The Chief Executive Officer, CEO Aberekoti Nigeria Limited, Engr Teslim Owonikoko has shown appreciation to the National Old Students Association of Iseyin District Grammar School(IDGS) over conferment of posthumous meritorious award on his father and late renowned community leader, Alhaji Kazeem Omosalewa Owonikoko.
Engr Teslim who received the award on behalf of late awardee and Iseyin-born politician, expressed his gratitude to IDGS Alumni over recognition of his father’s efforts towards the development of the citadel of academic excellence.
While in an exclusive interaction with acrossnigerianews.com, the award’s recipient disclosed that it was just last week he had knowledge that the prestigious award would be conferred on his late father and he felt joyous for such honourary recognition.
On memory lane, he said late Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko was the Chairman, Iseyin District Council, when the idea of IDGS’ creation was initiated in early 1960 and he had no doubt contributed relentlessly to makesure that the school came to fruition.
He said, aside late Owonikoko being a notable community leader, he was also an ex-member of Western House of Assembly, who prioritised the well being of the constituents and general betterment of the constituency.
On advice to politicians, Engr Teslim advised the public office holders and entire politicians not to see positions as lofty or plumb ways of making money.
He added that, the parliamentarians of those days did not collect salaries but only depended on sitting allowances to upkeep themselves and others around them.
He hinted that if we could turn the clock’s hands back and check the books of those days, we would realise that those politicians prioritised masses’ betterment without minding personal material gains.
To cap it all, he hinted that the best of a person is not measured by grammatical fluency, and appearance but smiles that he/she is able to bring to people’s cheeks.
He enjoined people to live meaningful and purposeful life that would birth unprecedented feats for unborn generations to hear and trace.
On behalf of Owonikokos, Engr Teslim appreciated IDGS’ Alumni and however advised the current and subsequent students to do well in their academic studies, so that they would subsequently give back to their alma mater.
