Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi at the weekend, announced the donation of N10m to support the proposed Nursing School project by the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Ijumu Diocese (Anglican Province of Lokoja). The lawmaker made an additional donation of N1m to the Cathedral of Anglican Communion, Iyara, as his contribution to the church’s development projects.
The events coincided with the burial of the mother of Mrs. Folashade Joseph, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), late Chief (Mrs) Grace Funke Omoniwa (née Toba) in Iyara, headquarters of Ijumu Local Council, Kogi State.
Notable figures in attendance include erstwhile Deputy Chief of Staff (Presidency), Prince Olusola Akamande, All ProgressivesCongress (APC) National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Hon Duro Meseko and Kogi State Commissioners for Education and Finance, Wemi Jones and Idris Asiru, among others.
Other dignitaries at the event include Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Abubakar Kyari, former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Arc Yomi Awoniyi, Member representing Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu federal constituency, Arc. Salman Idris, Secretary to Kogi State Government (SSG), Dr Folashade Ayoade, Kogi State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara rtd and stakeholders in the nation’s insurance industry. The traditional institution was led by Obaro of Kabba and Chair, Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, Olujumu of Ijumu and Chairman, Ijumu Traditional Council, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni and the Elulu of Mopa and Chairman, Mopamuro Traditional Council, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun.
The guests including present and past Government Functionaries from the Federal, State and Local Government levels as well as family members gathered at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul’s Anglican Church to pay their last respect to the late Mrs Omoniwa, a renowned entrepreneur and devote Christian.
Addressing the congregation during the service, Senator Karimi indicated interest in the school of nursing project, as that will go a long way to stimulate development in the medical sector of Kogi West.
Earlier, the Diocesan Bishop of the church, Professor Paul Ojo described the late Omoniwa as a great mother who raised all her children in the way of God, “great personalities in the society today, showcasing the achievements of the family as good ambassadors of Ijumu Anglican Diocese”.
Professor Ojo said as part of the contributions of the church to the development of Ijumu, Okunland and humanity at large, the management of the Church noted that Iyara being the headquarters of Ijumu land and falls within Ijumu Arin already have the Anglican Secondary School, Iyara while the newly established Ijumu Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School in Aiyetoro-Gbede will cater for Gbede district. He disclosed that arrangement has been concluded to establish Ijumu Anglican School of Nursing to be sited in Ogidiland to balance their developmental projects among the three districts of Ijumuland.
He further noted that since the medical sector is one of the lucrative sectors across the globe, they decided to establish the school to train the upcoming generation in nursing related courses that will made them equipped to fit in anywhere in the world, stressing that Ijumu would also be earning in dollars since many of the children that will pass through the school can also travel abroad to practice.
President of Iyara Development Association (IDA), Alhaji Aliyu Badaki described the deceased as a selfless woman, who was committed to the development of Iyara Community. He recalled how Chief Mrs. Omoniwa agreed with her late husband to give up their only house for the establishment of the first generation bank in the community, Unity Bank.
While conveying the condolences of Iyara Community both home and Diaspora, the IDA National President noted that late Chief Mrs.Omoniwa will be remembered for her acts of discipline and philanthropic gesture.
