Voice on 17th July, 2025, Gold Merit Award by Citizen Focus Magazine on 13th September, 2025, Grow Africa Prize for Excellence as Amazon of Public Service Renaissance in January 2026, Transparency Africa Honour in February 2026, Integrity Leadership Award by Nigerian Focus News Magazine on 30th June, 2026, Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ogun State Chapter on 27th June, 2026, Beacon of Hope to the Nigerian Youth by Progressive Yoruba Youth Assembly on 26th June, 2026, Political Icon and Humanitarian Service Award by Circle News on 25th August, 2026, Nigerian Living Heroes Award by Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists on 29th August, 2026, Special Recognition Icon Award by Fabulous International Achievers Award in 2026 and National Religious Leaders Peace and Security Summit Honour on 22nd September, 2026.
Chief Dr. Jackie Adunni Kassim is a true Amazon, a matriarch of industry, a defender of the vulnerable, and a golden bridge between enterprise and humanity.
COMMENTS