Senator (Dr) Kola Balogun, a member of the ninth National Assembly, has commended the Lagelu Indigenes Club for building a Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He made the commendation after receiving a post-humous award given to his late elder brother and the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II.
The post-humous award was given at the Grand Finale of the club’s 2025 Lagelu Day, held at Mattan Hotel, Olorunda Abaa, an outskirts of the ancient Ibadan Metropolis.
Lagelu Indigenes Club, one of the foremost socio-cultural clubs in Ibadanland, built the CBT Centre to boost the educational development of the area.
The programme had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life, just as the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde and another late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, CFR, also received awards.
Senator Balogun said Mogaji Aliiwo, Kamaldeen Adeboye Giwa, who came to the event with him and other family members, would have received the award for the late Olubadan but had to leave in the middle of the programme for another family engagement.
He saluted the foresight of the Lagelu Indigenes Club in coming up with the laudable project which primarily “is not to serve any personal or selfish interest outside of the general and community interest, especially the interest of the younger and upcoming generations.
“This clearly shows the club as futuristic and it is something worthy of emulation by other clubs.”
He said a project of that nature would have attracted the attention of the late Oba Balogun, if he were to be alive because of his passion for education and the youths and asked that all hands must be on deck to ensure its success.
Balogun, who represented Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023, said he and the Mogaji Aliiwo agreed that the Aliiwo Family would support the project with ₦1million.
In his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Dotun Sanusi, described Lagelu Indigenes Club as one of the most dependable clubs in the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Sanusi, represented by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, said members of the club “are not just outstanding, they stand out as Ibadan sons and daughters.”
Highlights of the programme included a lecture, titled “Lagelu Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” delivered by Dr. Bayo Adebowale.
The Guest Lecturer dwelt on the war prowess of the legendary Lagelu and the result of what has become to be known as the biggest city in West Africa and the third largest in Africa.
He also spoke on the development that had taken place in Lagelu Local Government Area, a council named after the Ibadan war legend.
Dr Adebowale expressed his wish for the expansion of some of the social amenities currently being enjoyed in the area to meet the expected challenges that may emanate.
Other award recipients at the occasion were Chief Sikiru Adeyemi Soladoye; Akara of Ara Kingdom, Oba Dr. Olubayo Adesola Windapo; Mrs. Olanike Oladayo Ayenuyo, JP; Pastor Olugbenga Joseph Kuye; Alhaja Alirat Bolanle Oladele; Chief Yemi Idowu; Princess Alirat Okeleye and Chief Olayinka Segelu Akintola Oladimeji.
Dignitaries in attendance were Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, a member of the House of Representatives (Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency) and Arc. Hassan Giwa, who also donated ₦1million.
Senator Akintunde donated ₦2.5million, while the three elected officials from Lagelu Local Government Area, Hon. Akinmoyede, the chairman, Hon. Mudashiru Morenikeji and the lawmaker representing Lagelu State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Olajide Akintunde Emmanuel, jointly donated ₦10million.
