Okun Leaders to Hold Summit on Way Forward

Leaders of the Okun people in the six Yoruba speaking local government areas of Kogi State are to hold a summit to chart the way forward for the people. 

The summit, with the theme:  “Breaking the Bonds of Underdevelopment in Okunland” holds in Kabba, Kogi State from November 24 – 26, 2016.

The programme which would dwell on security, unity and development in Okunland would be attended by foremost traditional rulers, top academics, media executives, political and community leaders, business executives and top Okun indigenes in the public sector.

The summit, being jointly organised by the umbrella socio-cultural body in the area,  Okun Development Association (ODA) and a development advocacy group, the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) would deliberate on new political and administrative strategies for Okunland, security of life and property, agricultural revolution as well as the preservation and protection of the environment in the area.

Other issues to be deliberated upon are: re-engineering the educational system for academic and cultural revival, industrialization of Okunland, effective leadership as a panacea for development, women empowerment and youth development, as well as the industrialization of Okunland.

Prominent Okun indigenes expected to deliver papers at the summit include former Minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu, Ambassador J. I. Lewu, foremost private sector operator, Chief Benjamin Olowodola, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Prince Olushola Akanmode, President, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Professor Olu Obafemi, Executive Director, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (rtd), Mr.Oladele Oyelola,  Professor Michael Ikupolati, former All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Kogi State, Mr. Babatunde Irukera and the Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Security, Commander Duro Jerry Omodara (rtd).

Also expected at the summit are past National President, Okun Development Association, Chief E. O Otitoju, former army divisional commander, Major General Julius Oshanupin (rtd) and Assistant Inspector-General of Police Raphael Osanaiye (rtd).

National Coordinator, Okun Development Initiative, Mr. Olusuyi Otitoju and the National President, Okun Development Association, Mr. Babatunde Fadumiyo are also to deliver keynote addresses at the summit which ends with the release of a communiqué on Saturday, November 26, 2016.