THE OGUN STATE HALL OF FAME.

God’s gift, talent and love for humanity gave birth to the Ogun state hall of fame in 1995. Ogun state, created in 1976 is greatly endowed with array of national and international recognized rare and unique talents worthy of emulation. It was the consensus that these rare talent must be recognized while alive or posthumously. Though the Ogun state hall of fame was conceived in 1995 but it took the guts and bravado of the administration of his Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel to establish and tastefully equipped a class hall of fame situated at the June 12 cultural centre kuto, Abeokuta. The hall was commissioned in 2006 by his Excellency chief Olusegun Obasanjo the former president and commander in chief of the armed forces of federal republic of Nigeria.

In her welcome address delivered at the grand reception held in honor of the primate of all Nigeria the most Rev Peter Jasper Akinola into Ogun state hall of fame, the Ogun state director of culture Mrs. Yemi Olanrewaju said the investiture of his grace mark yet another success story of God’s gift and love for humanity. She said Peter Akinola is indefatigable, brave, an achiever of a first class order, hence the need to blow his trumpet. She said that present discoveries and development have made it clear that the good deeds of our heroes and heroines must be made to live while they are alive and after for the present and future generations. She said Peter Akinola has Ogun state hall of fame which is an exhibition hall containing the busts and bio-data of indigenes of Ogun state who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavors and contributed immensely to the progress of humanity in general. Mrs. Olanrewaju added that the hall apart from serving the function of exhibition and celebration of these personalities is also being developed has a world class research centre for tourist researchers and as a source of inspiration for our teeming youths. The Ogun state director of culture said the primate of all Nigeria Anglican communion Peter Akinola is worthy of these honor and recognition because of his humility, humane disposition, quality service to humanity, hard work, prudence, resilience, perseverance believe in one’s ability and above all unwavering reliance on God. These according to her are sterling and ever green virtues that these generations and those yet unborn would imbibe from Peter hence the Ogun state hall of fame decided to record and document them.

Without mincing words, Mrs. Olanrewaju said Ogun state, Africa and the whole world will be grateful to God for endowing this nation with a rare gift of Most Rev Peter Jasper Akinola.

The grand reception at the Egba Diocese Bishop’s court was full of hilarious exhibition of talents dances, acrobatics cultural and traditional songs were rendered by the Ogun state cultural groups. Different musical groups both secular and religious performed to the admiration of the guest of honor the primate of all Nigeria and the entire gathering. Some comedy groups made a satire of the strange music and practices entering the church today, it was highly revealing all performed by the Ogun state arts and culture led by Mrs. Yemi Olanrewaju. Everywhere, Akinola is honored his Grace is awarded and so an award was presented to him after a beautifully written citation was eloquently delivered by Mr. Gbenga Gbesan. A lot of people spoke glowingly about Peter the recipient.

The Rt Rev Ranti Odubogun has this to say about Peter Akinola he said he was a very distinguish carpenter raised from a humble beginning with iron hands. Bishop Odubogun said Nigerians of today are spoiling their children with comfort but peter did not have silver spoon in his mouth. No wonder then that peter Akinola is blessed with unparalleled intelligence doggedness and zealousness for God.

The Rt. Rev Samuel Olukunle Ajani bishop of diocese of egba west also showered encomiums on jasper Akinola. Ajani said to talk about the primate is an herculean task he said the level of work the primate does in a day is unbelievable he said he his meticulous and humble he has taking the gospel to the nooks and crannies of the world. Bishop Ajani said it’s a great honor to walk directly with the primate in one way or the other has change his life in humility and total submission to God.

After all said and done the primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion the Rev peter jasper Akinola responded. He the organizers of the award the Ogun state hall of fame and his Excellency the governor of Ogun state chief Gbenga Daniel. Ogun state art and culture led by Mrs. Yemi Olanrewaju. He said he is deeply touched for the kindness support and generosity and all that was done to host the event he said 50 year ago he left Abeokuta with a portmanteau on his head for Nguru the primate said no one knew him, no one saw him off but by his grace the dejected poor boy is being honoured today. He encouraged the youth who today think things are so bad and poor not to lose hope but as God to guide their footsteps and the grace to pursue their ambition to be actualized and not go into crime. The head of the church Anglican Communion said hard work never kills it is indolence and laziness that kills. Young people, opined must be encouraged to be up and doing to be leaders of tomorrow and with grace of God upon their lives they will achieve what God has patterned and purposed for them. To the elders, he said in 90 days he will join the club of pensioners, and mission work in all the villages will occupy his time. According to him wild consultations have been made among elders with a view to propagating the gospel of Christ. he said all hands must be on deck to pursue vigorously mission work among the youth who are at the cross road of life so that they will be able to do things that will make their life more meaningful. Primate Akinola said a friend had already donated a rugged bus for the village mission. He said the problem of the youth is his paramount concern and these will engage his time in the months and years after retirement. He thank the good people and government of Ogun state the governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel the director of culture and tourism Mrs. Yemi Olanrewaju members of her team, the consultants and all others who in one way or the e played roles to make the event glorious he said he was immensely grateful. He prayed that God will honor them.

In an interview after the reception the primate said for the governor and people of ogun state to have honored him in this way there is assurance that all that we do are not in vain. He said there are people who are taking note of all that we do and are thanking God today. He gives thanks to God with a pleased mind. He pleaded with people who are serving and are expecting to be recognize not to worry because at some point in life if we continue to do what is right God in his own way will raise men and women who will honor and bless them. Reacting to another question arch bishop Akinola said Nigerian problems are not emergency problems they are accumulated problems they have been there and we have not been able to tackle them and it has continue to increase. He hoped that one day God in his mercy will raise up messiahs who will do what is right and take Nigeria to the next level.