Okun leaders launch COVID-19 relief initiative

Some prominent Okun sons and daughters have launched an initiative to provide relief for the vulnerable in Kogi west to cushion the effects of COVID-19.

The group, known as the Okun People COVID-19 Relief Response, said it is worried about the social and health challenges the disease poses to the district.

In a statement on Monday, Duro Meseko, a former house of representatives member and spokesman of the group, said a steering committee made up of 21 persons will raise funds, procure relief materials and distribute them.

Meseko said the conveners of the group are Smart Adeyemi, senator representing Kogi west, Leke Abejide and Tajudeen Yusuf, both serving members of the house of representatives.

“The steering committee is expected to drive the process for raising funds to buy drugs and essential commodities to be distributed to the people of the area as way of complementing efforts of the federal and Kogi State governments to contain the spread of the dreaded virus in the state and the country as a whole, as well as cushion the effects of the stay-at-home order subsisting in the state,” the spokesman said.

Kola Jamodu (pictured), chairman of the boards of Nigerian Breweries Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, is the leader of the group’s elders advisory council.

He was quoted as saying that the essence of the group is to galvanise support for the poor and vulnerable people of Kogi west.

“For the sake of emphasis, the broad objective of the Okun People Relief Response is to galvanise a broad-based support in raising funds for procuring materials and medical supplies, including drugs, as well as ensuring sustained awareness in order to mitigate the impact on our people,” Jamodu said.

“The advisory council, which I am privileged to lead, is at the apex of the organizational structure.

“The members are expected to use their best endeavours to instill confidence in all our people in general and to provide leadership, guidance and motivation to all the members of the various committees.”

The steering committee is led by Olusola Akanmode, a former deputy chief of staff to the president.

Members of the steering committee are: Yomi Awoniyi, former deputy governor of Kogi; Smart Adeyemi, senator representing Kogi west; Dino Melaye, a former senator; Mathew Kolawole, speaker of the Kogi state house of assembly; Femi Mokikan, national president of Okun Development Association (ODA); and Ronke Bello, public affairs analyst.

The group’s elders advisory council has Jamodu as chairman.

Others members of the council are: David Jemibewon, a retired major-general; Eyitayo Lambo, a former minister of health; Bayo Ojo, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF); and Clarence Olafemi, former speaker and one-time acting governor of Kogi state.

Osten Olorunsola, former director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR); Babatunde Irukera, director-general, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Stanley Jegede, founder, Phase 3 Telecoms; Eniola Bello, managing director of THISDAY newspapers; Isiaq Jibola, former managing director, Trust Newspapers; and Simon Kolawole, CEO of the TheCable were named in various sub-committees.

Others are business moguls: Jide Omokore, Tunde Ayeni, Funsho Owoyemi and Sam Owa.

The media committee led by Meseko has Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, TVC’s Journalists Hangout anchor; Dayo Thomas, managing director, Graphic newspapers; Austeen Elewodalu, director of news, Voice of Nigeria (VON); Gbemiga Ogunleye, director of Nigerian Institute of Journalists (NIJ); Vincent Akanmode, editor, The Nation; Jide Jimoh, head of department (HoD), Journalism, Lagos State University (LASU); Lara Owoeye-Wise, new media aide to deputy president of the senate; and Ralph Omololu Agbana of The Guardian Newspapers as members.