Dr Olayinka Oyegbile journalist, playwright and media scholar will give the maiden lecture at the Benjamin Adekunle Memorial Leadership Lecture.
The lecture to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of the late war hero, Brig-Gen Benjamin Maja Adekunle (popularly known as Black Scorpion), is to hold in Ogbomoso on September 18, 2024.
Gen Adekunle commanded the dreaded 3rd Marine Commando which captured most of the areas in the Southeast and Southsouth that were under the control of the rebel Biafra during the Nigeria Civil War from 1967-70. He died in Lagos on September 13, 2014, at 78.
The maiden annual lecture is to hold at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso under the theme: ‘Ogbomoso Military Gallantry and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’ Also to speak at the event are Prof Omotoye Olorode; and Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd). The Ogbomoso South and North Local Government Chairmen are the Special Guests/Hosts at the memorial lecture.
A statement on behalf of the family by Mrs Busola Olagunju (nee Adekunle) said the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, former Governor of Oyo State General Oladayo Popoola, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and a host of others are expected at the event.
The lecture on Septemebr 18, 2024, is part of a weeklong remembrance activities from Friday, September 13, 2024, with a private Anglican Service for family and close friends, followed by a Golf Kitty the following day on September 14, at Ogbomoso Recreation Club and a service at St. David’s Anglican Cathedral, Ogbomoso on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
After the service, dignitaries are to be hosted to a Commemorative Lunch by a retired Federal Permanent Secretary Sir Olusegun Adekunle, on behalf of the extended Adekunle family. Other prominent Ogbomoso personalities expected are Senator Fatai Buhari, the Bishop of Ogbomoso, and the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, Professor Razaq Kalilu.
To honour their late father’s philanthropic nature, the children and family of the late war hero plan a ‘Support our Vulnerable Initiative’, for Tuesday, September 17, where various forms of palliatives including food, clothing, school bags and exercise books will be distributed to over members of vulnerable groups such as widows, the blind and the aged at the Soun’s Palace.
The weeklong event is to be rounded off with a football match between the Black Scorpion FC and the Valiant Football team in a novelty match at Soun Stadium, Ogbomoso, on September 18th.
