Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo, Afe Babalola, Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, Others to Receive AINPN Southwest 2026 Leadership Icon Award
IBADAN — The Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (AINPN), Southwest Chapter, has unveiled an impressive list of distinguished Nigerians to be honoured at its 2026 Southwest Leadership Icon Award, with the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), and renowned industrialist Chief Lateef Akande Bakare leading the recipients.
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, themed “Fostering Regional Prosperity: Economic and Security Integration in Southwest Nigeria,” is designed to celebrate outstanding leaders while providing a platform to deliberate on strategies for promoting economic growth and strengthening security across the Southwest region.
According to the organisers, the ceremony will feature a keynote lecture to be delivered by Prof. Emilolorun Ambrose Ayelari, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), University of Ibadan.
Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola (SAN) will serve as Chairman of the occasion, while the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour.
Two of Nigeria’s most revered traditional rulers have also been named Royal Fathers of the Day: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
AINPN Southwest stated that the 2026 honourees were carefully selected based on their remarkable contributions to governance, education, security, business, and community development.
Those billed for recognition include Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Honourable Minister of Interior; Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Founder of Afe Babalola University; Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, Ajirowa of Ijesaland and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Wire and Cable; Prof. Kayode Oyebode, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan; Chief Isaac Tapere, Chief Executive Officer of Tisco Nig. Ltd.; Dr. Oluwasegun Alade Musa, business mogul and industrialist; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, Founder of Agidigbo FM and Oyo State governorship aspirant; Comrade Ayobami Olusegun Adeogun, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State; Amb. Prince Sarajudeen Oladotun, President of Ajilosoro Foundation, Ile-Ife; Prof. Bayo Ilawole, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Local Government Service Commission; Dr. Kayode Akande, Founder of Glo FM; and Amb. Dr. Agboola Olaoluwa and Amb. Dr. (Mrs.) Agboola Olaoluwa, founders of Unique Fertility Help Consult, Ibadan.
Speaking on some of the award recipients, AINPN Southwest highlighted the outstanding achievements of three distinguished honourees.
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Honourable Minister of Interior, is being recognised for driving transformative reforms in Nigeria’s internal security architecture and immigration services. Since assuming office, the Minister has prioritised technology-driven solutions, improved service delivery in the passport and correctional systems, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration to enhance national security. His leadership has positioned the Ministry of Interior as a key driver of citizens’ welfare and public safety.
Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Founder of Afe Babalola University, is being honoured for his immense contributions to legal practice, education, and national development. As one of Nigeria’s foremost legal icons and philanthropists, Aare Babalola has built ABUAD into a world-class institution renowned for academic excellence, innovation, and high moral standards. His commitment to youth empowerment, agriculture, and infrastructure development has earned him widespread respect across the country.
Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, popularly known as LAB, is a prominent Nigerian chartered accountant, industrialist, and philanthropist. He serves as the Ajirowa of Ijesaland and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Wire and Cable. He made history as the youngest Nigerian to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. During his distinguished career, he served as a Quality Assurance Partner at Deloitte before retiring in 1991. He has held directorships at major institutions, including First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, and International Breweries Plc, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afromedia Plc. His exceptional leadership in the corporate sector and commitment to community development earned him a place among this year’s awardees.
A major highlight of the event will be the official launch of the AINPN Southwest Secretariat Project.
The association described the project as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening independent media practice and providing a permanent operational base for newspaper publishers in the Southwest.
The ceremony is expected to commence promptly at 12:00 noon and will feature the keynote lecture, award presentations, and fundraising for the secretariat project.
AINPN Southwest noted that the gathering will bring together policymakers, traditional rulers, academics, business leaders, and media stakeholders to deepen discussions on regional integration, security, and sustainable prosperity ahead of 2027.
