2023 Yoruba Day: Full list of awardees

By Isa Isawade

Saturday, 23 September 2023 was another anniversary of the World Yoruba National Day held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to honour some illustrious citizens in Nigeria.

The event which reportedly originated from the World Yoruba Congress held at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan, in the year 2000 under the leadership of late Senator Abraham Adesanya witnessed massive attendance of hundreds of eminent Yoruba sons and daughters.

According to the organizers of the event, the Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths), this year’s event was primarily to say “a big thank you” on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the electorate across Nigeria and the diaspora for their overwhelming supports during the 2023 general elections in the country.

The President was represented at the event by a veteran Nollywood Actor, Chief Lere Paimo while a media Guru, Elder (Dr) Taye Ayorinde who is the traditional ruler of Ekotedo, represented General Buba Marwa (Retd) as the Chairman of the occasion.

Also in attendance were Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola-Oni; Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Adesida; Comrade Jare Ajayi, Publicity Secretary of Afenifere; Chief (Mrs) J.T Raimi Julianah Titilola, Asiwaju Oloja – General of Oyo State, among others.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Ooni of Ife were jointly represented by the Olubadan’s daughter, Princess Oyebunmi Oladepo (a.k.a Orekelewa).

Below is full list of the 2023 Yoruba National Day Awardees and the names of their respective Odu’a Awards courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths:

1) Chief Frank Ovie Kokori- Ekun Oko Babangida ati Abacha

2) Dr Omololu Olunloyo- Ogo Ibadan

3) Oba Mahud Olalekan Alli Okunmade Balogun II (Olubadan of Ibadan)- Amin Isokan Odu’a

4) Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II (Ooni of Ife)- Amin Isokan Odu’a

5) Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (Former Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum)- Ore Imule Yoruba

6) Alhaji Yerima Shettima (President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum- Ilumoka Ajaf’eto Ilu

7) Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dukobo- Aborid’epenu Ti Ile Odu’a

8) Dr Taye Ayorinde- Awokose Odo Odu’a

9) Engr. Tunde Fashola- Eni Aye Nfe Ti Ile Odu’a

10) Engr. Dotun Sanusi- Ore Mekunnu Ti Ile Odu’a

11) Barr. Oladosu Oladipo- Aworawo Ti Ile Odu’a

12) Prof. Bolanle Awe- Iyaniwura Ti Ile Odu’a

13) Late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III- Amin Iranti Eni si Rere l’eyin Iku

14) Late Comrade Ola Oni- Amin Iranti Eni si Rere l’eyin Iku