Dr. Iyiola Oyefara has congratulated the Asiwaju of Ila-Orangun and former governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Chief Adebisi Bamdele Akande on the conferment of the National Honour in the rank of Commander of the of the Order of Federal Republic CFR, by the former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the recipients of the 2023 national awards on Sunday and a total of 339 distinguished Nigerians and friends of Nigeria were honoured.
Oyefara, in a statement personally signed by him, noted that the award is a recognition of Chief Akande’s unparalleled contributions to the growth and development of Osun State in particular and Nigeria at large.
Oyefara further said, “Your Excellency, I want to seize this opportunity to heartily congratulate you on this well-deserved honor: the conferment on you of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). This Award is incredibly significant for many reasons:
First, it is a testament to your worthy contributions and dogged commitment over the past several decades to the development of Nigeria both politically and socio-economically. Those contributions are both public knowledge and private testimonies, and are too many to review in this message. Suffice it to say that you were our representative at the1977 Constituent Assembly. You later became the Secretary to the government of old Oyo State, Deputy Governor of old Oyo State, Executive Governor of Osun State and, progressively, the Chairman of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress. It takes vision and courage to achieve one’s dreams, and you are imbued with both sterling qualities. What a great man you are!
Second, since charity begins at home, and every long river has an origin, this award has brought more recognition to our great city, Ila Orangun, and the entire Igbomina land. It is a blessing we cannot take for granted. For that, we are grateful to God for your life and what you stand for.
Third, it lends credence to the widespread belief that every good deed will be rewarded by almighty God, our creator, at his own time.
Overall, you have indeed run a good race! You followed the dictates of your heart, and they led you to the right path. It takes a special person to weather the storms and keep smiling until they reach the top. You have done well in the world, but more importantly, you have done a lot of good too. We always knew you were special, and now the world knows it also.
Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for us in Ila-Orangun. Your role in the recent establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences in our town is a good case in point. This has brought the most joy to me personally as a medical doctor.
It is my fervent prayer to almighty God to continue to bless you and your entire household. May he grant you many more glorious years on earth with good health and everlasting joy.
Congratulations once again sir.” He concluded.
Dr. Iyiola Oyefara writes from the United States of America. He is the President and Medical Director of Asthma and Allergy Center in Monroe, Louisiana State.
