The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was among several dignitaries of Ogun and Lagos State origin that poured encomiums on Senator Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, on his National honour award as Commander of the Order of Niger describing him as a reliable, dogged and resilient politician of Ogun State origin.
Speaking at a well-attended reception that had former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Oyedele-Salako, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro and two former Speakers of Ogun State namely Rt. Hon Tunji Egbetokun and Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekumbi respectively, the Ogun State Governor said that Senator Adeola, popularly called ‘Yayi’, is a man diligent in his work and it is not a surprise that he dines with kings with the prestigious National honour award.
“From your antecedents and traits of humility, hardwork, doggedness and progressive focus in pursuits of development and humanitarian initiatives as an accountant and politician, you are a true son of Ogun State that we are proud of. On behalf of my family, the good people and government of Ogun State, I congratulate you on this national award. You are following the footsteps of great men in Ogun State with similar qualities you are displaying like our revered Pa Awolowo, Chief MKO Abiola, Professor Wole Soyinka, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. I am sure you still have many higher places to go in life” the Governor stated.
Prince Abiodun, who spoke in the presence of Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota and 5 other Ogun West traditional rulers, said they are not just proud of the Senator as Ogun West son but Ogun State who will be the next Senator of Ogun West adding that “I am not campaigning yet but as a Prince, we know what to do and when to do it. Yayi is the incoming Senator of Ogun West”.
Oba Olugbenle, in his congratulation to Senator Adeola, noted that it is not a coincidence that the three incoming Senators in Ogun State in the person of Yayi for Ogun West, Otunba Daniel for Ogun East and Alhaji Shuaib Salisu of Ogun Central, all of APC with the Governor are together in attendance adding that they all should put their mind to rest as God willing, the people of the state will give them mandates for the good of Ogun State.
Others, who spoke glowingly of Senator Adeola’s qualities leading to the CON award were Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Prince Rabiu Oluwa, the apex leader of APC in Lagos State, Hon.(Dr.) Babatunde Adejare (Agege, Federal Constituency) and Hajia Dr. Halima Gaya, the Chairman of Senate Wives Association.
Senator Adeola appreciated all that honoured him with their presence with special reference to the Governor, who he said had been a great encouragement in his desire to move his home base in Ogun State for service adding that the encouragement doubled when he became Governor of the state and saw that there is a role for him to play.
Among other dignitaries at the event were Senator Jubrin Isah (Kogi East), Senator Lekan Mustapha (Ogun East), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Otunba Babatunde Ogala SAN, Dr. Micheal Akabuogu, MD/CE of NSITF and a host of Commissioners and legislators from both Lagos and Ogun State.