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Politician and elder statesman Chief Shuaib Afolabi Oyedokun has been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement and Peace Ambassador Award as he unveiled his memoir at 91.
The event, held at Aurora Event Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo, attracted political leaders, academics, traditional stakeholders and well-wishers who paid glowing tributes to the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for his contributions to politics, peacebuilding and public service.
The celebration also featured the unveiling of his memoir, Chief Shuaib Afolabi Oyedokun: A Peace Memoir, while the Council of American Peace Advocates (CAPA), a United States-based organisation, honoured him with its Lifetime Achievement and Peace Ambassador Award.
Organisers said proceeds from the launch of the memoir would support CAPA’s scholarship scheme for deserving Nigerian students and fund the establishment of the Oyedokun Reference Library Foundation to promote learning, research and knowledge preservation.
Speaking after receiving the award, Oyedokun expressed appreciation to CAPA, noting that the organisation had already awarded more than 500 scholarships to Nigerians.
He also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in Osun State through collaboration with partners, describing the initiative as one that would create opportunities for economic growth.
“We believe sincerely that we will have that opportunity soon. It will be branded in the name of some prominent individuals in Nigeria. I thank the organisation for what it has done and what it intends to do,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development, World Bridge University, Florida, Professor Olusegun Emmanuel Babalola, announced plans to attract agribusiness investments to Osun State.
According to him, the proposed investment would focus on bridging the knowledge gap between agriculture and agribusiness while creating value chains capable of boosting exports and employment.
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He said the university and its partners intended to establish a tractor assembly plant in Osun, improve sweet potato production for export, develop the state’s mushroom industry and train farmers to meet international standards.
Babalola said Oyedokun’s passion for the development of Osun’s agribusiness sector inspired the initiative.
“We are bringing investment in agribusiness, not just agriculture. Baba Oyedokun has consistently demonstrated his passion for developing Osun, and we decided to honour him by bringing this investment through him into the state,” he said.
Addressing concerns about insecurity, Babalola expressed optimism that the challenge would not derail the proposed investments, adding that processing facilities could initially be located in secure urban centres before expanding to rural communities.
Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who described Oyedokun as his political mentor, praised the celebrant’s enduring influence and leadership.
Oyinlola recalled that Oyedokun welcomed him into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2001, saying their relationship had remained cordial over the years.
He prayed for God to grant the elder statesman continued good health and wisdom, urging him to keep sharing his wealth of experience with younger generations.
The event concluded with tributes from family members, associates and supporters, who described Oyedokun as a committed advocate of peace, democracy and national development.
