Egbe Unity Day Merit Awards Run the Gamut of Community Philanthropy–The Place of Toba Adebayo Belushi in History
By Ralph Omololu Agbana
As the full gamut of “Merit Awards and Chieftaincy Titles” was unveiled at the recently held Egbe Unity Day celebration, *RALPH OMOLOLU AGBANA* frames the contributions of figures like TOBA ADEBAYO BELUSHI, placing the successful businesman, politician philanthropist and accomplished professional, alongside other prominent EUD 2026 honorees.
The event, held in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State on Saturday, October 10, served as this year’s edition of the annual communal gathering hosted by the Elegbe of Egbe and Chairman Yagba West Traditional Council, Oba Ayodele Irukera (Ajaamoto II). It honoured individuals who have spearheaded philanthropic initiatives, provided educational or medical support, and funded basic infrastructure to drive the town’s development.
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The list extended to non-Egbe indigenes.
The living honorees are: Hon Ibikunle Idowu, Member, Kogi State House of Assembly (Yagba West State Constituency) for his acclaimed love for Egbe community and contributions to her development in cash and kind; Ms. Tayo Ann Leslie CEO/Founder of Tayo Leslie Foundation (TLF)–a quintessential example of local patriotism and community-led empowerment; Mrs Agnes Aduke Dada, accomplished educationist and retired director in the Kogi State Civil Service; Barrister Deji Aina, a senior member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who has consistently used his legal knowledge and practical experience to promote the course of the community–and wife, Suzan Tayo Ayodeji; Engr Toba Adebayo Belushi, former SSA to Kogi State Governor on Projects Monitoring, telecommunications expert and Project Director/Vice President, Standard Connection Ltd (details later); Mr Toyeeb Awe, a Technical Assistant on Investment, Policy and Strategy to Kwara State Governor (2012), farmer and agricultural export expert, currently, Chief Operating Officer, Mettle Energy and Gas Ltd;–a son of the soil, he has sustained father’s (late Air Commodore Frederick Sade Awe’s legacies, promoting empowerment of widows, unity and healthy sport competitions and interaction amongst Yagba West youths; Mr Olufemi Olusanya, Founder/Leader, Firstmade Foundation–focusing on education, youth and empowerment, food and elderly support, community sports and tourism; Comrade Jude Olumide Ogunjobi, Executive Secretary, Yagba West Local Government Education Authority and broadcaster, assidously seen to the construction of several classroom blocks and teachers welfare; Taiye James Alabi, a distinguished legal practitioner/ researcher, regulatory compliance expert and public administrator; Pharm Balogun Frederick, MD/CEO Botimo Pharmacy and Stores; Dr Benjamin Kakule Malikidogo, Medical Director, ECWA Hospital, Egbe; Hon Dele Olufemi, an educationist and founder of God’s Time Academy, Egbe; Mrs Oluwakemi Lydia Amoko, a professional teacher, pupils mentor and Principal, ECWA George Campion Academy, Egbe; Mrs Roseline Omolola Ekundayo, a seasoned caterer and member of the EUD Local Organizing Committee (LOC) from inception in 2014; Chief Oye Ologun, a retired banker, sales executive at Guinness Nigeria Plc, now CEO, Wisdomgate Properties, Wisdomgate Farms and Logun Industries Ltd.
The honours role had Engr Julius Abiodun Ajayi, a registered engineer with experiences at Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Warri, Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria (DIC, and National Livestock Projects Division, Mando, Kaduna and Reverend Elijah Yinka Babalola, a registered and licensed nurse (RN), registered psychiatrist nurse (RPN) and registered nurse tutor (RNT) and educator; Dr Joseph Olufemi Ogunnigbo, Chairman, LASUED Sports Advisory Council, is a distinguished academic, researcher, consultant and author whose professional interests cover fishery technology, food security, integrated faming systems; and Lt–Commander Yemi Elizabeth Joseph, a retired naval officer, administrator and professional, whose professionalism and exemplary service earned her numerous awards and medals during her military and professional careers.
*’Why We Honoured Toba Adebayo Belushi’*
Full name Toba Emmanuel Adebayo, popularly known as Belushi, is a trained Engr majoring in telecommunications and business interests extending to construction and ICT.
According to Egbemekun Development Association’s commemorative brochure, perhaps, due to space constraints, Engr Adebayo was honoured with the Merit Award during the 2026 Egbe Unity Day Celebration for touching lives of many widows across his ward (Ijalu/Odo-Owon), Yagba West Local Government Area, and “impacting the lives of the youths in several aspects”.
As the congratulatory messages continued to roll in, extending beyond his basic constituency, the award was well received by a broad spectrum of the global community who recognises Belushi’s remarkable commitment to community advancement, youth emancipation and humanitarian service.
Belushi is acclaimed for establishing himself as a prominent youth icon and a household name in Yagba West, Kogi West political circles and beyond, for his dedication to empowering young people and improving the welfare of the less privileged.
He founded and solely financed the FUNKE OMO-OBA Foundation, an initiative committed to reaching out to vulnerable members of society, supporting indigent students, empowering disadvantaged youths through trade and skill acquisition, and promoting vocational training opportunities.
Through the foundation, Belushi has demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development, providing opportunities for individuals to acquire practical skills, improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Merit Award therefore stands as a significant recognition of his efforts to promote community development, encourage youth participation and support initiatives that create positive and lasting social impact.
The honour also underscores the importance of celebrating individuals whose dedication, generosity and service continue to inspire others and contribute to the collective progress of their communities.
Indeed, the recognition is an honour well deserved, reflecting his passion for service, his loyalty to his roots and his determination to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people.
*The Man: Toba Emmanuel Adebayo*
Born in Egbe on October 24, 1973, Toba Adebayo hails from Ijalu clan, Egbe, Yagba West LGA, Kogi State.
A Matrillineal Prince, his late mother was a princess of the late Oba of Egbe (later christened Elegbe of Egbe), Oba Aina Owojaiye.
After his primary education, he attended the prestigious Titcombe College, Egbe, Federal University of Technology, Minna and Nasarawa State University where he bagged B.Eng (Electrical /Computer Engineering) and MBA (General Management), respectively.
He had his National Youth Corps Service (NYSC) with Intersystem Computers Ltd, Kano and later worked with Access Bank.
He is Consultant/Managing Partner, Flory–Struck Nig Ltd and Project Director/Vice President, Standard Connection Ltd.
He was Senior Special Assistant (Urban/Rural Infrastructure and Project Monitoring) to the Governor of Kogi State (2017–2019).
Political Philosophy
Toba Adebayo began his political journey as a youth during Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election. Following the military junta’s annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s victory, Adebayo actively joined the struggle to restore the popular mandate. Since those foundational years, he has remained a steadfast champion of democracy and an advocate for the common man, regardless of background or creed.
In attempting to align his core philosophy with strategic diplomacy toward adversaries, he has walked a fine line that subjects him to political misinterpretation.
He is happily married and the family is blessed with children.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 13th, 2026
