Elulu Named Patron as ODA NEC Met at Mopa
By Ralph Omololu Agbana
●We’ll Never Allow ODA to Become Irrelevant—Oba Muyiwa Ibeun
●Prince Olusoji Olatunji Preaches Peace, Unity, Cooperation
Okun Development Association (ODA), the umbrella socio-cultural organisation of the Yoruba people in Kogi State yesterday, Friday 17th October, 2025 commenceed a 2-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Mopa, headquarters of Mopamuro Local Council, Kogi State, on a grand style.
This year’s NEC meeting, which ended today, Saturday, October 18th, successfully, according to the body’s National Social Secretary, Dr Ayo Moses, is the first of its kind to be held outside the traditional Okun political headquarters, Kabba.
He said ODA and Mopa comunity were locked in an epoch making history being the first time ODA NEC meeting will hold outside its Secretariat at Kabba and first time to have a traditional ruler as patron.
The delegation, led by ODA President-General, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi , was received at the sprawling royal residence of the Elulu of Mopa and Chairman, Mopamuro Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Muyiwa Ibeun, amidst fanfare. Highlight of the welcome party which had in attendance members the Mopamuro Traditional Council including the Balogun of Mopa, Oba Clarence Olafemi, a former acting Governor of Kogi State, was the investiture of Oba Ibeun as the patron of ODA.
Aside being the first traditional ruler to host the ODA, the association’s social secretary described Oba Ibeun as a strong pillar who has showed understanding and support towards the sustainability of ODA with a great deal of enthusiasm, since ascending the Elulu stool.
The event, which started at about 4pm, stretched to late evening with the arrival of successful businessman and philanthropist, Prince Olusoji Olatunji, and his entourage. His arrival was greeted with a loud ovation as the various Okun leaders present took turns to eulogize Olatunji for his numerous acts of philatropism, selfless service and contribution to the upliftment of Okunland and its people.
Olatunji founded Grosvenor Global Services Limited, a multi-sector enterprise with investments in oil and gas, marine logistics, aviation, security, mining, and infrastructure development.
The ODA has been in the forefront of the agelong agitation for the change to narratives of Okunland, a majority Yoruba ethnic group who found itself left behind in the socioeconomic and political equation of the North. Notably, the ODA agitates for the creation of Okun State and the elusive seat of the governor of Kogi State to be occupied by an Okunman, since the creation of Kogi State, 34 years ago, in the spirit of inclusion, justice and equity.
Speaking against this background and infrastructure decadence, noably failed federal roads infrastructure in most part of the Okun axis, Olatunji who also serves as Chairman/CEO of Tratun Energy Limited and Executive Director at Regions Oil and Gas expressed his dissatisfaction with the backwardness of Okun people in view of the past opportunities that came the way of the region when sons of Okunland occupied top federal posts, including four ministers, without commensurate dividends to show for it.
He called for a change of attitude from the pull-him-down syndrome targeting the progress and success of felow Okuns, a trait he noted were inimical to the overall progress of the area. Instead, he admonished his Okun compatriots to embrace unity, togetherness, and purpose as prerequisites for building a strong and united front towards taking their rightful place in the scheme of things both in the state and national politics. Describing the Okuns as a group of people known for their peaceful attribute, he appealed to the people to continue to support the government of the day at federal and Kogi State levels in preparation form their turn “when the time comes”.
“We will not get what we want by fighting. It is by negotiation. We’ll continue to negotiate with our brothers from the other sides, and I’m sure when the time comes, they will listen to us because of the support we have given to them”, he added.
Olatunji commended the ODA leadership for spearheading the march towards Okun renaissance, despite the difficulties here and there. However, he vowed that he would not close his eyes when his people are suffering and “never to play politics with the interest of Okunland”, with a pledge to support the umbrella ODA whenever called to duty.
ODA President-General, Akenson thanked the Elulu for the reception and for his positive disposition to the request of his team to host this year’s NEC, to which the monarch “responded immediately, positively and without hesitation”. Aside from its centrality and the accommodative and cooperative nature of Mopa people, he noted that over time, the community occupied an important position in the firmament of Okunland. He explained that ODA had continued to confront its challenges, importantly its finances, adding quickly that despite the challenges the group was able to forge ahead due to the selflessness and sacrifices of his colleagues in the NEC. He enthused that ODA branches in Abuja, Portharcourt, Lagos and in the Diaspora, including USA and other parts of the globe have managed to flourish.
“The people (ODA Executives) you’re seeing here today— including some that are not here here due to circumstances beyond their control— are here because they are passionate about the development of Okunland, passionate about the interest of their homeland. All of them work sacrificially without ever asking for anything in return,” he said.
In the visitors team were Akenson, Moses, Vice-president (North), Chief Adoga, General Secretary, Barrister Femi Oloruntoba, National Treasurer, Prince Dayo Akanmode, Deputy National Secretary, Elder DFO Kolawole, National Legal Adviser, Barrister Ologbonyo, Secretary, Elders Forum, Ambassador Rufus Ayenigba, Abuja Liaison Officer, Hon (Mrs) Bola Ampitan, Lokoja Liaison Officer, Mr Toyin John and respected Okun elder, Chief J.O Yusuf.
Also in attendance were Chairmen of Mopamuro and Ijumu Councils, Hon Ademola Bello and Hon Ibrahim Haruna, respectively; Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Mopa Development Association, Rev (Dr) Olawumi Daniyan and Chief Albert Oluseyi Olukotun;, Provost, Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Mopa, Dr M.K Ibrahim; members of Mopamuro Traditional Council, Mopa Elders Council, Mopa Women Council and Mopa Youth Council, among others.
*We’ll Never Allow ODA to Become Irrelevant—Elulu of Mopa*
Earlier, in his welcome and acceptance address upon his conferment with the ODA patronship, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun said: “ODA is very important to all Okuns. I can tell you categorically that ODA has brought a lot of sons and daughters of Okunland together. I got to know so many people in Okunland today through my engagement with ODA. And I have a testimony: one of our sons who is supposed to be on his way now, Prince Olusoji Olatunji, was telling me how he found his way back to Kogi, and he was telling me about the activities of the ODA in Warri where his father participated in ODA activities, and that’s how he got to know so much about Okun, and decided to come forward”
Oba Ibeun declared: “We will never allow this accociation to become irrelevant. Giving me the role of a patron, I know it is not just for the glamour. I’m very much aware that there’s work to be done. If you want to talk about development, Okun Development Association, the name implies so much, and if we truly want to live up to that name, we may not have no other means than to continue to support ODA”.
