The annual Ijebu Man of the Year Awards organised by the National Globe Publishing House was held on 12th November, 2023, at Rolak Hotels, Imowo, Ijebu, Ogun State.

Standing tall to chair the august occasion was Aare Dr. Adebayo Odunowo a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Odogbolu Local Government, who is also an agribusiness mogul. He was supported by Hon. Bakare Omolola Olarewaju (BOO) the Chief Whip, Ogun State House of Assembly as the Chairperson of the occasion represented by Alhaji Gbenga Olugbile her Political Adviser; Dr. Ademola Oduyoye was the Chief Guest of Honour; Special Guest of Honour was Hon. Bolu Owotomo, Commissioner for Agriculture who was represented.

The Awardees were sons and daughters of Ijebu who have contributed to the development of Ijebuland. 

They included: Chief Dr. Olatokunbo Olukoya (Ijebu Man of the Year 2023-24); Prince Aderemi Ilori (Youth Development & Political Integration Category); SP Murphy Salami, (Security Man of the Year); Otunba Babatunde Banjoko (Ijebu Plank Merchant); Hon. Samsudeen Adekunle Lawal (Legislative Governance Category); Otunba (Mrs.) Adetoun Oduwole (Great Ambassador on Women Development Category); Chief Ganiyu Ayinde Abiola (Ijebu Entertainer Category); Hon. Habeeb Bankole Olugbile (BHO) (Most Growing Young Entrepreneur/Politician); Prince Adeleke Kuye (Social Integration & Youth Development Category) and Alaare FM Radio (Ijebu Radio of the Year Category).

Delivering the Chairman's address, Aare Dr. Adebayo Odunowo congratulated NATIONAL GLOBE PUBLISHING HOUSE through its Publisher, Chief Moses Oladipupo for his resilience, steadfast and entrepreneurship in hosting the continuous annual Awards Giving. He noted that some publishers who gave Awards have faded away because of the financial intention, but National Globe has been very consistent.

Speaking further on Awards, Otunba Odunowo said "Awards are given to people who have made their marks in their community and society at large. It's to recognise you and your achievements, to motivate you to do more for your community and the larger society. "

Admonishing the Awardees on Ijebuland, Aare Odunowo revealed, "Ijebu is a fantastic land, full of great potential and natural resources; moreover its people are resourceful, talented and well educated. All these attributes are what made Ijebuland the centre of commercial activities in the past; unfortunately, that glory has been lost today. 

Aare Odunowo implored all the awardees to be motivated to work hard and do more for Ijebuland. With the sea at Iwopin and Cargo Airport at Ilisan, we have the potential and capacity of making Ijebuland a hub for international trade. We must join hands together to return the glory of Ijebu because we are so blessed", he emphasized.

"Let's bring back the glory of Ijebuland", Aare Odunowo concluded.

He assisted in the presentation of Awards Plaques and Certificates to some of the new recipient of awards.

Hon. Bakare Omolola Olarewaju (BOO) through her representative Alhaji Gbenga Olugbile gave kudos to the Publisher, Chief Moses Oladipupo and extolled the virtues of the impacts of his Magazines in the State in general and Ogun East in particular.

She related her readiness to continue to represent her Constituency to her best abilities in order to bring more dividends of democracy through the making of laws in the State Assembly.

She seized the opportunity to express once again the support being accorded her since the inception of the tenth Assembly. And promised to be of assistance to the Media at any beck and call.

In his special address on the occasion, Chief Moses Oladipupo, the Publisher and Convener of the Awards Giving, thanked God, all the attendees, award recipients, invited guests, and friends of the Magazine for their presence despite their tight schedules.

He appreciated Aare Odunowo and other donors for the success of the events. He promised to always recognise the living while alive for their contributions to humanity rather than being recognised with post-humous Awards after they must have died as mostly practised these days.

Present were: Aare Dr. Adebayo Odunowo; Hon. Bakre Omolola Olarewaju (BOO) represented by Alhaji Gbenga Olugbile; Olubadan of Ibadan represented by his Olori; the family of Elegunshi; Olukoyas;Tobalase Regberegbe Akile-Ijebu; the Awardees and their families and friends; Mr. Titilayo Akibu (Efele); Bakinni the MC and Media Crew.