AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
In view of the rising tension that pervades the world especially in the wake of the Israeli- Hamas war, the Chairman of BOVAS Group of Companies, Samson Olusegun Bamidele, has prayed for peace across all sectors of human community.
Bamidele spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, during the launch of a N250million appeal funds for the completion of the Oke-Odo Club House, and Investiture of Patron and Matron of the Club, as well as the honouring of its friends at the Ibadan House, Oke Aremo in Ibadan.
The frontline businessman, while expressing the importance of peace to communal, city, state and global development, said, “It is time to build the Oke-Odo House in Ibadan. I have a strategy in doing this and I educate people. Be involved. Because I am involved, I shall succeed. All I am involved in succeeds.
“Importantly, always ask if what you engage in tallies with the wish of God. Because we are all involved, we shall succeed. What we come for today, I can assure you by the grace of God, because we are involved, we shall succeed. Do not say because you donated today, you would not contribute anymore in the future. We have to keep doing it. Celebrate yourself, do not undermine the interest of Ibadan. We should keep faith in one another.”
He prayed, “Oh God, help our leaders, help our home. Let there be peace in our nation, let there be peace in the world, let there be peace in our city, let there be peace in our homes.”
Chief Adeyemi Soladoye, who was Guest Speaker on the occasion, called for more strategic approach to communal and human developments.
Soladoye said, “The era of building the future for our youth is over. The way out in Nigeria today is to build our youth for the future. The over-flogged bursary awards and other monetary inducements to our youth is already becoming counter-productive. The solution is for each community to take two steps backward into the formative stages of our youth and also adopt simple, low cost, non-personalised projects that will remain in the community for ages.
“If Ibadan will regain her greatness in no distant future, the journey will start from the transformation of three affiliate Clubs of the CCII from socio-cultural clubs to community welfare advocacy groups. These are Oke-Odo Club, Ido Descendants Union, and Lagelu Indigenes Club, Ona Ara.
“The most difficult part of any job is the starting. When we dare to conquer, providence normally sets in. I wish Oke-Odo community a successful re-positioning on Ibadanland.”
The President, Oke Odo Club, Elder Kola Kolawole, expressed gratitude for the large turn out of eminent sons and daughters of Ibadan, while also assuring all of the unalloyed commitment of his team to deliver on the project.
Bamidele was one of the recipients of the Oke-Odo Club award. Also awarded posthumously by the Club were Adegoke Adelabu, former Oyo State Governor Lamidi Adesina; and Chief LL. Alli.
Among those at the occasion are a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Alhaja Ololade Agboola; wife to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Mutiat Ladoja, represented by Alhaja Modinat; Alhaji RS Oyebanji, Chief Olugbemi Ogunwale, Gbonka Olubadan; Oloye Waheed Ekun, Oyewale Saheed, Kazeem Oladepo, ex – Assistant Sec General of the club; Alhaji Tajudeen Salaudeen, Mogaji Lukman Olanlehin, Alhaji Waheed Adepoju, Alhaji Tunde Kudaisi, Abiola Alli, President, Ajorosun; and representatives of Prof. Taoheed Adedoja and Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
