By Asaye Bankole
IBADAN, Oyo State — Distinguished traditional rulers, labour leaders, academics and other prominent personalities have been honoured for their contributions to leadership, public service and national development at the 2026 Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards organised by D Chronicle Media Ventures in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, held on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, celebrated outstanding individuals whose achievements have contributed to societal development, while highlighting the need to preserve Yoruba history and cultural heritage, promote ethical leadership and strengthen the region’s contribution to nation-building.
Among the award recipients were the Elegboro of Ijebujesa, His Royal Majesty, Engineer Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye I, and his wife, Olori Omolara Agunsoye, who received the Royal Couple of Distinction Award, and Comrade Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, who was honoured with the Labour Icon of the Year Award.
The ceremony, organised under the theme, “Legends of Service: The Southwest Blueprint for Nation Building,” featured a keynote lecture, an awards presentation and the unveiling of a magazine documenting the achievements and contributions of distinguished personalities across the Southwest.
Delivering the keynote lecture, former Acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ambrose Ayelari, emphasised the importance of celebrating outstanding individuals during their lifetime, noting that many had made remarkable sacrifices and contributions to the development of society.
Ayelari said recognising accomplished individuals would help preserve their legacies, inspire younger generations and encourage a culture of excellence, patriotism and selfless service.
He cited several prominent Nigerians whose contributions have left lasting marks on the country and the Southwest, including the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whom he credited with advancing Western education in the region, and Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
Others mentioned included businessmen Mike Adenuga and Femi Otedola; musicians Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; and the late former politician Bola Ige.
He also acknowledged the contributions of football personalities Rashidi Yekini, Mutiu Adepoju and Festus Onigbinde, Nigeria’s first indigenous national team coach, alongside athletes Tobi Amusan and Asisat Oshoala, among other notable figures.
The professor, however, called for improvements in the political, economic and moral climate of the Southwest, urging political leaders and citizens to embrace integrity, mutual respect and national loyalty.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he appealed to politicians to accept electoral outcomes peacefully, comparing elections to football matches in which there must be winners and losers.
He warned against political violence and hostility, stressing that peaceful coexistence, tolerance, dialogue and respect for opposing views were essential to building a society capable of producing future generations of responsible leaders.
He urged political actors to place the interests of the people above personal ambition and to recognise that the strength of democracy depended not only on elections but also on the conduct of leaders and citizens after the polls.
Ayelari further advised stakeholders across the region to promote inclusive governance, strengthen institutions and create opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in public affairs.
He said the Southwest could continue to serve as a model for national development if its leaders remained committed to accountability, justice and the welfare of the people.
In his remarks, the royal father of the day, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa, Engineer Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye I, called for the reintroduction and strengthening of history education in schools to prevent Yoruba history and cultural heritage from being forgotten.
The monarch, who attended the event with his wife, Olori Omolara Agunsoye, stressed the need to revive Yoruba cultural values and traditions while ensuring that younger generations understood their historical roots and identity.
He noted that a people who neglected their history risked losing the values, wisdom and experiences that had shaped their identity over the years.
According to him, schools, families, traditional institutions and the media all had important roles to play in preserving cultural knowledge and passing it on to future generations.
He commended the Chief Executive Officer of D Chronicle Media Ventures, Mr Olaseeni Oyesusi, for establishing a platform that brings together distinguished personalities to exchange ideas and contribute to national development.
Speaking on the objectives of the awards, Oyesusi said the recipients were selected in recognition of their commitment to service, integrity, people-oriented leadership and meaningful contributions to society.
He explained that the organisation sought to celebrate individuals who placed public service above personal interests and invested in human development rather than prioritising political considerations.
According to him, D Chronicle Media Ventures goes beyond conventional journalism by documenting history, preserving societal values and projecting the achievements of distinguished personalities for future generations.
Oyesusi described the awards as both a recognition of past accomplishments and a call for greater service, urging recipients to remain committed to national development and continue contributing positively to society.
He also encouraged young people to reject shortcuts to success and embrace hard work, perseverance and integrity as essential principles for achieving lasting accomplishments.
He said the recognition of role models was particularly important at a time when many young people were exposed to pressures that encouraged instant success without discipline, preparation or responsibility.
The unveiling of the magazine, which is dedicated to documenting the achievements and contributions of notable personalities, was performed by the Elegboro of Ijebujesa.
The publication, according to the organisers, is intended to serve as a record of the lives, values and accomplishments of individuals who have distinguished themselves in different fields.
It is also expected to provide researchers, students and members of the public with useful information about the contributions of Southwest leaders and professionals to the growth of society.
Speaking during interviews with D Chronicle Media Ventures, some of the award recipients expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as a source of encouragement to deepen their contributions to societal development and nation-building.
They said the honour would further motivate them to support initiatives that promote education, peaceful coexistence, youth development, workers’ welfare and community advancement.
Some of the recipients also urged other Nigerians to see public service as a responsibility rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, agricultural experts, academics, labour representatives and other stakeholders from different sectors, reinforcing the importance of recognising exemplary service and promoting responsible leadership as foundations for sustainable development.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the challenges facing the Southwest and the wider country, including unemployment, insecurity, declining civic values and the need for stronger institutions.
Speakers at the event called for greater collaboration among traditional institutions, government agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector and the media in addressing these challenges.
The organisers said the awards and lecture would become an annual platform for celebrating excellence, encouraging constructive dialogue and documenting the contributions of individuals whose service continues to influence communities and the nation.
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