The people of Igbomina land in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria on Sunday organised a reception in honour of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on the recent national award of Commander of Order of Nigeria (CON) conferred on him by the federal government.

Mr. Mohammed was honoured alongside three other indigenes of Igbomina land, Prof Wale Sulaiman(CON), MD/ CEO, RNZ Foundation, Alhaji Kamoru Yusuf (MON), MD/CEO KAM Wire Industries Ltd and Elder Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (OON), Founder and General Partner Future Africa.

The event was put together by Egbe Omo Ibile Igbomina and was held at Igbomina House, Ganmo in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mohammed assured his people that he shall continue to represent Igbominaland well in whatever position of authority he finds himself.

Represented by the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyu Age AbdulKareem, the minister thanked his kith and kin for the honour done on him.

He charged the Igbomina people in positions of authority to continue to be good ambassadors of Igbominaland.

“Those of us in positions of authority should protect our integrity and that of our fatherland. We should not forget our origin. I thank our royal fathers and leaders of Egbe Omo Ibile Igbomina for the honour done for me and my colleagues.”

Also speaking, Prof Wale Sulaiman who is the Social Democratic Party's (SDP) Kwara South Senatorial Candidate, charged the people of the district to remain united ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Community development, unity of cultural groups and promotion of cultural heritage resolve round politics hence the need for the people to participate fully this time around in politics and therefore vote for all candidates of the SDP in the forthcoming general elections.”

Sulaiman also thanked the royal fathers in Igbominaland and the organisers for their kind gesture and specifically appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for considering four Igbomina sons worthy of the national awards.

Earlier, the National President of Omo Egbe Igbomina, Elder Gabriel Yemi Jimoh, had noted that the national award recipients from Igbominaland have excelled in their various fields of human endeavours,” which have been recognized locally, nationally and globally.”

“I want to salute you for blazing the trail among millions of Nigerians to the point of being recognized by the federal government of our country. You have done us proud, hence the resolve of the national executive council of Omo Ibile Igbomina to identify and praise God with you which is why we put together this reception. I want to encourage you not to rest on your oars but to continue to do what you know how best to do so as to achieve greater things for the country. God will take you to greater height,” he added.

Jimoh appealed to Igbomina people, home and abroad to continue to engage in noble endeavours,” which will one day attract national and global recognition and give pride to Igbomina land.”