In accordance with The Governor Seyi Makinde People’s Oriented Governance, in a season defined by love, generosity, and reflection, Hon. Olusoji Olusegun Alade, fondly known as Hon. SOJ, has distinguished himself as a model of people-focused leadership through a historic Christmas outreach initiative in Ibadan North Local Government which occured on Tuesday, 23rd of December, 2025.
An Ibadan-born businessman, respected socialite, and well-known philanthropist, Hon. SOJ is also the Social Secretary of the prestigious Ọmọ Aj’òrosùn Club, Ibadan, as well as a stalwart and key stakeholder of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North. Over the years, he has earned a reputation for quiet generosity, grassroots engagement, and unwavering loyalty to the wellbeing of the people.
This year’s festive outreach, however, marks a new high point, not just for Hon. SOJ, but for community giving in Ibadan North as a whole.
Ahead of the Christmas season, Hon. SOJ personally consulted all twelve PDP ward chairmen in Ibadan North Local Government, tasking them with a clear and deliberate mandate: the outreach must serve the people directly. The instruction was firm and unambiguous, only citizens of the wards were to be catered for, regardless of party affiliation, status, or connections. The focus was on registered voters, residents, and ordinary citizens who genuinely needed support during the festive period.
What followed was nothing short of historic.
For the first time ever in the history of Ibadan North Local Government, all wards were visited within a single day in a coordinated, well-structured, and peaceful outreach programme. From the early hours of the day until its conclusion, teams moved across the local government, ensuring that no ward was left out and no community forgotten.
The impact was immediate and visible. From Wards 1 through 12, residents expressed gratitude not just for the material support received, but for the dignity and fairness with which the exercise was conducted. There were no exclusions, no preferential treatments, and no political gatekeeping; only a shared sense of inclusion and community.
By deliberately prioritising citizenship over partisanship, Hon. SOJ sent a powerful message: that leadership is about service, and politics, at its best, is about people. This approach has earned him widespread commendation across Ibadan North, with many describing the initiative as a benchmark for future community engagement.
Beyond philanthropy and politics, Hon. SOJ’s influence also extends into the cultural sphere. In recognition of his unwavering commitment to the promotion, preservation, and celebration of indigenous heritage, he has been honoured as the 2025 Champion of Ibadan Culture. This prestigious recognition affirms his deep-rooted connection to Ibadan traditions, values, and identity, and underscores his role as a cultural ambassador who understands that a people’s strength lies in their history and shared values.
Taken together, Hon. SOJ’s Christmas outreach and cultural recognition paint the picture of a leader who is locally grounded, culturally conscious, and genuinely people-oriented. His actions demonstrate that meaningful leadership does not wait for elections or official appointments, it shows up when the people need it most.
As the Christmas season unfolds, the residents of Ibadan North will remember this moment not just as an act of seasonal charity, but as a defining example of inclusive leadership. In setting a new record and centring the people above all else, Hon. Olusoji Olusegun Alade (Hon. SOJ) has once again reaffirmed his place as a true son of Ibadan and a servant of the people.
