(Stories and Pictures By Ibrahim Afọlabi Wasiu).
It was a colorful and memorable day for High Chief Kunle ALABI, Justice of the Peace and Olootu of Iwo-Oke Kingdom when the African Institute For Justices of the Peace (AIJP) added two new prestigious feathers to his cap.
The Feesu, Iwo-born veteran journalist who now is a senior lecturer and dean, Faculty of the Management Sciences, the Iwo City Polytechnic, Feesu, Iwo was celebrated on Saturday, 21st September 2024 at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan along with many other dignitaries from all walks of life when they were conferred with the doctoral fellowship by the AIJP for his distinguished service and commitment to advancing justice and peace in Africa.
Delivering his paper, at this year’s International Peace Day, entitled “Building a Culture of Peace in Africa: now is the Time to Take Action”, Dr. Enemaku IDACHABA, department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan stated ‘if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem’. He counselled that people should be ready to love one another. He stressed that there was a need for us to be just. Justice, equity, and fair play are prerequisites for a peaceful coexistence.
The investiture started with the induction of 17 new ambassadors/fellows, one full member, and 22 doctoral fellows.
Conferring the doctoral fellowship and African Peace Ambassador on Alabi, the Chairman, Governing Council of the African Institute For Justices of the Peace (Nigeria) Amb. (Dr) Akande Kazeem BABATUNDE enjoined High Chief Adekunle ALABI to continue to be a good ambassador of peace and justice in Africa and beyond.
He stressed that he was sure that Alabi would continue to be a good ambassador of the Institute as he has been a good representative of the Osun State Government some 20 years ago when Prince Ọlagunsoye OYINLỌLA-led government conferred on him with Justice of the Peace. In the same manner, Amb. (Lawyer) Oluseyi Taiwo OGUNNAIKE, the Registrar of AIJP (Nigeria) implored Alabi to continue to be up and doing in discharging his duties as a Lay Magistrate (Justice of the Peace), while Amb. (Dr) Olukayọde Joshua ỌLAGOKE, the Bursar of the Institute prayed for the high chief. He eulogised his wife, Chief (Mrs) Iyabode Serifat ALABI for supporting her husband.
Amb. (Dr) Michael AKINBỌWALE, the Chairman of the Justices of the Peace, Ọyọ advised Alabi and other Lay Magistrates to get more involved in the administration of justice and community service development.
Community leaders, Chiefs, clergymen, leading politicians, religious leaders, military/police/road safety officers, high-ranking police officers, business moguls, and scholars were conferred with a doctoral fellowship from the African Institute For Justices of the Peace (AIJP) which has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Its president/director-general is Professor (Amb.) Jared Akama ONYARI.
The event was graced by Oba Abdulkadiri Olatunde Adeoye II, the Oluwoo of Iwo-Oke Kingdom, High Chief Iyiola EGBINOLA, the Otun of Iwo-Oke and his wife, Chief Mumini ALABI, the Oluọdẹ of Feesu Kingdom, Alhaji and Mrs Alidu Adeoye TIAMIYU, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Iwo Local Government, Hon. Musa Adeleke ỌLANREWAJU, Evangelist Charles Oluyemi AJANI-OLUGBAYE, the Chairman, Feesu Day Planning Committee, Chief Waheed Akintunde YUSUF, dean, Students Affairs, Iwo City Polytechnic, Feesu, Iwo, Mallam Idris KỌLAPỌ (Iwo City Polytechnic), Mr RASAQ Waheed Adetunji, Secretary, Education/Sports Sub-Committee of the Iwo Day Planning Committee, Iwo, Goodluck Olalekan AMOO, Referee Adebayo LAWAL, Alhaji Kamoru Yisau AKANJI, Alhaji Semiu Ademola LATEEF, Maruf Adio AKINOLA, Princes Ajibola Abass ALABI and wife, Kamoru LAMIDI, David ADEGBOYE, Umaru AZEEZ, Afees Olalekan ISMAIL (Kountry), Mrs Serifat AMINU, Mrs Afusat LATEEF, Mrs Mutiu RAFIU, Mr Talubi YEKINI, a senior staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Evangelist Adekunmi ADENIYI (a representative of the St Patrick’s Grammar School, Ibadan Old Students Association), Mrs Fatimo ADEBAYỌ, Prince (Mallam) Shuaib TIAMIYU, Prince Taiwo ADÉWUYÌ, Alhaji Gbọla KAMIL, Engr Olalekan ỌLADOSU, political leading figures, and well-wishers from nooks and crannies of the country graced the honoured
The Institute honoured two personalities at the event. The two Awardees were a royal father, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulkadiri Olatunde ADEOYE II, the Oluwoo of Iwo-Oke, and a serving Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Amb. (Dr) Fọlasade TIAMIYU-DANIEL.
Reacting, High Chief (Dr) Amb. Akeeb Adekunle ALABI, a community leader, mentor, journalist, teacher, chartered manager, and Justice of the Peace, thanked the institute for conferring on him two big titles at the same time. He promised to be a good representative of the Institute. He thanked Oluwoo of Iwo-Oke Kingdom for being a good leader and role model. He was grateful to all his leaders, friends, and associates for honouring him as always.
We congratulate our father, High Chief (Dr) Amb. Akeeb Adekunle ALABI, JP, DFAIJP, MNIM, MNUJ on this Investiture of his. We wish him more wins.
(c) Mallam Ibrahim Afọlabi WASIU September 21, 2024.
