The Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, popularly known as Onala, has been honoured with the Best Performing Local Government Chairman Award for the 2025/2026 year, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, people-oriented governance and developmental strides across Ibadan North Local Government.
The prestigious award was presented to Olufade on Saturday, August 29, 2026, by the Ebira People’s Community, Ibadan Chapter, during the community’s 2026 Ebira Day celebration and fundraising ceremony for the proposed construction of an Ebira House in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The colourful event, held at Cultural Centre Hall 2, Mokola, Ibadan, attracted prominent traditional rulers, business moguls, religious leaders, political gladiators and other distinguished personalities from within and outside the Ebira community.
Representing the Executive Chairman at the occasion, the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Hon. Hamdy Mustapha, received the award on his behalf.
While presenting the honour, the Odeyi-Ohinoyi Anebira of Oyo State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ambassador Chief Lamidi Aliu Ozi Balogun, described Olufade as a young, brilliant, vibrant and respectful leader, whom he identified as the most outstanding local government chairman in Nigeria.
The traditional ruler said the award was well deserved, stressing that the tremendous achievements recorded by Olufade in less than three years in office were visible and impactful across Ibadan North Local Government.
According to him, Olufade’s accomplishments are such that they are “feasible even to the blind,” underscoring the widespread impact of the chairman’s developmental initiatives.
He particularly commended Olufade’s accommodating and inclusive system of governance, describing him as a leader who has demonstrated love and respect for people from different ethnic backgrounds.
The monarch noted that the Ibadan North Chairman is not a tribal bigot, stressing that his office remains open to everyone irrespective of tribe, while his developmental impact cuts across communities within the local government.
He said the Ebira community was proud of Olufade’s achievements and considered him worthy of the recognition.
The royal father urged the chairman to remain committed to his people-oriented and masses-focused governance, assuring him of the continued goodwill of the Ebira community.
Responding, Hon. Hamdy Mustapha, who received the award on behalf of Olufade, expressed appreciation to the Ebira People’s Community for recognising and celebrating the chairman’s efforts.
Mustapha said the award would serve as an additional motivation for the administration to do more for the people, noting that “the reward for hard work is more work.”
He assured the gathering that the Olufade administration would continue to ensure that the dividends of democracy reached residents across Ibadan North Local Government, irrespective of their tribe, tongue or religious differences.
In a major demonstration of support for the Ebira community’s development initiative, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, through his representative, announced a ₦1 million donation as the contribution of Ibadan North Local Government towards the proposed ₦200 million fundraising target for the construction of Ebira House in Ibadan.
The gesture further underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting communities and promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and inclusiveness among the diverse ethnic groups residing within Ibadan North.
The chairman’s delegation to the event also included Hon. Adewumi Adeagbo, Supervisory Councillor for Special Duties; Hon. Olowolayemo, Supervisory Councillor for Works; and Hon. Kazeem Ibuowo, Special Assistant to the Chairman.
The latest recognition adds to the growing commendations for the Olufade administration, particularly its emphasis on infrastructure, social interventions, community development, security, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and inclusive governance.
For the Ebira community, the award was not merely a recognition of political leadership, but an affirmation of what it described as Olufade’s visible commitment to good governance and his ability to accommodate and serve residents beyond ethnic, religious and political boundaries.
With the honour and the accompanying ₦1 million contribution to the Ebira House project, the Olufade administration has once again reaffirmed its message of inclusive leadership, community partnership and service to all residents of Ibadan North.
