The Chairman, Elders Advisory Council (EAC), apex body of the Pan-Okun Relief Response to COVID-19 Agenda, Professor Olu Obafemi has called for concerted efforts among members of the steering committee and other sub-committees in the task of fund raising thereby ensuring that the initiative achieves its objectives without delay.
Prof Obafemi, a former President, Association of Nigerian Authors, who gave the charge in his maiden address as Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council, however commended the foundation Chairman of the Council, Chief Kola Jamodu for his initial efforts to put the Pan-Okun Relief Agenda “on a sound footing”.
While thanking members of the steering committee and sub-committees for the remarkable performances and progress reports so-far, he affirmed that he accepted his new role as Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council without any reservations, but with strong determination to justify the confidence reposed in him.
According to him, “I am glad to address you for the first time since I stepped into Chief Kola Jamodu’s shoes a few days ago as the Chairman of Pan-Okun People Covid-19 Relief Response Agenda. I have waited till now to give this address so as to afford me the opportunity to have consultations with my colleagues in the Council and to obtain a Status Report from the Steering Committee.
“I wish to use this occasion to commend the initial efforts by Chief Kola Jamodu (CFR) to put this Pan-Okun Agenda on a sound footing with his Inaugural Address in which he articulated the objectives and modus operandi/organizational structure of the project. I have just confirmed from the Progress Report of the Steering Committee that all the structures are now fully operational and have started delivering on their mandates. I therefore wish to express my profound appreciation of the remarkable performance by members of the Steering Committee and the various Sub-Committees.I wish to state with all the emphasis at my disposal that I accepted my new role without any reservation whatsoever and a strong determination to justify the confidence reposed in me.
“Following my interactions with my colleagues in the Council, I believe I can make similar assertions on their behalf. They are prepared to use their best endeavours to support the project because they believe the objectives are laudable and the outcomes will impact positively on our people.
“Apart from the Progress Report of the Steering Committee I have also taken time to study all the Work Plans of the various Sub-Committees. Without prejudice to the collective actions the Council may take or advise going forward, I will like to make the following fervent appeals to our people.
“In the first place, we should be mindful of the fact that we have embarked on a project that is time-bound. We therefore have to move expeditiously to do what we have to do. It is understandable that when we embark on this kind of journey there will be front runners and vacillators. What is important is for us to agree completely and focus on our ultimate destination. It is gratifying that we already have a critical mass of people who have implicit faith in this project. What remains is for us to work tirelessly together to consummate it”.
He urged members to expedite action on the seed money to be contributed in order to demonstrate sincerity and good faith in the project.
“Contribution to the Seed Money is not a levy but it is a symbolic and important task. I therefore urge everybody to perform this task without further delay”, he admonished.
