The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes has announced its decision to honour and decorate the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice I. S Yerima with the title Distinguished Fellow Award -DFA.
The announcement was made during the visitation of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week Central Committee led by the Chairman, Balogun Gaphar Babatunde Ojetola to the office of the State Chief Judge.
The CCII delegation were received by the Honourable Chief Judge, alongside Hon. Justice Olagunju, Hon. Justice (Mrs) Sule, Alhaja Oyediran, Chief Registrar, Mr Abiodun Adebisi; Assistant Chief Registrar & Mrs Olomide; Assistant Chief Registrar.
According to the Chairman of 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola, the visitation was under the instruction of Chief Barr. Niyi Ajewole, the President -General of Central Council of Ibadan, and part of the pre-activities of this year’s Ibadan Cultural Festival celebration is to visit high personalities in the State and ensuring that no-one is left.
The Chairman outlined the various activities lined up for the week-long program of this year’s Ibadan Cultural Festival of which the Grand Finale is expected immediately after the new Olubadan coronation.
Part of the activities mapped out were Education Competitions from Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Higher Institutions, Sports competition between the eleven local governments of Ibadanland, Talent- Hunts, Ibadan Conference , Free Shopping, Ibadan Youths Day, Amala/ Indigenous Music Fiesta, Ibadan Conference and Ibadan Street Parade, Business Luncheon and winding the week down with the Grand Finale where series of well deserved awards will be bestowed on merit winners.
According to the Chairman, the grand finale will take place on a Saturday in May which will mark the end of the Cultural Festival and will hold at the Liberty Stadium where the Chief Judge and other distinguished personalities, including Ibadan sons and daughters and non-Ibadan will receive their various awards.
Among those penned down to be honoured includes Her Excellency, the Wife of the State Governor, Engr. Mrs Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde (Most Outstanding Wife of Ibadanland), His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal (Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland. MOFI) among other important personalities.
In addition, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola acknowledged the support the State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has been giving Ibadan land, and by extension the CCII and Ibadan Cultural Festival.
The Hon. Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima paid glowing tributes to the leadership of the CCII for bestowing the award on her personality and pledged her total support for the success of the Cultural Festival. She prayed that Ibadanland will continue to record more success, progress and development. The Chief Justice commended the State Governor on his unflinching support towards the newly completed Olubadan Palace, first of its kind in the South West of Nigeria. She commended the visiting team and the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadanland.
In the entourage of Balogun Gaphar Ojetola were Engr. Busari Akere; Secretary 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Ambassador Chief Mrs Idowu Olaide Lawal; Member CCII board of trustee & Chairperson Amala, Cultural & Historical Tours Sub. Committee, Mogaji Kunle Shodeinde; 1st Assistant Secretary-General, CCII & Chairman Market, Contact & Resource Mobilization Sub-committee, Chief Mrs Temitope Awotunde; Chairperson Orekelewa Brain & Beauty Sub-committee, Dr. Iyabode Fadiora Alaga; Assistant Secretary 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Engr. Abiodun Bello; Member Business Luncheon Sub-committee, Mr Caleb Akande; CCII Treasurer, Alhaja Mrs Folasade Olayiwola; CCII Social Secretary & Chairperson Sports Sub-committee, Dr. Ademola Taiwo; CCII legal adviser, Mr Ademola Solalu; Co-chairman Media& Publicity Sub-committee, Mr Olugbade Bukunmi; Secretary Venue & Security Sub-committee, Mr Oladele Tokunbo; Member Historical, Cultural Tour & Entertainment Sub-committees, Mr “Kayode Ajani; Secretary Orekelewa Brain &Beauty Pageant & Member Media & Publicity Sub-committee.