OSPOLY DSA, Dr. Tope Abiola Bags Community Service Award

..As Rector Kehinde Alabi, OSCOTECH Chairman Diran Odeyemi, IDA congratulate him

The Dean of Students’ Affairs at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr. Tope Abiola, has been honoured with a prestigious award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to community development.

Dr. Abiola, who hails from Ilare-Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area and holds the traditional title of Odole-Owa of Ilare-Ijesa, received the award during the 2025 Otan-Ile Day Celebration at the weekend.

The award, presented by the Otan-Ile community, acknowledges his unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts, youth empowerment, and meaningful interventions that have positively impacted various communities across Osun State.

Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Abiola expressed profound gratitude to the organisers for deeming him worthy of the honour.

According to him, “I want to use this opportunity to thank God Almighty for His grace over my life. I also appreciate my family for giving me the support I need at all times.

“I equally want to thank the organisers of this year’s Otan-Ile Day for counting me worthy of this award.

“This honour has challenged me to continue doing more in the area of community service.”

He further reaffirmed his commitment to contributing meaningfully to society, stating that the recognition would serve as motivation to intensify his efforts in community development and youth support initiatives.

The Otan-Ile Day celebration is an annual socio- cultural event aimed at promoting unity, fostering development, and celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the progress of the community.

Dr. Abiola all along has been a community man whose media practice and academic works are majorly on Community Media, Community Service and Community Development which is a care area of Strategic Communication and Development Journalism.

While speaking at the occasion, the National President, Otan-Ile Development Association, Hon. Saliu Bamidele Bello charged Governor Ademola Adele to extend his developmental functions to Obokun Local Government.

He lamented the deplorable condition of Otan-Ile, Ilare-Ijesa Road and lack of teachers in schools in the state.

He noted that the only secondary school in the town did not have enough teachers.

Representative of the Governor at the event, Dr Oyerinde assured the people that Governor Adeleke would do everything possible to heed to the demands of the people.

The occasion was graced by members various political leaders and community leaders in Obokun Local Government areas of the State.

The Rector of Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Comrade Kehinde Alabi, Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology Esa-Oke, Prince Diran Odeyemi and President, Ilare Development Association, High Chief Busayo Adeniji in their different congratulatory messages to him described him as a committed, loyal, patriotic and dogged community leader, whose interest is always in community development.