Newly elected National President, Oke-Offin Development Association (ODA), Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola, has pledged to explore the cultural potentials of Akofirin Cultural Festival to place the community on global map.
Olorunsuwa made this known in his acceptance speech in Oke-Offin, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi state, on Sunday.
He assured that the new leadership of ODA will work hard to attract positive and developmental attention to Oke-Offin community.
“We shall use all available connections and links at our disposal to ensure that Oke-Offin is put on the national international radar. In doing this, all available means shall be explored including the Akofirin Cultural Festival.
“ODA, under my leadership, shall prioritize education and vocational training. It shall not be allowed to see children out of school. ODA shall take keen interest in the educational development of every child. Questions shall be asked from parents why their children are not in school. Poverty shall not be an acceptable excuse for any parents not to train their children or wards as the untrained kids of today will become the trouble of tomorrow. In this regards, we seek the support of all and sundry to cooperate with us.
“The Association shall take deliberate effort in ensuring the reduction in the excessive consumption of alcohol of our youth. A drunk can hardly be a great man.
“My leadership shall have the youths and children as its main focal point, as a well educated youth is a prosperous future for our dear community.
“We hope to leave behind a legacy of prosperity, love and unity among our people when it is time for us to bow out,” he said.
Full Text of Olorunsuwa’s Acceptance Speech
It is with utmost humility and respect that I accept this unique opportunity to contribute my quota to the development of our dear community in the capacity of the National President of Oke-Offin Development Association. God speaking to Jeremiah had said ” before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jer 1:5. I thank God for everything He molded me into.
I grew up to see myself gravitating towards matters that have to do community development and youth mentorship , I have always taken keen interest in the development of the younger once, least did I know that fate was actually preparing me for such an enormous task like the National President of Oke-Offin Development Association.
On a day like this, I would wish my father, late Elder Moses Ighunonigbe Olorunsuwa, were alive, he would have being a very happy man to see me stand before this great people to present this unique and historic acceptance speech as your National President. Babami, I know you are happy with this even in death. I thank you and your dear wife( my mum) for your efforts and investments in me. Ishall not disappoint you, with the help of God.
To those great men that have threaded this part before me, late Chief Jethro Bayeri Ayinmode the Bobagunwa and the Ologe of Oke-Offin, under whose leadership this town hall was built in 1982, may your soul rest well; Cheif Joe Elebiyo, the Bobagunwa of Bunu Kingdom and the Oludoyi of Oke-Offin, he superintended over the building of our secondary school in 1992, Mr Segun Onimebani, Hon Funsho Aribido my brother who continued to uphold the values of ODA, he assiduously worked with All Yahay of blessed memory to ensure that our secondary school was grant aided by the government in early 2000.And now to the living legend, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd) who had seen the community development drive in me even long before I saw it, he hand ‘conspired’ several times even without my consent and knowledge to conscript me into this ‘military zone’, while I can’t disagree with him with his desire to have me take over from him, I can only let him know that I won’t be happy if he doesn’t live up to his promise of never going to relent in his community development drive even after leaving office. I must give a standing ovation to all these great men who have continued to keep ODA alive through their selfless services. May God bless you abundantly and to those who have gone to rest, may your souls rest in peace.
The Kabiyesi sir, I grew up to love you for a reason I don’t even know. You became the Oluwoa and the bound of our love grew much stronger. I approached you in 2013 for a loan to fund my M.Sc school fees, Kabiyesi sir,, you gave me 10, 000.00 naira and you clearly added that the money was your contribution to my education and not a loan, that M.Sc you gave me money to fund in 2013 was what qualified for a job as a university lecturer years later, today that job has positioned me in a way to come and join you to develop our dear community. Kabiyesi, I thank you and will forever be thank you to you for that investment of 10,000.00 in my education. May your reign be more peaceful, prosperous and very long sir.
My encounter with the Allah of Oke-Offin Cheif Adewunmi Adeyemi in December 2005 has taught me that he is a fine retired police officer that will never cheat. He stood by the truth then even when many people felt otherwise. Baba, God bless you.
Now that my small feet has been dragged into this big shoe, I shall walk with it. Infact , I shall run with it, by the special grace of God and the support of all of you. I shall continue from where the Uncle Jerry has halted and we have even greater .
ODA under my leadership shall prioritize education and vocational training. It shall not be allowed to see children out of school. ODA shall take keen interest in the educational development of every child. Questions shall be asked from parents why their children are not in school. Poverty shall not be an acceptable excuse for any parents not to train their children or wards as the untrained kids of today will become the trouble of tomorrow. In this regards, we seek the support of all and sundry to cooperate with us.
The Association shall take deliberate effort in ensuring the reduction in the excessive consumption of alcohol of our youth. A drunk can hardly be a great man.
My leadership shall have the youths and children as its main focal point, as a well educated youth is a prosperous future for our dear community.
We shall strife hard to attract positive and developmental attention to our community. We shall use all available connections and links at our disposal to ensure that Oke-Offin is put on the national international radar. In doing this, all available means shall be explored including the Akofirin Cultural Festival.
We hope to leave behind a legacy of prosperity, love and unity among our people when it is time for us to bow out.
We shall practice family/clan based fund mobilisation for ODA. We intend to hold regularly meetings with various clans and tribes in the community with a view of seeking their assistance in mobilising fund for development. We shall not be contented with the usual voluntary donations by members. Everyone shall he encouraged to demonstrate their love for the community through their resources.
My actions and inactions from this moment shall be those that gratify the interests of Oke-Offin community. I shall speak your interest at all time and I shall act your interest at all time. I shall from this time belong to every family and everyone shall by my brothers and sisters.
Let me state categorically clear here that , Uncle Jerry is still part of the Exco of ODA, as such we may find it hard to accept a behind the scene performance sir.
While, I still remain thankful to you all for having me as your National President, I crave your prayers and cooperation so that we can jointly contribute meaningfully to the development of our dear community.
Thank you and God bless you.
Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola
National President, Oke-Offin Development Association.
