OSUN NLC CHAIRMAN BAGS AKONI OODUA BIBIRE LEADERSHIP AWARD, SEEKS END TO INSECURITY
By Dupson Collins, 3rd June, 2026
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, Comrade Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo has been honoured with the prestigious Akoni Oodua Bibiire Yoruba Leadership Award 2026 by Akoni Oodua Global Services.
The award ceremony, held on Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 at Ile N’la, Ooni of Ife Palace, Ile-Ife, recognized Arapasopo for his indelible contributions to humanitarian services and Union Matters in Osun State.
The AKONI Oodua Award meaning “Brave Warrior of Oodua” is a highly prestigious traditional and leadership accolade in Yorubaland, Southwest Nigeria put together by Akoni Oodua Global Services Ltd In conjunction with Oodua Heritage Leadership International Platform.
It honors individuals who display exceptional bravery, outstanding leadership, and steadfast dedication to promoting Yoruba cultural heritage, good governance, and community development.
The 2026 Akoni Oodua Bibire Leadership Public lecture theme was “Blessing Nigeria with the wealth in Yoruba Leadership” delivered by an erudite Professsor from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko.
The Converner of the Award, Asiwaju Temidayo Ayodele stated that, Akoni Oodua Bibiire Leadership Award 2026 was organized to celebrate and encourage sons and daughters of Yoruba extraction for their unwavering contributions to society and exemplary leadership in their different fields of human endeavors.
He added that, “Bibiire” is a deep Yoruba concept meaning one of noble birth, raised in culture, respectful to elders and constituted authority, protective of family name, and exemplary in conduct, saying the lucky recipients were carefully selected based on popular demand by the members of the public.
“This award is our own way of rewarding selflessness and paying glowing tribute to individuals who have dedicated their lives to rendering service to humanity, advancing the Yoruba race, and contributions to community development”.
Speaking, the Labour leader thanked the Converner award for counting him worthy for the Prestigious Award from the cradle of Yoruba race, Ile-Ife saying it means a lot to be recognized by Ooni of Ife Palace.
He stressed the need for every son and daughter of Yoruba extraction to imbibe Omoluwa ethos in all their dealings, saying nobody can buy noble birth (Bibire), describing it as in-born.
Arapasopo commended Ooni of Ife for promoting Yoruba cultural heritage, while calling on Yoruba Leaders to continue to support the reverred monarch in advancing the course of the race among comity of nations.
He acknowledged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, whose palace remains a symbol of cultural authority and honour, describing him as a blessing to Yoruba race.
Meanwhile, the Osun NLC Chairman sought an end to issues of insecurity in Nigeria, calling on both the federal and state governments to find a lasting solution to the menace that has crippled the country’s economy, lost of lives and property.
He condemned the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State saying the South West part of the country has begun to feel the heat of insecurity as many people have lost their love ones in the hands of Kidnappers
The Chairman urged workers in Osun State and other states to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement or faces to security agencies, saying winning the war against insecurity requires collective efforts of every Nigerian.
