PanNigerianNews 
By Ben ADEPOJU
The global president of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Alumni Association, Hon. Solomon Onilede, among others, has been honoured with award of excellence by the LAUTECH chapter of the Federation of Ogbomoso Students Union (FOGSU).
At the event chaired by a world renowned sports administrator, Dr Amos Adamu, and tagged “2023 Gbegiri Day” at Sifax Hall in LAUTECH, the union president, Comrade Olamide Olarinde, noted that Hon. Onilede, Dr Ogunleye and other awardees had contributed creditably well in the their chosen careers and endeavours, adding that their invaluable contributions should not go unappreciated.
The registrar and secretary to the Governing Council of the institution, Dr Kayode Ogunleye, and a host of traditional rulers, academics, administrators, philanthropists, ex-student leaders also received awards.
Receiving the award on behalf of Hon. Onilede, the institution’s Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Adewusi Adepoju, lauded the union for finding the awardees worthy of the honours.
Dr Adepoju, who lectures at the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry of LAUTECH, also commended, what he called, the immense contributions of the awardees.
Speaking to pannigeriannews.com, he said, “We may find it extremely difficult to describe Hon. Onilede and Dr Ogunleye owing to their magnanimity in their services to the University Community and global arena.
“Hon. Onilede has played very pivotal role in lifting the moral of students and ex-students of LAUTECH and beyond. In his career, he has distinguished himself beyond measure.
“If you talk of our seasoned administrator and linguist of high repute, Dr Ogunleye, words will not be enough to express this.
“This also goes to our distinguished professors and traditional rulers.”
“Gbegiri Day” is a special event celebrated by students of Ogbomoso origin anywhere in the world.
Among those also awarded (or to be awarded) were Oba Samuel Babatunde Oyebamiji Amao, Aale of Okelerin Kingdom; High Chief Okesanya Jacob Akintunde (Balogun Aale of Okelerin Kingdom); Iba Alh. Tajudeen Abímbólá Aminu, Iba Abogunde, Orilẹ Abogunde; Oba Abdul-wahab Asifat, Onibapon of Ibapon land; Oba Adelowo Timothy Adebayo, Onitengba of Tengba Prof Jide Ajao; Prof. Abel Babalola Ogunwale. Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development; Prof. Olusegun Adebayo Ajala, Department of Pure and Applied mathematics.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Adamu advised the students to make good use of the course they study.
Adamu who studied Physical and Health Education, recounted his experience and the importance of his resoluteness on the course, saying “My colleagues who went abroad to do postgraduate courses came back and I helped them in securing jobs. I neglected my offers to go abroad and study for my postgraduate programme after graduating from Nigeria. Opportunities are at your fingertips.”
In his remark, Iba Aminu dwelled on the value of Yoruba cultural heritage, emphasising that “We have lost our culture to English through language, our dressing, in our food, hair styles of our women and lots more. “Gbegiri Day” reminds us of our culture and I charge you to keep it up.”
Comrade Olarinde thanked the entire union and the University community for the eventful celebration.
