Being the Text of Paper Presentation by Hon. Dayo Akanmode, National Treasurer, Okun Development Association On Behalf of the National Executive Council At the Okun Unity Summit, Kabba
Theme: Strategies for Preparing Grounds for Okun Unity and Tidying Up Our Cohesion
1. Introduction
Distinguished leaders, elders, sons, and daughters of Okunland,
I greet you all with a deep sense of humility and purpose. It is with utmost honour and gratitude that I stand before you on behalf of the Okun Development Association (ODA) to present this paper.
I bring you warm greetings from the ODA, the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the proud, industrious, and visionary people of Okunland across the six local government areas: Yagba West, Yagba East, Mopa Amuro, Ijumu, Kabba Bunu, and the Oworo region in Lokoja Local Government Area, as well as Okun people in Kwara, Ekiti, and the diaspora.
I stand before you at this pivotal summit, a convergence not only of minds but of hopes and history. This gathering, organised by the Okun Development Initiative (ODI), is both timely and essential.
I must also commend the National Executive Council of ODA under the able leadership of Ambassador Rotimi Akenson for their efforts in repositioning the Association, and for granting me the privilege to deliver this address.
2. Understanding the Okun Reality: The Imperative for Unity and Cohesion
We, the Okun people, are blessed with a shared language, heritage, and destiny. Yet, over the years, internal challenges have eroded our collective strength. These include:
• Cultural and community fragmentation
• Boundary disputes
• Political division and exclusion
• Uncoordinated developmental efforts
These issues are not insurmountable. To address them, we must confront them with courage and respond with wisdom. True unity is not uniformity—it is collaborative cohesion. Our strength lies in purposefully managed diversity, in shared vision pursued with humility, and in collective will transformed into action.
3. Strategic Pillars for Okun Unity, Cohesion, and Prosperity
A. Fostering Dialogue and Reconciliation
• Institutionalise regular consultative forums and town hall meetings across Okunland
• Establish a permanent Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Committee
• Encourage inter-community exchange programmes to build familiarity and trust
B. Cultural Reawakening and Identity Promotion
• Launch cultural revitalisation campaigns to promote Okun festivals, language, and traditions
• Integrate Okun history and language into school curricula and public platforms
• Invest in the documentation and dissemination of Okun values, proverbs, and
historical narratives
C. Youth and Women Empowerment
• Create Youth and Women Development Councils within the ODA structure
• Promote entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and mentorship initiatives
• Recognise and support the vital roles of women in family life, the economy, and community cohesion
D. Political and Economic Collaboration
• Convene bipartisan political forums to align Okun interests across party lines
• Develop economic clusters, cooperative societies, and agriculture-focused
initiatives
• Establish sector-specific master plans for education, health, infrastructure, and business
E. Strengthening the ODA and Institutional Frameworks
• Reinforce ODA’s internal governance with clearly defined roles, transparent leadership, and accountability
• Develop a sustainable funding model through voluntary contributions, community fundraising, and endowments
• Build and operationalise the Okun Development Secretariat as the central hub for strategic planning and development coordination
F. Building Security and Peace Architecture
• Establish an Okun Security Trust Fund to support victims of insecurity and equip local vigilante groups
• Activate community-based intelligence networks for early warning and neighbourhood surveillance
• Form strategic alliances with regional security outfits like Amotekun, OPC, and other credible local security structures
4. Collaboration, Not Competition: A New Spirit of Engagement
Let us be clear—groups such as the Okun Development Initiative (ODI), Okun Think Tank (OTT), and others are not adversaries. They are evidence of a people awakened to purpose. These groups must conduct themselves in ways that foster synergy, ensuring ODA sees them as partners, not threats.
We are conveners—not gatekeepers.
We stand for:
• Mutual Respect: No group holds a monopoly on love for Okunland
• Transparency and Inclusivity: These are the foundations of sustainable leadership
• Platforms Over Turf Wars: Let us transform parallel efforts into collective success
5. Roadmap for Implementation
To translate our unity into tangible outcomes, we propose the following:
• “One Okun” Campaign: A visible, resonant movement with unified branding, messaging, and activities
• Five-Year Strategic Development Plan: A living document to guide coordinated development
• Quarterly Peace and Development Roundtables: Regular platforms for dialogue across various sectors
• Annual Unity and Progress Summits: Forums to assess progress, celebrate achievements, and recalibrate strategies
• Diaspora Engagement Network: Mobilise Okun professionals and investors worldwide for local impact
6. Conclusion: A New Dawn Beckons
Dear sons and daughters of Okunland,
We stand today at a defining moment. The journey ahead may not be easy, but it is rich with opportunity. It calls for shared sacrifice, bold imagination, and sincere collaboration. Let us replace suspicion with trust, rivalry with partnership, and personal ambition with a collective vision.
Let us recommit—across clans, towns, and generations—to the greater Okun dream. Let our children, and their children after them, speak of this era as the turning point—the moment we rose together.
“When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.”
Let us weave a web of unity, vision, and purposeful action—strong enough to preserve our heritage and launch our future.
Together, we shall secure our land.
Together, we shall revive our culture.
Together, we shall raise the banner of Okunland high once again.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Long live Okunland! Long live Kogi State!
Long live the Federal! Republic of Nigeria!
Signed:
Hon. Dayo Akanmode
For Okun Development Association
