where about ten (10) guests will sit round a mighty table dressed in white cover.
The gala programme featured the welcome remarks by the organizers which attracted commendations. They lift every voice by the audience, the video tributes to the heroes and heroines of the sit in-movement and black activists, the special tributes to outstanding personalities in the struggle, official greetings and finally, the invocations. Speakers at the Gala nite included Rev. Jesse Jackson and others.
The climax of the event was the award ceremony. It brought out the best of the colouful event as ten distinguished personalities were honoured.
The sit in-participants award went to Augusta Thomas while the Lifetime Community Award was given to Fred Sr & Janol Whitfield.
The third and most outstanding awardee was His Majesty, Oba Shotobi, who was the cynosure of all eyes. Dr. Edward Fort, the lecturer who taught Kabiru in his
university years and now a Chancellor Emeritus and Vice Chancellor of A&T State University, presented the Vanguard Award to the kabiyesi.
After a brief speech, in which Dr. Fort expressed his delight for being given the opportunity to present the award to his former student, Kabiyesi Shotobi received the award from him with a rousing ovation.
Kabiyesi’s acceptance speech was full of profound gratitude to his mentor, Chief (Dr.) Brown, who sponsored him and gave him the opportunity to realise his ambition.
The monarch thanked North American University for empowering him with quality education, which today is being put into the service of Ikorodu community. He thanked the school authorities and said that the Americans dream has come to reality in his (Shotobi) life.
With joy and pride, the Kabiyesi took photos with his ex-lecturer and with other dignitaries at the event.
Other recipients of the award include famous female broadcaster, Opral Winfrey who bagged Alston/Jones International Civil and Human Rights Award; Congress woman Alima Adama who got Traiblazer Award; Robert Bob Brown who was honoured with Unsung Hero Award, Congressman John Lewis who got International Historic Legend Award among others.
The event ended late in the night amidst explosion of joy and satisfaction with the achievements of the blacks in the great American nation.
For Kabiyesi Shotobi, two honours in our single day in faraway America, he was more than excited and exalted as he and his subjects drove home for a night rest.
