CCII honours CEO of Accessible Publishers Gbadega Adedapo as icon of Ibadan heritage
By OLUFEMI OGUNYEJO
“Ibadan gbà onílẹ̀, ó gbà àlejò…” — Ibadan welcomes the indigene and embraces the visitor.
That timeless saying came alive on Sunday, April 12 as the ancient city of Ibadan turned its celebrated heritage into living reality, conferring one of its most culturally symbolic honours on a man whose contributions have steadily shaped its modern story.
At the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi Ape — a venue where contemporary elegance meets ancestral pride — anticipation filled the air as dignitaries, traditional leaders, policymakers, scholars, and cultural custodians gathered in a spectacle of prestige and tradition.
Among the 70 distinguished individuals honoured that day, one recognition stood out for its cultural depth and symbolic meaning.
Gbadega Adedapo, a respected figure in Nigeria’s publishing industry, was decorated with the prestigious Icon of Ibadan Heritage Award by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
In Ibadan, a city where lineage is revered and ancestry deeply respected, the honour carried a powerful message that stretched beyond bloodlines.
It reaffirmed Ibadan’s identity not only as a custodian of heritage, but also as a city that celebrates merit — a place where belonging is defined not just by origin, but by contribution.
Though not physically present, the symbolic influence of Ibadan’s foremost leaders added weight to the moment.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, whose administration represents the city’s progressive aspirations, and Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), the revered monarch and former governor, stood as enduring symbols of Ibadan’s fusion of tradition and modern governance.
Together, they represent the living soul of Ibadan — a city where history, leadership, and cultural continuity meet. It was within this powerful convergence that the honour bestowed on Adedapo found its deepest meaning.
Adedapo is widely recognised as a visionary in Nigeria’s educational publishing landscape.
As managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Accessible Publishers Ltd, he has played a pivotal role in advancing educational publishing, expanding access to learning materials, and promoting quality content across schools and institutions.
With academic roots in computer science and a master of business administration, Adedapo has built a career that bridges technology and publishing — two sectors central to modern knowledge development.
His work reflects a sustained commitment to education, innovation, and the wider distribution of learning resources.
Beyond corporate achievements, his influence extends into academic and social development.
Through initiatives that support students, educators, and institutions, his contributions have strengthened Nigeria’s educational framework and fostered intellectual growth.
For Ibadan to extend its revered cultural recognition beyond ancestral lines is to reaffirm a philosophy that defines the city — excellence belongs to all who contribute meaningfully to its growth.
In Adedapo, Ibadan celebrated not only a professional success story, but a man whose investments in knowledge, enterprise, and community development have become part of its living legacy.
Behind the landmark recognition stands the CCII, under the leadership of Sulaiman Ajewole, whose administration continues to champion cultural preservation while embracing progressive inclusion.
The success of the ceremony itself reflected careful planning and collaboration. The Ibadan cultural festival planning committee, led by Moshood Akere, worked alongside the award day sub-committee chaired by Bayo Oyeleke to deliver an event that blended tradition with elegance.
Supporting the effort were Monsurat Toyin Oyebola (vice-chairman), Saheed Oyebamiji (secretary), Sarat Jimoh (assistant secretary), and Ismail Oyinlola, whose coordination ensured the day unfolded without flaw.
Yet beyond the applause and ceremony, the deeper meaning of the moment endures.
This was more than an award — it was a cultural embrace.
A symbolic inscription into Ibadan’s unfolding history. A declaration that legacy is not limited by ancestry, but expanded through impact.
In honouring Adedapo, Ibadan celebrated not just an individual, but a philosophy — one rooted in excellence, enterprise, and enduring relevance.
As the ceremony came to a close and the echoes of celebration lingered, one truth resonated through the ancient city’s hills and history.
In Ibadan — the city of warriors and wisdom — greatness is measured not by where one comes from, but by what one builds, what one contributes, and what one leaves behind.
