By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Oluwafemi Abanikannda, an Associate Professor at Osun State University (Uniosun), have urged Nigerians to move away from ego and focus on service to others.
The duo spoke on Saturday at a civic recognition and reception organized by the Otan-Ayegbaju Progressive Union (OAPU) to celebrate outstanding career achievements.
Abanikannda, who serves as the Director of Academic Planning at Uniosun, delivered a keynote address titled “Roots, Reach, and Responsibility: What Our Origins Demand of Our Achievements.”
He advised attendees not to forget their origins, stating that the core responsibility of success is to turn accomplishments into help for others.
He noted that real success is not merely about accumulating wealth or accolades but about aligning achievements with service and purpose.
The Ooni advised award recipients not to relent in giving back to their communities, noting that the best place to be celebrated is at home.
“If you help your people to grow, it is worth more than money,” the Ooni said. “There are little things that you will do for the community that they will never forget.”
OAPU’s Global President, Adetunji Mosebolatan, explained that the community decided to celebrate its outstanding sons and daughters to appreciate their accomplishments and set a positive example for younger generations.
Dr. Segun Aina, Founding president of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, added that recognizing excellence sends a message that hard work and integrity matter, motivating aspiring professionals to realize that greatness is possible even from humble beginnings.