Chief Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola has called for more concerted efforts towards the development of Oke-Offin community in Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi state.
In his valedictory speech marking end of his 4-year tenure as National President, Oke-Offin Development Association (ODA), Olorunsuwa thanked members of the 51 year old Association for the opportunity to serve.
Olorunsuwa said the tenure had been 4 years of mixed feelings.
“It has been years of offering assistance in my little way; it has been years of offering service in the advancement of the dear community. My 4 years in the saddle of ODA has also taught me a lot of patience, perseverance and tolerance. It has taught me that service to one’s community is one of the toughest assignment one can ever accept. This is because lots of intentions are misunderstood and several people would conveniently spread unfounded rumours that will be very difficult to dispel.
“Some of unappreciated efforts abound in the course of serving you, but I was always pacified by my firm belief that God who is the rewarder of all deeds will reward me for the efforts I put in,” he said.
Reeling out achievements recorded during his tenure, Chief Olurunsuwa said the last four years were indeed eventful as the community witnessed an increase in government presence through some basic interventions that were initiated by the Association under his leadership.
He listed the sinking of a borehole in Abihi by Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, renovation of a block of classroom by Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, construction of 10 units of lockup shops in Oke-Offin Market by IFAD, sinking of borehole in Oke-Offin Market by IFAD, sinking of borehole in Oke-eye by Kogi RUWASA (awaiting installation of 3 additional taps), painting of townhall by Hon Seyi Bello, installation of doors and wiring of the Townhall as well as fixing of 8 out of 10 ceiling fans.
Chief Olorunsuwa said the Association was able to raise fund for security for the community, worked on re-invigoration of our culture, hosted the 1st Oke-Offin youth summit.
He also listed re-imbursement of JAMB registration fee to indigenes of Oke-Offin, education sensitization, release of regular monthly reports and financial update on the platform.
Under his leadership as National President, the Association hosted stakeholders meeting in Lokoja and visited other branches for re-invigoration of the branches.
He recalled hosting of raffle draw in 2022, raising the sum of N1,385,500 counterpart funding for borehole and classroom projects, timely intervention in resolution of conflict in CHS, repairs of borehole in the community, and financial grants to CHS.
Looking forward, Chief Olorunsuwa expressed optimism about the construction of drainages in the community by Lower Niger Basin Development Authority following his letter to the Authority. He also anticipate some boreholes from the agency.
He informed the Association that House of Reps member, Arc Salman Idris has promised to donate 10 solar powered street lights and farm inputs worth 2milion naira to the community.
