The Olubadan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) will, on Saturday, honour foremost philanthropist and former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, with ‘The Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland’ award.
According to the letter of notification, the award will be in recognition of the former governor’s contribution to the education of indigent children through his free education programme and establishment of tuition-free schools, Rochas Foundation Colleges, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Over 25,000 indigent children, out of which 6,000 are from Oyo and other South-West states, have benefitted from Okorocha’s free education programme.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Olubadan, the award would cap the grand finale of the 2021 Ibadan Cultural Festival celebrations at the Liberty Stadium.
The statement read: “We in Ibadan have decided to celebrate you now and outside your territory so as to show you that Ibadan has created a deserved permanent place for you in her territory. You are most deserving of this honour by virtue of your establishment of Rochas Foundation College, first at Oke Ado in Ibadan and very recently, at the Toll Gate, Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.
“This unique youth empowerment legacy of yours will remain indelible in our minds till eternity. It is also a testimony to the fact that you have what it takes to reposition our great country.”
