Honoured for over four decades of outstanding contributions to politics, public service, community development and nation-building.
Veteran politician and public administrator, Chief Waliu Jide Ojuko, has been honoured with the 2026 Gazelle News Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his more than four decades of distinguished service to politics, public administration, community development and humanity.
The prestigious award was presented on Wednesday at the 2026 Gazelle News Annual Public Lecture and Awards held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The ceremony attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, senior government officials, media executives and other distinguished guests who gathered to celebrate Nigerians whose contributions have made lasting impacts on national development.
The annual lecture, themed "Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership (PPP): The Gains, the Pains and the Prospects," featured the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare, as keynote speaker.
Delivering his address, Dare said sustainable national development must begin at the grassroots, stressing that the quality of education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, agriculture and other essential public services remains the true measure of good governance.
He argued that with increasing developmental challenges and limited public resources, governments must embrace Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as an effective model for mobilising private-sector innovation, community participation and institutional collaboration to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence.
The presidential aide also described the financial autonomy granted to Nigeria's 774 local government councils under President Bola Tinubu's administration as one of the country's most significant governance reforms, noting that it provides councils with greater opportunities to attract investment, strengthen development planning and deliver people-centred governance.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chief Ojuko, whose remarkable career has spanned public administration, politics, corporate leadership and grassroots development.
He was honoured alongside former Lagos West Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, elder statesman Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, all recognised for their enduring contributions to nation-building. Also honoured were the Olota of Ota, His Royal Majesty Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II, and TVC Director of News, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, who received Industrial Icon Awards.
Receiving the award to a standing ovation, Chief Ojuko described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring, dedicating it to everyone who had supported his decades-long journey of public service.
"I receive this honour with profound gratitude and a deep sense of humility," he said.
He thanked the Publisher of Gazelle News, Alhaji Musbau Razak, and the organising committee for the recognition, noting that awards of such significance carry greater value when they are based on careful assessment of an individual's contributions.
Chief Ojuko described the award as a celebration of dedication, sacrifice and selfless service, saying it belonged to everyone who had contributed to his journey in politics, public administration and community development.
He expressed hope that the recognition would inspire younger Nigerians to embrace integrity, hard work and service to humanity.
"My greatest joy is that this honour sends a strong message to the younger generation that commitment to humanity, integrity and genuine service will always leave a lasting legacy. I hope it inspires more Nigerians to dedicate themselves to building stronger communities and a better nation," he said.
The event was attended by a strong delegation that accompanied Chief Ojuko, including renowned advertising practitioner and former Senator Chief Kamardeen Akinola Odunsi, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State Chief Segun Adesegun, the Onibudo of Ayetoro-Itele, Oba Adewun Adeniji, Hon. Okikiola Oludegun, Hon. Onimokan Bakare, members of the Iganmode Grammar School Old Students Association, political associates, family members and friends.
Widely regarded as one of Ogun State's most accomplished political leaders and public affairs figures, Chief Waliu Jide Ojuko has built an illustrious career spanning the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, Ogun State Government, the private sector and several socio-cultural organisations.
His enduring contributions to public administration, political leadership, corporate governance and grassroots development have earned him widespread respect, cementing his reputation as a statesman whose influence continues to shape governance and community advancement in Ogun State and across Nigeria.
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