Newton Anthony
Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) has reiterated its call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, without delay, appoint Comrade Awa Bamiji, who they described as rare bred among his contemporaries in the civil societies, into his cabinet.
Making the call yesterday in Ibadan during this year’s edition of the award ceremony for deserving sons and daughters of Yoruba heritage and other ethnic nationalities who have identified with the course of Odiduwa lineage, the group insists that such a gesture from the President will not only be a reward for over three decades of undiluted loyalty but also serve as a motivation to others. 
President Tinubu was represented by a veteran Nollywood Actor, Chief Lere Paimo, while a media guru, Elder (Dr) Taye Ayorinde, Baale of Ekotedo, chaired the occasion on behalf of his friend, General Buba Marwa (Rtd).
The event, which was a gathering of who is who in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, also witnessed the conferment of awards to fourteen (14) individuals.
In no particular order, the following individuals were given awards:
- Chief Frank Ovie Kokori
Ekun Oko Babangida ati Abasha
- Dokita Omololu Olunloyo
Ogo Ibadan
- Oba (Dokita) Asofin Agba Mahud Olalekan Alli Okunmade Balogun II
Olubadan Ti Ile Ibadan
Amin Isokan Odu’a
- Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II Ooni Ti Ile – Ife
Amin Isokan Odu’a
- Alhaji Tanko Yakassai
Former Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)
Ore Imule Yoruba
- Alhaji Yerima Shettima
President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum
Ilumoka Ajaf’eto Ilu
- Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dukobo, a former Niger Delta Militant Leader
Aborid’epenu Ti Ile Odu’a
- Agba – Ijo (Dokita) Taye Ayorinde
Baale Ekotedo
Awokose Odo Odu’a
- Onimon Ero Babatunde Fashola
Eni Aye Nfe Ti Ile Odu’a
- Onimon Ero Dotun Sanusi
Ore Mekunnu Ti Ile Odu’a
- Amofin Oladosu Oladipo
Aworawo Ti Ile Odu’a
- Ojogbon (Iya Afin) Bolanle Awe
Iyaniwura Ti Ile Odu’a
- Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III
Amin Iranti Eni si Rere l’eyin Iku
- Comrade Ola Oni
Amin Iranti Eni si Rere l’eyin Iku
23rd September of every year was specially chosen as it was the date in 2000 when the first World Yoruba Congress was held at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan under the leadership of the late Senator Abraham Adesanya, the then Leader of Afenifere. 
The event is also organised partly in commemoration of the end of 16 years of intra-ethnic war among Yorubas which formally came to an end with the signing of a peace treaty at Okemesi, in present-day Ekiti State.
Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) was thereafter founded inside Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, in October 2001, with the blessing of prominent Yoruba sons and daughters both in Afenifere and Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).
The August event in that year had in attendance General Buba Marwa (Rtd) and then sitting governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State.
During the event last year, the group endorsed the candidature of Mr Tinubu, who later won the presidential election; and the three All Progressives Congress (APC) Southwest governorship candidates including that of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun and Senator Teslim Folarin, respectively.
Also, at the event last year, the “African Man of the Century Odu’a Award” was bestowed on President Tinubu
Meanwhile, at the 2023 edition of the glamorous event, aside from the awardees, other prominent personalities in attendance include Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola – Oni, Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Adesida; Comrade Jare Ajayi, Publicity Secretary of Afenifere; Chief (Mrs) J.T Raimi Julianah Titilola, Asiwaju Oloja -General of Oyo State; Olubadan of Ibadanland and Ooni of Ife were jointly represented by Olubadan’s daughter, Princess Oyebunmi Oladepo (a.k.a Orekelewa); and Dr Omolulo Olunloyo.
Others include Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe, Prof Ariyo Sabitu Olagoke, JP; Hon Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh), who declared a donation of N50,000.
The event witnessed a massive turnout of the leaders of various Tinubu support groups across the country out of whom Dr Musa Alongbija of Tinubu Legacy Forum, was specially recognised.
Eighteen-Eleven Media