- Lauds business doyen for philanthropic gestures
- Cleric Urges Wealthy Nigerians To Give Back To Society
It was all glitz and glam as the Chairman / CEO of Glister Success Ltd, Engr Bamidele Babatunde was bestowed with the Chieftaincy title of Otunba Mayegun of Inisha in Inisha, Odo-Otin local government, Osun state.
His wife, Mrs. Christiana Babatunde was also installed as Yeye Mayegun of Inisha by the Olunisha of Inishaland, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Oyedele Fashikun ll, at the palace at the weekend.
Speaking while presiding over the installation ceremony, the Olunisha commended Chief Bamidele Babatunde for his selfless acts, describing him as a son honoured for his philanthropic contributions to the community.
The monarch recalled his relationship with the father of the new Mayegun, who was his classmate in 1948.
Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Oyedele, who ascended the throne as Olunisha in 1978, went down memory lane and also disclosed his blood ties with the new Mayegun and his wife.
‘His mum hails from Olouode Sumokun compound, the same household that my maternal grandmother hails from, so, this makes him my son. His paternal grandmother is my father’s relative. His maternal great-grandmother and her associates were in the same thrift association with my maternal grandmother at Sango’s compound.
“We’ve been together for a very long time. He’s my son, his wife is equally my wife. The mutual relationship between Olu-Awo’s compound and my family compound is another one entirely. Those being honoured with chieftaincy titles today are my relatives.
I’m very familiar with Olu-Awo’s compound because I spent a good time there. When I started schooling, I was staying with our teacher at Idi-Opele. That was where I knew Tunji Oyelade’s maternal grandmother. Late Chief Tunji Oyelade, myself, Tunji Oyelade and the father of the new Mayegun were together at Idi-Opele.
“It however took so long before I knew Tunji’s mother. It was his grandmother that I knew then because she treated me like his own son. The new chief is my son, in fact I’m the one honouring myself with chieftaincy title.
He commended the new Mayegun for his developmental strides, which he said has earned him honours in other communities as well.
“Time will not permit me to describe who our new Mayegun is. He was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Agba-Akin in Igbeti ,a few years ago. The then Onigbeti was my friend. I’ve been there like three times.
“Our new Mayegun has done some remarkable things in our town since preparations for this installation ceremony began. He is a good man and he is a responsible son.
“I pray that almighty God rewards the new Chief abundantly for the good things he has done for this town. May you continue to record success in all that you do and this shall be the beginning of great things in your life.
In his charte during the installation ceremony, Archdeacon of Inisha Archdeaconry and Vicar of Saint Peters Anglican Church, Inisha, Osun state, Venerable Ojelade Williams, admonished wealthy Nigerians to attach importance to giving back to society and reaching out to the needy and vulnerable groups.
He noted that contributing to the well-being of individuals and communities will help to alleviate people’s suffering and give the young helpless ones the needed help to pursue and accomplish their goals.
This, according to the clerc, will not only lessen the burden on the government, but bring relief at this testing period in the nation.
On the installation of the business doyen, Venerable Ojelade described the chieftaincy title as deserving, just as he expressed joy for the honour that the new Chief has brought to the church.
He hailed Babatunde as an advocate of peace, and charged him not to relent.
“One thing has become very clear now, everybody is interconnected. If someone takes an action, either good or bad anywhere in the world, it can have ripple effects that will impact you and me.
“That’s why we have the great opportunity to take a decision to give back to society and be altruistic. Each of us has the power to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life by giving out something.
“We should do what we can to create a systemic change and work together to use our time, skills, goods, and advocacy to help others.
“As a prominent member of our church for that matter, the church is elated that one of us has been honoured with a chieftaincy title. We thank God for the privilege.
“He is a man of peace, it is not surprising therefore that his title indicates one who promotes and preaches peace. He is a perfect fit for such a role.
“I urge all Nigerians to promote peace , there is no alternative to peace,” he said.
Also speaking, Engineer Dauda Aremu Awojobi, who called the new Otunba Mayegun a detribalized Nigerian and employer of labour, charged government at all levels to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive so that employers like Babatunde can do more to reduce rate of unemployment in the society.
In his testimony, Awojobi said, “It is a well deserved honour because this is a man that is truly serving God and humanity. He gives freely he works very hard and he doesn’t discriminate whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, a Yoruba or any other tribe for that matter, and his life has impacted positively on so many other lives.
“He started as a banker, but today he is very well into mining and he is doing very well. He is an employer of labour that is giving back to the society and if you listen carefully to what the Olunisha said, he acknowledged the fact that he has done a lot for this community and I believe that this chieftaincy title was in recognition of what he has done in Inisha and beyond. He has done a lot to help people even in Lagos where he is based.
“If we have people like him in the private sector and there is an enabling environment for them to operate, the country will benefit from such with regard to unemployment as it will be reduced drastically.”
Pastor Bayo Dahunsi, the President of Inisha Descendants Union, noted that honouring Chief Bamidele with a chieftaincy title, will definitely motivate the young people to emulate him.