Obiano, Ooni, Aregbesola, Melaye others for Hall of Grace Award

Come August 21, the Summit Centre in Alausa, Lagos, garlands celebrating graceful and purposeful leadership and sacrifice to the nation would be given to Governors of Anambra and Osun States, Willie Obiano and Rauf Aregbesola, Ooni of Ife, imperial majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Representing Kogi West Federal Consituency, Kogi State and Professor Dupe Olatunbosun among others.

The award is Hall of Grace (HOG) of the HOG magazine whose grand custodian is two term Nigeria’s Honourable Minsiter for Youths and Sports, Chief Alex Akinyele.

Managing custodian of the award and publisher of HOG magazine, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa: “The HOG award has come a long way and we thank God that the mission behind the award is still intact. The reason why every year, we gather leaders who have distinguished themselves in position of authority and honour them is because we think that Nigeria should be better than this. So, when we see leaders who distinguished themselves by doing the right thing with a view of making things better, we deem it fit to encourage such leaders with this honour so that they would be proud to do more and also inspire others to emulate them.

“Senator Melaye is being honoured for speaking out againt powers that are threatening the sustenance of democracy. It is apparent that in Nigeria of today, democracy is threatened and the only lawmaker who has challenged the Executive in the spirit of checks and balances is Melaye. Nobody is talking against the excess of the powers that is already threatening democracy. Many just keep silent about it. Everyone seems to be protecting their interest, but in the midst of this chaos, Senator Melaye dared to speak for the masses.

He is constantly challenging the government when its policies go the wrong direction.You would recall that he was the only one who spoke aginst the recent increment in pump price of petrol to N145.For governors Aregbesola and Obiano, you have to go the Osun and Anambra states to see things for yourself. There have been massive developmental projects being embarked upon by the two governors to take their states to higher level.

“Ooni of Ife actually enjoys prominence as the number one of all the monarchs in Yoruba land, but instead of taking on the mantle of ‘I’m the eldest of all, or the head of all of you’ he has rather taken up the humble burden of going round to mend fences, settling disputes, reaching out to other monarchs, institutions with a view to ensuring that there is peace and stability in the land. As a result of that he has become an example and role model for others. And we believe that it is in unity that we can thrive even as a nation. Aare Babalola has over the years distinguished himself as an African icon who has done not only Nigeria but also African proud. He is foremost in developing education, agriculture and even the Law profession in Africa.”