Okun United for Ododo Seeks Royal Blessings, as Oba Owoniyi hints on a Trust Fund Initiative for KSU Kabba.
By Sunday Ajayi – Lokoja
Ahead of the November 11 Governorship election in Kogi State, a newly unveiled support group titled Okun United for Ododo/Joel Project, 2023 has visited the Obaro of Kabba for his Royal blessings as the group commence its activities of going round the length and breath of Okunland preaching the gospel of Ododo/Joel, 2023.
While in the Obaro’s palace, the Director General of the group, Barrister Alfred Bello said after the unveiling program last week, their first point of call is the Obaro’s palace to seek his Royal blessings as they start their movement from community to community in Okunland to campaign for the APC and it’s Governoship Candidate, stressing that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC is already in charge in Abuja, there will be no need for Okun and indeed Kogi state to waste their time in voting another party than APC.
He noted with emphasy that APC remain the party to follow now, pointing out that the establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba is more than enough reason to go with the APC, that those who think he will regret his association with APC has been disappointed as the university is more tangible than any other thing.
He said the group which comprises of prominent personalities with proven integrity and love for the community are out to support APC for the overall interest of the people, as the idea of Okun for Governor can be now or later and not now or never, stressing that he strongly believes that very soon it will be the turn of Okun land to be in Lugard house.
The Secretary General of the group, Hon. Philip Orebiyi commended the Royal father for his purposeful leadership in Okunland, stressing that he was glad having a personality of his caliber to be the Obaro of Kabba.
He said it will be a great joy to have someone from Okun to be the Governor of the state but he believes the time may not be now.
He said the people will appreciate them later as their target is to see how Okun people can work together for the overall interest of the people now and in the future.
Also speaking the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara who is the General Coordinator of the group said the Obaro of Kabba remain a beacon of hope in Okunland and since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, the issue of having a University in the area remains one of his top priorities, noting that he was there in 2018 when he publicly requested that he needs a higher institution (University) in his domain from Governor Yahaya Bello.
He said it is time for all and sundry to unite for the overall development of not only the area but entire state, stressing that issues of unity in Okunland should be all encompassing either as traditional rulers, politicians, political office holders, leaders of thought and opinion molders.
In his reaction, the Paramount ruler of Oweland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council commended the group for a job well done, stressing that the newly established university in Kabba is enough to support the governing party as a sign appreciation to the Governor.
He hinted on an initiative to have a Trust Fund, a platform whereby the people of Okunland can contribute at least one thousand naira per head to the development of the newly established university in Kabba.
The Monarch commended the group for their foresight to assemble themselves in a manner that will preach the message of unity among Okun people, stressing that it is high time for the people of the zone irrespective of their class and location to unite for the purpose of the development of the area.
He further revealed that he is glad Governor Yahaya Bello approved the third State owned University and sited it in Kabba, pointing out what a university can do in the existence of any community can never be imagine, citing the Ibadan experience when the university was established in 1948, that the distance between the university site and Ibadan community then was twenty miles and today the entire university of Ibadan is now within the city.
Oba Owoniyi said the Obaro of Kabba and Emir of Zaria was recognized same day in 1923 by the Colonial government and because of Ahmadu Bello University, today Zaria is far bigger than Kabba, he urged the people to continue to support government that have enormous capacity to transform any Community to any height that will be beneficial to the people.
He said he did not ask anyone to abandon his or her political parties but that with what Governor Yahaya Bello has done in respect of the university, the people of Okunland will surely appreciate his kind gesture by giving him the needed support anytime the need arises, urging the group to also use the opportunity of their going round to appeal to the people especially traditional rulers, politicians, and stakeholders for the need to work together for the good of okun nation.
Giving the vote of thanks, Hon Eric Fiki, a former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, eulogized the royal father for the wisdom to bring the people of Okunland together, urged him not be tired of his continuous efforts of uniting the people for greater results in the nearest future.
He said the group will work on his observations and also reach out to all stakeholders in order for the area to have a formidable front to demand for their rights at any given time. Other personalities in the train, include, Hon Segun Ogbonikon, Pastor Samuel Olubaton, Hon Obademi, Kabba/Bunu Council Leader, Hon. Towonifini Mosiko, former Ijumu APC women leader, Hon. Wise, Lady Tayo etc
