By Asaye Bankole
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Moses Olúwáfémi Agúnsóyè, Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa Kingdom, and his wife, Olori Omolara Temitayo Agunsoye, are set to receive the Royal Couple of Distinction Award at the 2026 Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards.
The prestigious honour is part of the programme organised by D Chronicle Media Ventures to celebrate individuals whose contributions to leadership, community development, peacebuilding and humanitarian service have made a notable impact in the Southwest.
The event, themed “Legends of Service: The Southwest Blueprint for Nation Building,” will hold on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Olusegun Aganga Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Professor Ambrose Ayelari, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, will serve as Guest Speaker, while Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, former President-General of the Maritime Workers Union, will be Chairman. Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is the Special Guest of Honour.
The event will feature a keynote lecture, presentation of awards and the launching of a special publication celebrating the 2026 Southwest Legends.
Oba Agunsoye, born on January 24, 1957, spent 35 years in the Federal Ministry of Industry as a Zonal Directorate before ascending the throne of his forefathers in 2017.
A mechanical engineer and former Director, the monarch has brought his professional experience and administrative background to traditional leadership.
Since his emergence as Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Agunsoye has been associated with efforts to promote peace, unity and community development.
His reign has witnessed the construction of a new palace, modern shopping complexes and lock-up shops at the Ijebu-Jesa International Market.
His leadership has also supported initiatives aimed at strengthening security in the community, including the establishment of an NSCDC Area Command and an FRSC Special Unit.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the monarch has encouraged community-driven development through initiatives such as solar-powered boreholes and scholarship programmes.
His reign has also witnessed renewed participation by community organisations and diaspora groups in the development of Ijebu-Jesa.
A major feature of his traditional leadership has been the emphasis on peaceful relations among traditional institutions within Oriade Local Government, Ijesa North and the wider Ijesaland.
Olori Omolara Temitayo Agunsoye has complemented her husband’s community development efforts through humanitarian and welfare initiatives.
Born and raised in Ilorin, Kwara State, Olori Lara trained as a nurse in Lagos before retiring from the profession. She met Oba Agunsoye in 1979 while he was undertaking his industrial training in Ilorin.
As Olori Elegboro, she has remained actively involved in community mobilisation, women’s development and humanitarian activities.
Through the Olori-Lara Agunsoye Foundation (OLAF), she has supported various welfare and health-related initiatives in Ijebu-Jesa.
Her foundation has provided assistance to pregnant women, supported maternity services, celebrated newborns and offered annual Christmas assistance to elderly members of the community.
It has also contributed equipment, including a 6,000-watt generator, to the community maternity centre.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, OLAF supported hygiene campaigns through the distribution of liquid soap, while Olori Lara has continued to identify with healthcare initiatives at facilities such as Ijebu-Jesa General Hospital.
In July 2026, she was installed as Matron of the Nigerian Union of Tailors, Osun State, Ilesa branch.
The Royal Couple of Distinction Award therefore recognises the complementary roles of Oba Agunsoye and Olori Lara in traditional leadership, community service, humanitarian intervention and development.
Their recognition will form part of the highlights of the 2026 Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards, which is expected to attract traditional rulers, government officials, academics, professionals, community leaders and other distinguished personalities from across the Southwest.
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