Prominent indigenes of Okunland in Kogi West Senatorial District have launched an initiative aimed at providing relief for inhabitants of the area from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative known as the “Okun People COVID-19 Relief Response” is meant to tackle the social and health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the Yoruba-speaking people of the state.
Among prominent Okun people named in the initiative’s Elders Advisory Council are former military governor of the old Oyo State and minister of Police Affairs, Major-Gen. David Jemibewon; former minister of Industries and chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu; former minister of Health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo; former attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), and one time acting governor of Kogi State, Chief Clarence Olafemi.
In a press statement issued yesterday by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Duro Meseko, the group also announced the setting up of a 21-member steering committee as well as various sub-committees such as contact/network, fund raising and materials collection, procurement, media, relief materials distribution and funds/materials audit committees, among others.
Meseko said that the steering committee headed by former deputy chief of staff in the presidency, Prince Olusola Akanmode, has other members as the former deputy governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Senator Dino Melaye, speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole, national president of Okun Development Association (ODA), Mr Femi Mokikan while public policy analyst, Dr Ronke Bello, will serve as the secretary of the committee and head of the secretariat.
