TheGazelleNews will honour Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun and Chief Waliu Ojuko with Lifetime Achievement Awards at its 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Awards ceremony in Lagos
TheGazelleNews Honours Ganiyu Solomon, Olorunfumi Bashorun and Waliu Ojuko with Lifetime Achievement Awards
TheGazelleNews has announced that three distinguished political figures—Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfumi Bashorun and Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko—will receive its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their enduring contributions to democracy, governance and public service in Nigeria.
The trio will be honoured during the newspaper’s 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Awards Ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The event will also feature a public lecture themed, “Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, the Pains, the Prospects,” to be delivered by Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Mrs Adetutu Audu-Adebisi, described the Lifetime Achievement Award as the flagship recognition reserved for political leaders who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service and meaningful contributions to democratic development and governance in Nigeria.
“Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the maiden award in 2022 while the Chairman of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi won it in 2024.
“This year we are honouring three distinguished Nigerians who have played major roles in governance and sustenance of democracy in the country,” Mrs Audu-Adebisi said.
Popularly known as GOS, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon has built a formidable reputation as one of Lagos’ most influential grassroots politicians. His political journey has been marked by years of service and close connection with ordinary people. He served as Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government before representing Mushin Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. He later represented Lagos West Senatorial District from 2007 to 2015, rising to become Minority Whip of the Senate. A respected Rotarian and member of the Governance Advisory Council, Solomon currently serves as the All Progressives Congress apex leader in Mushin, overseeing both federal and state political structures within the area.
Also billed for the honour is elder statesman and veteran politician, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfumi Bashorun, who made history as the first Secretary to the Lagos State Government under the administration of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande between 1979 and 1983. A former banker and influential political strategist, Bashorun played a prominent role during the aborted Third Republic. As a leading member of the Social Democratic Party, he was instrumental in the emergence of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as the party’s presidential candidate in Jos and remained a frontline figure in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate. He is currently a member of the influential Governance Advisory Council.
Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko, another recipient of the award, is widely regarded as one of the most respected Awori political leaders. Born in Ota, Ogun State, Ojuko distinguished himself in both the Ogun and Lagos State civil services before transitioning into politics. His public service career includes appointments as Director at Gateway Hotels during the administration of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Tourism under former Governor Olusegun Osoba, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun. He currently serves as Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Ojuko also occupies several traditional and socio-cultural leadership positions, including Olotu of Ota Aworiland, Balogun of Ojokoro in Lagos, President of Iganmode Club, Ota, and National President of the Iganmode Grammar School Old Students Association. He is also a member of both Abeokuta Sports Club and Lagos Island Club.
By honouring Solomon, Bashorun and Ojuko, TheGazelleNews is celebrating decades of service, political leadership and unwavering commitment to democratic governance, recognising three men whose careers have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape.
