Date: 2016-12-31

The Kwara Tabloid has this year identified and awarded fourteen distinguished Kwarans as heroes and icons of Kwara development. The awards were given to Kwaran "who shape, can shape or who have shaped the lives of Kwara and her citizens".

The list of those found worthy of award, drawn from diverse spheres of live, include the late Babatunde Kasum, a politician and many times public servant; Lukuman Mustapha, regional director, FCMB Abuja and presently floating an ICT Centre that includes a radio station, Sobi FM; and Bukola Babalola, a US based bussiness tycoon and princess from Esie. Others are Elder Oyin Zubair, politician and community leader; Barr Salman Jawondo, a prominent lawyer and politician; Dr Dale Ogunbayo from Health TV Africa. The rest are Prof Christopher Odetunde, from KWASU; Dr Abdulrashedd Yusuf, Uniabuja; Chief Emmanuel Oni, Mr OlayemiAdegoke, Comrade Bisi Fakayode and Col Ademola Lawal(rtd).

The ceremony was chaired by Col Theophilus Bamigboye (rtd) assisted by Barr Kunle Sulyman, Alh Ganyu Galadima, ACPN presidential candidatde at 2015 election, Hajia Kuburat Babatunde Kasskmm Hajia Memuna Jimanda. Highlights of the ceremony include goodwill messages from a representative of the Minister of Information and Culture, and fund raising raising for Jamiu the Drummer Boy.

Jamiu became blind as a result of fracas he had with some hoodlums at his village. The incident happened in 2004 and attracted attention of the then governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, who paid his medical expenses. According to the Kwara Tabloid Team Jamiu, a drummer, needs further assistance for him to live a meaningful life. That was the motivation for presenting him before the gathering. Jamiu briefly displayed his dexterity with the talking drum to the admiration of the guests at the occasion. Such personalities includes Alh. Raheem Adedoyin, Mr. Mosud Adebimpe former CPS, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu CEO MMCC Group, Mr Jide Fashikun of Gongnews, Mr Taofik Abdulkareem of Plat Technologies among others.