The Pioneer Movement of Iseyin held its annual public lecture today at Queen Event Centre, Ado-Awaye road, Oja Agbe.
The public lecture which was held in honour of Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON had several dignatories in attendance.
The President of the Movement, Pioneer Abimbola Ojedokun while delivering his speech gave historical background of PMI as a non-political and non-religious association founded by visionary founding members who were very passionate about development of Iseyin. He also stated that this year’s PMI week was in honour of a role model and an illustrious son of Iseyin, Oke-Ogun and Oyo State, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON.
In the lecture titled “The Impact of Effective Judicial System on Community Development”, Professor Adeolu Akande, who was represented by Dr. Adekunle Ajisebiiyawo of the Igbinedion University, Edo State while delivering the lecture, averred that judiciary is the last hope of common man and that the efficiency of judicial system would boost people’s confidence which on the long run engenders rapid development.
“Judiciary has remained unique in several ways too numerous for listing. It is the backbone, bedrock, the last hope, the breath, the pillar, the shepherd, the watcher and defender of last resort for democracy and the people”.
Among members of the discussants: a candidate for the position of Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Oyedeji (Oshine) while speaking enumerated importance of judiciary as interconnected with both executive and legislative arms. He claimed that doctrine of separation of powers and checks and balances within the arms of government would strengthen democracy.
In her words, the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo while granting interview to ODUDUWA NEWS said, she was overjoyous when she heard of such a laudable programme organized by PMI, she said she was impressed that the programme targeted at encouraging the young ones and indigents in the community to actualize their dreams through scholarships and grants. She used the ocassion to implore parents not to set limitations to what their children could achieve in life.
Over N2.5m cash prizes were awarded to various categories of winners which included – three best students in tertiary institutions: Adewumi Sheriff of the University of Lagos, Imran Sikiru Niniola, HND Student of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, and Owolabi Sekinat, Mass Communications Student of Kwara State University. Mr. Yusuf Mutahiru of the Iseyin District Grammar School, Miss Salawu Oyeyemisi of the St. John Catholic Grammar School, and Mr. Azeez Taofeeq of Muslim High School honoured with PMI Outstanding Teacher Awards. Other prizes went to the best male and female students in WAEC; three best students in secondary schools; and lastly best headmaster/headmistress.
Among those who graced the ocassion were traditional rulers; Hon. Justice L. A. Ganiyu who was the Chairman of the Ocassion, Nollywood star, Afeez Oyetoro (Saka), journalists, lawyers, representatives of political officeholders, among several others.