* Awards recognise contributions to youth development, education and community service
The Igbomina National Students Union, University of Ilorin Chapter, has honoured former Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, and Assistant Director of Information in the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Alhaji Mustafa Muhammad Abubakar, with Awards of Appreciation in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the Union.
The awards were presented during the 25th Anniversary and Igbomina Day Celebration of the Union held at the University of Ilorin on July 25.
Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, who is contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives seat representing Ifelodun, Offa and Oyun Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, was unavoidably absent from the ceremony due to an official assignment outside Kwara State.
He was represented at the event.
According to the organisers, the awards recognised the recipients’ invaluable contributions to the success of the INSU UNILORIN 25th Anniversary and Igbomina Day Celebration, as well as their sustained commitment to youth development, education and community service.
Alhaji Abubakar, a veteran journalist and accomplished university administrator, currently serves as Assistant Director of Information in the Directorate of Corporate Affairs at the University of Ilorin.
He has played a significant role in strengthening the institution’s corporate communication through strategic media engagement, publications, news writing, media relations and public relations.
Before joining the University of Ilorin in 2012, he enjoyed a distinguished journalism career with Media Trust Limited, where he served as Property and Environment Reporter before becoming the Kwara State Correspondent and Head of Operations for Daily Trust.
His outstanding reporting earned him the Best Reporter on the Property and Environment Beat Award for two consecutive years.
Beyond journalism and university administration, Alhaji Abubakar has held several leadership positions in professional, religious and community organisations.
He currently serves as the North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, National Secretary General of the Igbomina Ekiti Muslim Forum, National Publicity Secretary of the Omupo Descendants Union, Assistant Secretary of the Igbomina Professionals Association, and Editorial Adviser of Muslim News Nigeria, among other responsibilities.
A graduate of Bayero University, Kano, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic Studies and Mass Communication as well as a Diploma in Public Administration. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin.
He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria and other professional and community associations.
Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye
Dr Rafiu Ajakaye served as Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq from the inception of the administration in 2019 until his resignation earlier this year to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Ifelodun, Offa and Oyun Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
Before his appointment as CPS, Dr. Ajakaye built a distinguished career in journalism and public communication, working with leading local and international media organisations, including the Daily Independent newspaper and Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, among others.
An alumnus of Lagos State University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the International Press Institute.
Call for unity and development
Speaking at the anniversary, National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Sir Bisi Fakayode, congratulated the Union for sustaining the Igbomina identity on the University of Ilorin campus for twenty five years.
He commended the founding members, past leaders and current executives for promoting unity, cultural heritage and academic excellence among Igbomina students.
Fakayode, however, expressed concern over growing insecurity, kidnapping, youth unemployment and developmental challenges confronting many Igbomina communities across Kwara and Osun States.
He disclosed that Omo Ibile Igbomina had declared a state of emergency on security across Igbomina land and was championing a community driven security compact involving traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters, vigilantes and conventional security agencies.
According to him, the organisation is also advocating coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing, rapid response mechanisms and the transformation of forests into productive agro security estates capable of creating employment while denying criminals safe havens.
The National President reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the peaceful and constitutional pursuit of the proposed Igbomina State, describing it as a legitimate aspiration for equitable development, administrative cohesion and fair representation.
He urged students to become ambassadors of development by encouraging successful Igbomina sons and daughters living outside their ancestral communities to reconnect with their roots through investment, job creation, education and community development projects.
Student leader reflects on administration
Executive President of the Igbomina National Students Union, Comrade Jibril Moshood Olanrewaju, described the anniversary as a celebration of twenty five years of service, unity and cultural preservation.
Delivering his valedictory address, he expressed appreciation to members of the executive council, organising committee, alumni, patrons, sponsors and members of the Union for supporting his administration.
He described serving as President of the Union as one of the greatest honours of his life, saying the experience had strengthened his character and deepened his commitment to selfless service.
Olanrewaju urged the incoming leadership to build on the achievements of his administration and continue promoting unity, academic excellence and the cultural heritage of the Igbomina people.
He also encouraged members of the Union to remain committed to integrity, sacrifice and mutual support, stressing that the strength of the organisation lies in its unity.
The ceremony brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, alumni, academics, students and distinguished sons and daughters of Igbomina land to celebrate the Union’s Silver Jubilee and honour individuals whose contributions have advanced education, youth development and community service.
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