Okun Development Association Holds NEC Meeting in Mopa, Confers Patronship on Oba Ibeun
The Okun Development Association (ODA) held its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on October 17-18, 2025, in Mopa, Kogi State, led by President-General Ambassador Akenson Rotimi.
The NEC conferred patronship on His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Muyiwa Ibeun, the Elulu of Mopa, commending his support and commitment to Okun nation’s development.
The ODA NEC made several resolutions, including:
– Frowning at the adoption of the revered Obaro title by individuals outside Okunland
– Rejecting the misuse of the Obaro title by communities and people outside Okunland
– Calling for a reversal of the Obaro title’s wrongful adoption
– Expressing concern over rising insecurity and crime in Okunland
– Assuring efforts to address security challenges through the Okun Security Trust Fund
– Commending Kogi State government’s efforts to tackle insecurity
– Expressing concern over environmental hazards from extractive activities in Okunland
– Calling on Okun people to support Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration
– Congratulating President Bola Tinubu on appointing Okun compatriots, including Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as INEC Chairman
– Thanking President Tinubu for recognizing Okun nation’s contributions
– Expressing concern over the deplorable Kabba-Aiyetoro-Egbe-Ilorin federal highway
– Encouraging Okun compatriots to register for INEC’s voter registration exercise.
The ODA NEC commended all sons and daughters of Okunland supporting its reform initiatives and called for more buy-in for ODA programs.
Details of the press statement:
OKUN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (ODA) NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
*Press Release*
The Okun Development Association (ODA), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, held its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Friday, October 17, and Saturday, 18, 2025, in Mopa, the headquarters of Mopa-Amuro LGA, Kogi State.
The NEC of ODA, led by the President-General, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, confered the patronship of the association on His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Muyiwa Ibeun, when the Elelulu of Mopa received the NEC in Council on Friday October 17, 2025.
HRM, Oba (Dr.) Muyiwa Ibeun, who hosted the NEC to a warm reception in his palatial Royal Court, which was supported by a full complement of the Elulu-in-Council, and the leadership of Mopa Development Association, noted that the ODA has, over the years, served as the unifying vehicle and voice for the people of Okunland. He commended the current NEC for its innovation, reform agenda, resilience, and commitment towards repositioning the association in the face of odds to move Okun nation forward.
Oba Ibeun noted with pride that the Okun nation is a first-rate ethnic nationality in Nigeria and that we stand tall everywhere we find ourselves across the world.
He made a pledge that as the Patron of the association, he would maximally leverage his vast network and contacts and commence aggressive mobilisation drive to help build a strong support base for the ODA. And that he would not spare anything at his disposal to enhance the capacity of the association to deliver on its mandate as the face of the Okun nation and the apex socio-political organisation that speaks for the people of Okunland
At the reception event, the renowned Ijumu-born philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji (Asiwaju of Ayere-Ijumu), who came on a courtesy call on the Elulu, which coincided with the ODA-NEC, seized the opportunity to engage with, and to appreciate the great work being done by the NEC.
Asiwaju Olatunji Olusoji harped on the need for the Okun nation to organise the people effectively to promote unity and love so as to engender sustainable development. He also admonished ODA NEC to remain resolute in working and consistently pushing for the growth of Okunland while providing the necessary checks and advice to those who are in positions of authority. He gave a commitment to partner with the ODA and that he will deplore his wealth, capacity, and social capital in support of the programs and activities of the association , and continue to contribute towards making life meaningful for our people.
*The following resolutions were made by the NEC:*
* Respect for, and preservation of the identy, cultural heritage, and traditional instutions of a people are undeniably important in fostering peaceful coexistence in inter-group relations, and to engender social harmony, particularly in our confluence state. In view of the foregoing, ODA frowns at the unpleasant action of adopting and confering the revered Obaro title, which is solely indigenous to the Okun-Yoruba of Kogi State, on individuals outside Okun land
* ODA rejects in strong terms the deliberate vexatious act of making a mockery of our cherished traditional title as it was recently done in the Central Senatorial District, which has no cultural link with Okunland.
* ODA calls for a reversal of the Obaro title, which is being wrongly adopted and used by communities and people outside the jurisdiction of Okunland.
* ODA notes with great concern, the unabating incidences of crime and criminalities and worsening insecurity situation in Okunland, which have taken a worrisome dimension and are making our people daily live in fear.
* ODA assures our people that the Okun Security Trust Fund, which was recently inaugurated, is working tirelessly to develop a solution framework and come up with strategic interventions to arrest the unpleasant security situation.
* ODA commends the concerted efforts of the Kogi State government in tackling the insecurity challenges across the state and calls for sustained momentum and for all hands to be on deck.
* ODA expresses concerns about the negative enviromental impact that extractive activities are currently generating in Okunland, particularly with regard to the manifest environmental hazards and the potential danger that unregulated activities of the operators pose for our people in the immediate future.
* ODA calls on all Okun people to continue to take issue of security seriously as everyone’s responsibility and support the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to enable him to deliver on his mandate.
* ODA commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for giving opportunities to Okun compatriots to serve the country in his administration. ODA is particularly delighted that all the Okun sons and daughters that he has called unto national service are worthy ambassadors of the Okun nation and are truly deserving of the considerations
* ODA thanks President Tinubu for the most recent of the appointments – that of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, whose nomination has been confirmed by the Senate as the new Chairman of INEC. We are confident that he will do Okun proud on this important national assignment.
* ODA calls on all political appointees, both at the state and national levels, to continue to make Okun nation proud through impeccable service as is chracteristic of the Okun nation.
* ODA commends all sons and daughters of Okunland who have supported the NEC in its ongoing reform initiatives and calls for more buy-in of every son and daughter of Okunland for ODA programs and Initiatives.
* ODA expresses great concern about the highly deplorable condition of the Kabba-Aiyetoro-Egbe-Ilorin federal highway, and calls on the government to help expedite action in fixing the road, to boost economic activities, reduce travel-time and enhance security of lives and property on that very important corridor, which presently has a cement factory located there.
* ODA enjoins all eligible Okun compatriots who have not registered to take opportunity of the ongoing INEC’s voter registration exercise to register and obtain their voter cards.
Signed:
Barrister Femi Oloruntoba, National Secretary, Okun Development Association (ODA)
October 19, 2025
