says APC Victory In 2027 Is Non-Negotiable
By Salam Saheed
Engineer and philanthropist, Tosin Lateef Kolade, has urged young people to discover their potential, seek guidance from credible mentors and remain committed to their aspirations, stressing that mentorship and discipline are essential to personal growth and societal development.
He gave the advice at a civic reception organised to honour nine distinguished personalities for their contributions to philanthropy, education, law, politics and community development in Ago-Are, Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The event, organised by the Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Ago-Are Land, was held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Mopelola Adupe Event Centre, along Ago-Are–Saki Road.
Speaking on the theme, “Mentoring the Next Generations Icons as Role Models,”Kolade urged young people to identify their strengths and cultivate relationships with experienced individuals who could provide guidance, encouragement and direction in their chosen fields.
He also called on teachers and other educational stakeholders to encourage students to develop good character, pursue excellence and become worthy ambassadors of their families, schools and communities.
The engineer further urged members of the public to remain focused and committed to their goals, noting that perseverance and determination were important to achieving success in life.
Kolade, who holds professional qualifications including PMI-PMP, MNSE, MNICE, COREN Registered Engineer, MNISafetyE, MNifEngM and an MBA, was honoured as a Philanthropist Icon at the reception.
Other awardees were Dr Bello Seidu Adebayo, also recognised as a Philanthropist Icon; Prof. Adedokun Kareem Adeyimika, an Academic Icon; Taiwo Hassan Azeez, SAN, a Legal Icon; and Alhaja Bello Adijat Adenihun, an Academic Icon.
Also honoured were Mrs Saheed Alawiye Jumoke Aminat and Alhaji Salaudeen Ishaq Adeyemi, both recognised as Academic Icons; Alhaji Chief Adedokun Ibrahim Adeniyi, a Philanthropist Icon; and Hon. Alhaji Alade Bashir Olumuyiwa, a Political Icon.
The reception was hosted by the Grand Chief Imam of Ago-Are Land, Fadilatu Shaykh Sulayman Adedeji. Mallam Azeez Ismaheel A. chaired the planning committee, while Mustapha Kazeem I.MNI/MIPR served as its secretary.
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has commended Kolade, popularly known as Tosin Awodi-Oke, for executing a borehole project in Tede, describing the intervention as a contribution towards improving access to potable water at the grassroots.
Alli gave the commendation during the commissioning of the project, which was executed by Kolade, a prominent APC member, to provide relief to residents of the community.
The APC governorship candidate also pledged to pursue the revival of the abandoned water project under the present administration if elected, stressing the need for sustainable interventions to address water shortages across the state.
Speaking at the event, Awodi-Oke said the provision of potable water remained essential to public health and human welfare, expressing satisfaction that the project would help make life more comfortable for its beneficiaries.
He said the borehole initiative was part of his continued efforts to support communities and improve residents’ access to basic amenities, adding that the intervention was not driven by partisan considerations.
Awodi-Oke maintained that the project was not his first community development intervention, assuring residents that he would continue to support them, including in efforts to maintain the facility and ensure its sustainability.
He further expressed optimism that an APC-led administration in Oyo State after the 2027 elections would undertake similar projects to improve living conditions across the state.
The engineer also criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that its policies had weakened local government administration and undermined effective governance at the grassroots.
He appealed to residents and party supporters to support Alli’s governorship ambition in the 2027 election, describing the APC’s quest for victory as non-negotiable.