By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The profile club of Ondo, a community-based organization of accomplished individuals in Ondo kingdom, has marked its 31st anniversary with a lecture and award ceremony.

Delivering the keynote address, Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe of the Court of Appeal, charged members not to relent in their efforts at giving back to the community, saying he was excited to see that they are all outstanding in their respective fields.

Adegbehingbe tasked members to prioritize regular medical checkup to prevent some illnesses as they are mostly chief executives, top professionals and captains of industry with very busy schedules.

The club chancellor, Profile Wale Akinfolarin, called on members to rededicate themselves to the service of the community to engender impactful development.

Akinfolarin said, “I want you all to see the 31st anniversary celebration as a fantastic opportunity not only to take stock and rejoice in the continued sustenance of the club but also to look ahead and fashion out ways to improve on interpersonal relationships, and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of the club aimed at bringing development to Ondo kingdom”.

The club was founded in 1992 by a group of fourteen Ondo youths who were friends from their early school days.

The Vice chancellor of the club and former chancellor, Remigius Akinbinnu, described the club as a leading philanthropic and social organizations in Ondo kingdom.

Akinbinu reeled out achievements of the club which included various philanthropic work such as building of a ward at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) annex in Ondo city, empowerment for the less-privilege and hosting of Ekimogun Day Gala Night, which is the biggest social festival in Ondo kingdom, among many others.

Three outstanding individuals whose activities, efforts and work have great impact on the people of Ondo kingdom were admitted into the Profile Club Hall of Fame and received the Austin Adeya Leadership and Excellence Awards.

The awardees include Chief Sir Dr. Olabanji Akingbule, a philanthropist who grants yearly scholarship to over 100 indigent Ondo students, donated classroom blocks to Ondo Boys High School (OBHS) and lecture theaters to Wesley University and also constructed some roads within the city.

Others include a former Chief Judge of Ondo state, Justice Williams Akintoroye who spareheaded many groundbreaking reforms within the justice system in the state and Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, who is the founder of Nibanola Motherland Farms and Resorts Ondo and Special Adviser on Strategy, Political and Legislative matters to former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Reacting on behalf of the awardees, Justice Akintoroye, eulogized the Club for the good works they have done so far and for promoting unity and family values among Ondo people.

The ceremony was graced by eminent personalities such as Ekii of Iforeland, Oba Engr Raymond Abiodun Akinyele, Profile Club Patron, Dr Akinsefunmi, Club members Hon. Justice Sylvester Femi Akinbinu, Petroleum Economist Olakanmi Ayodeji, Olubodun Ogunyankin,  Dr. Richardson Akinshipe, Professor Yemi Akinkoye Chairman, Planning Committee, as well as spouses of club members who entertained guests with a rendition of Christmas carol songs.