Remains of the immediate past Kogi State Security Adviser, Brigadier-General Paul Olushola Okuntimo (Rtd), is to be laid to rest at Makutu Isanlu in Yagba East Local Government Area of the State on September 4th 2021.
Brigadier-General Paul Olushola Okuntimo died at Ibadan, Oyo State on the 11th of July, 2021 in a brief illness at the age of 72.
Burial arrangement jointly signed by a son of the deceased, Mr. Imole Okuntimo as well as Prince Dayo Akanmode, Chairman, Publicity Committee and made available to Newsmen in Lokoja, the State Capital explained that Commendation Service in honour of the gallant Soldier holds on Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 at his Residence, 16 Crescent, Bashorun Housing, Ibadan Oyo State beginning at 3pm.
According to the statement, lying-in-state and Service of songs take place on 3rd of same month at his residence, Aiyetoro Compound, Itedo Makutu Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government at 3pm and 4pm respectively.
Burial service and Interment hold on Saturday at 10 o’clock in the morning at his residence, to be followed by reception of Guests at GYB Hall, Opposite Police Station by Local Government Secretariat, Makutu Isanlu.
All lovers of the Late Brigadier General from both within and outside Kogi State are expected to pay their last respect to the Icon.
The late Brigadier-General Paul Olushola Okuntimo (Rtd), a retired soldier who served his fatherland meritoriously was born on 14th of March 1949 to the family of Baba Soje Ilemesho Okuntimolehin and Mama Theresa Iyeponmile of Okedisin Compound, Ilesho House, Ogbom, Yagba East Local Government Area in present day Kogi State.
As a retired military officer of repute in the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, he served in various challenging positions of diverse which include: Operations Management, personnel administration, program development, manpower development, inventory management, budget and administration, training and development, policies and internal control mechanisms.
Late Gen. Okuntimo’s relocated to Kaduna State where he attended his secondary education at St. Peter’s College Kaduna(1967-1971) where he earned his Higher Elementary Certificate. As a student at St Peter’s College, where he was nicknamed “Fala” for his discipline, himself and some colleagues, would observe with keen interest the training and exercise sessions of National Defence Academy cadets whom they admired from a distance.
These observations would later play a major role in his career choice few years later. Shortly after his secondary education, late Gen. Okuntimo taught briefly in Benue State and applied to the National Defence Academy in Kaduna, passed the examination and was admitted on merit as a member of Regular Course 15.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 19 December 1976 as a Regular Combatant Officer, earning a National Defense Academy Certificate of Education. From the time he earned his commission to his retirement later, he attended several courses including the Command and Staff College (1990), National War College (2003) and University of Ibadan where he earned MSc in Strategic Studies.
His rise through the ranks was phenomenal. He was promoted from Major to Lt Colonel in December 1994, to Colonel in 1998, and Brigadier General in January 2004, earning his well deserved first star.
One thing that cannot be taken from General Okuntimo is excellent performance of any task assigned to him, all of which he did selflessly and meritoriously.
He served the Nigerian Army in the following formations, Director, Defence Procurement, Defence Headquarters Abuja (2004-2005), Colonel General Staff, HQ, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan (2002-2003), Colonel Administration, HQ, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan (2001-2002), Director, Research, Training,Development and Evaluation TRADOC (1999-2001) and Acting Military Administrator, Kebbi State (1998).
Others are; Commanding Officer 2 Battalion Nigerian Army, Birnin-Kebbi (1998-1999), Camp Commandant, TRADOC headquarters, Minna, Niger State (1995-1997), Chairman, Rivers State Internal Security Task Force, Rivers State (1993-1995), Camp Commandant 2 Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt Rivers State (1993-1995), Logistics Officer II (DAQ) 2 Amphibious Brigade, Rivers State (1985-1990), General Staff Officer 3 (Training Coordination), Command and Staff College Jaji (1982-1985), Aide-De-Camp, Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna (1981-1982), Company Commander, 142 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Otukpo (1976-1978).
Also, he represent the country in foreign assignments as an Observer, Congo Military Training Centre, Congo Brazzaville (2001), Military Observer, Sierra Leone (1997-1998), Chief Operations Officer, Northern Angola, United Nations Verification Mission Angola-UNAVEM (1991-1993), Field Patrol officer, United Nations Interim Verification Force in Lebanon (1979-1980).
Upon his retirement in October 2005, late Gen. Okuntimo out of his passion for wealth creation and empowerment of sons and daughters of Okunland founded the Movement for the Eradication of Poverty in Okunland.
Following his track record of honesty, hard work and selfless service to the Nation, Brigadier General Paul Okuntimo was appointed Chairman, Kogi State Committee for Screening and Verification of Workers, and State Security Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, AlhajiYahaya Bello in 2016.
The service of the General during his life time earned him the following awards of excellence; Force Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Star (GSS), United Nations Medal and Letter of Commendation (UNIFIL, Lebanon), United Nations Service Medal and Letter of Commendation (UNAVEM II, Angola), ECOMOG Medal (Loko, Sierra Leone), Rivers State Letter of Commendation, Chieftaincy title: Gbenemene Tuatua Fefello-Tuatua of Ogoniland, Rivers State (translated The first anointed King of Peace in Ogoniland).
Late General Okuntimo visited 51 countries during his lifetime and he’s survived by his wife and three children.
