PRESS RELEASE
OKUN SUMMIT ON UNITY AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT
Determined to jealously guard the peace and security of its mandate area and pull her economy out of the woods, the Okun Development Initiative, ODI, in collaboration with the umbrella Okun Development Association, ODA, has concluded plans for the second edition of the *Okun Summit* series. This was announced at the weekend in a Press Release by the media committee of the Summit.
The two-day event themed *Okun Unity: The Power of One Voice, The Strength of Many Hands,* is scheduled to hold on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st of May at the *Olonijola Event Centre, Kabba, the ancient headquarters of the Okun people.* The Okun, a distinct northeast Yoruba people majorly inhabit six local governments in Kogi State, namely: Lokoja, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West. They are also to be found in parts of Kwara, Ondo and Ekiti States.
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Coming some eight years after it’s maiden outing in 2017, the imminent Summit is expected to deliberate on worsening security situation, agriculture, the parlous state of infrastructure, education and commerce across the lenghth and breadth of Okun land. The Summit promises to be an assemblage of the best of the land with a passion for her growth. Traditional rulers, academics, captains of commerce and industry, political and religious leaders and government officials are expected to attend under the chairmanship of General Funsho Owonibi (rtd), the Mayegun of Aiyetoro and Otunba Balogun Agba of Gbede. Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is the Chief Guest of Honour, while His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council will be the royal father of the Day.
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, Members of the House of Representatives for Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu and Yagba Federal Constituencies, Salman Idris and Leke Abejide respectively, and Asiwaju Olatunji Olusoji, founder Olatunji Olusojo Foundation will be Special Guests of Honour. Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi will be the Guest Speaker. The National President of the Okun Development Association (ODA) Ambassador Akenson Rotimi will serve as the Father of Day, while the immediate past MD/CEO of National Agriculture Insurance Corporation, Mrs Folashade Joseph will be the mother of the day.
Kogi State Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Idris Asiru, chairs the Summit Organizing Committee, even as the National Coordinator of Okun Development Initiative (ODI), Deacon Olusuyi Otitoju will serve as Host. Chairman of Yagba West who double as the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Kogi State chapter, Hon. Tosin Olokun will be the Chief Host. In spite of their abundant mineral resources and vibrant human capital with global impact, the economic reality in Okun land is very far from achieving its vast potential.
Okunland for instance holds the distinctive record of being the only sociocultural and senatorial entity in Nigeria, which plays host to two gigantic cement plants, owned by multimillionaire moguls Aliko Dangote and Dahiru Mangal, respectively. The Summit is envisioned to be a charge to duty on the imperatives of togetherness, forgiveness and pursuing the common good instead of selfish interests. The Summit will acknowledge the multiplex challenges confronting the area and emphasise the power of one voice, clarity and purpose, in the unified advocacy for development in Okunland. It will herald the strength of many hands, working in harmony, to build a better life for all. The release enjoins all stakeholders to participate in the Summit.
*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*
*Chairman, Media Subcommittee*
May 25, 2025
