Okun Development Association (ODA), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Yoruba-speaking people of Kogi state, has congratulated all Okun compatriots, home, and in diaspora, on the occasion of Christmas and wished them a blessed new year, 2025.
The President-General and the Lisa of Egbe, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, while acknowledging the grace of God for a good end-of-year, he expressed hope that the coming year will come with good tiding and better days for Nigerians.
In a statement signed by Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Okun Development Association, the President-General, while calling for stronger commitment to the true interest and noble cause of Okun land on the part of all sons and daughters of Okun nation, gave special commendation on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association to some Okun leaders for their remarkable contributions and support to the activities of the NEC in the passing year.
Notable among them are: Chief Bayo Ojo, CON, SAN; Sen Sunday Karimi, Hon. Leke Abejide; Amb. Sola, Enikanolaiye; Barr. Shola Ojo; Dr. David Atte; Chief Femi Ajisafe, among others.
Relating to the various forms of threats to lives and property, and spates of killings and kidnappings that were recorded across the Okun landscape in the year, as well as the national losses that were experienced in a number of states in country in the preceding days to the yuletide, which were occasioned by stampedes resulting from distribution of food palliatives, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi expressed sadness and grief of the ODA over the unfortunate occurrences.
He commiserated with the people and governments of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT, as well as the many families that were affected.
He also empathized and expresses solidarity with all Okun compatriots who were bereaved or those who experienced one form of loss or the other in the course of the year. He prayed to God to soothe their pains and comfort the broken-hearted.
Ambasssdor Akenson expressed high hopes that the challenging times and declining standards of living that are being experienced by citizens across the nation would soon be ameliorated, going by the commendable economic reforms being implemented by the federal government, he called all Nigerians to a higher level of patriotism and commitment to building an egalitarian good Nigerian society that is anchored on social justice for all.
