SMOTY 2025: Families Jubilate as Silverbird Honours Adeyemi, Lar, Iwuanyanwu Posthumously
Families of the late Lamidi Adeyemi III, Solomon Lar and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu were filled with joy on Sunday night as the trio received posthumous honours at the 2025 Silverbird Man of the Year Awards.
The awards were presented during the ceremony organised by the Silverbird Group at the Eko Hotel and Suites. 
Family of late Alaafin of Oyo
Family members and representatives who received the awards on behalf of the deceased described the recognition as a fitting tribute to their legacies of leadership, service and national development.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Lar family, former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, commended the organisers for honouring the memory of the late elder statesman.
Lalong described Lar as a trailblazer whose leadership laid the foundation for the development of Plateau State.
He said the award reflected the values the late politician stood for during his lifetime, adding that the honour evoked nostalgia about the kind of governance Lar represented.
According to him, contemporary political leaders should emulate the principles of the first civilian governor of Plateau State.
Similarly, family members of the late Alaafin of Oyo reflected on his life and reign, noting that he devoted decades to preserving and promoting Yoruba history, culture and tradition.
Edwin Clark”s family receiving posthumous award
They described the revered monarch as a custodian of Yoruba heritage whose contributions to cultural preservation made him deserving of the posthumous honour.
The family also commended the Silverbird Group for recognising the legacy of the late monarch.
Members of the Iwuanyanwu family also expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the late businessman, publisher and political leader as a detribalised Nigerian who committed his life to national unity and development.
According to the family, the award celebrates the life of an icon and philanthropist who dedicated his energy to advancing the interests of his people and the nation.
Iwuanyawu” a family receiving posthumous award
Also honoured posthumously at the event was Niger Delta leader and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in recognition of his decades of service to Nigeria.
