For over a century, the historic central cemetery in Okene local government area of Kogi state has served as the final resting place for our people. Generations of families from Okene and surrounding communities have laid their loved ones to rest within its boundaries. Today, however, this sacred ground has reached maximum capacity. It is no longer sustainable, and a replacement is deeply overdue.
Leaving a cemetery to over-congest compromises the dignity of our deceased and poses long-term environmental and planning challenges for the community. The people of Okene deserve a space where they can bury their relatives with honor, peace of mind, and proper spatial planning.
I am strongly appealing to the Kogi state government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside the Okene local government leadership, to urgently intervene. We must look beyond the current site and proactively secure a new location for the expanding population of Okene and its environs.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the government should evaluate expansive, accessible locations slightly outside the immediate urban center. Strategic and highly viable options include:
The Egenyi Border Axis: Developing a new site along the Ajaokuta Road offers excellent spatial layout opportunities and regional connectivity.
The Oguda Area: Utilising designated lands within the Okene local government area would provide a peaceful and accessible alternative for families.
Securing a new cemetery is not just a matter of urban planning; it is a profound duty of care to the living and the dead.
I urge the relevant state ministries and local authorities to inspect the current site, acquire suitable land, and begin the development of a modern, well-structured cemetery for our people.
– Suleiman Raji Saidu writes from Otutu Quarters, Okene, Kogi State.
