An Òkehò-born medical doctor, Dr. Festus Oluseye Babarinde, has been honoured with the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award in the United States, in recognition of a lifetime of volunteerism, public service, and unwavering commitment to underserved communities across Nigeria and the diaspora.
With this, Dr Festus Babarinde has joined the noble list of international award-winning professionals from Okeho.
Babarinde received the award at the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Ceremony, held at the Chevy Chase Auditorium, Johns Hopkins Hospital, on the East Baltimore campus, U.S.
The yearly event celebrates individuals whose work reflects the ideals of service, equity, compassion, and social justice championed by the late American civil rights icon.
He was honoured alongside professors and senior research fellows from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr. Festus Oluseye Babarinde is one of the twin sons of Mr. Joshua and Mrs. Janet Babarinde. Mr. Joshua Babarinde is the son of Baba Olori and Iya Mokan (who used to sell akara), who are living at Lafihan. They are from Alasia Legbeji Compound, Isia Okeho.
So, Dr Babarinde is the grandson of the popular Iya Mokan, and his parents are a retired principal and a Headmistress who are living in Òkehò.
Dr. Babarinde attended Monilola Nursery and Primary School, Òkehò. He had his secondary education at the School of Science, Òkehò, before he proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he studied Medicine.
He completed his training in 2017. His commitment to service had earlier earned him national recognition as a recipient of the NYSC Presidential Award for the 2019/2020 service year, an honour reserved for corps members who demonstrate exceptional dedication and community impact.
Currently an intern at the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Centre (JHHCMC) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Babarinde’s recognition is rooted in years of impactful service that predate his relocation to the U.S.
