The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes under the leadership of Chief Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole through the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Planing Committee under the chairmanship of Balogun Gaphar Ojetola on Sunday, 25th of February 2024 decorated Chief Mrs Alhaja Basirat Alao Arisekola as the Grand Ambassador of Ibadan Culture.
The ceremony which held at the Oluwo kekere villa of late Alhaji Arisekola Alao had in attendance family, friends and well wishers of the awardee.
Before his welcome address, the Chairman 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Balogun Gaphar Babatunde Ojetola offered prayers for the soul of the Late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States Alhaji AbdlAzeez Arisekola Alao citing numerous philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives of the Aare Arisekola Alao. He prayed that Allah would continue to increase His mercy on Arisekola Alao.
According to the Chairman, the decoration is part of the pre-activities of the Ibadan Week programs which is opened to sons and daughters of Ibadanland as well as Ibadan settlers who have contributed immensely to the development and progress of Ibadanland by any measure, hence the decision of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes CCII to confer the honour on Alhaja Bashirat Arisekola Alao.
Similarly, the President-General of CCII, Chief Barr. Adeniyi Ajewole also acknowledged the contributions of late Aare Arisekola in the development of Ibadan land and Nigeria at large.
In her response, Chief Mrs Basirat Alao Arisekola expressed her appreciation, and stated that the honor is for her late husband, Aare Abdulaziz Arisekola Alao, and appreciated the CCII for finding her worthy for such prestigious title.
She also promised to mobilize her diaspora friends to support the cultural festival.
Presents at the ceremony were the son of the awardee; Hon. Umar-Faruk Arisekola; Mogaji Agbaje; Chief Babatunde Adebisi Oshingbade; Chief Mrs Kofo Aluko; Chief Mrs Fasoranti; Olori Tinuade Agbede( wife of Igbara oke King); Chief Kunle Abass; Mr Lakunle Lawal; Chief Mrs Adebayo; Alhaja Bola Ajunwon; Chief Mrs Ronke Alasaro and many others numerous to mention.