L- R . Major General Lukman Omoniyi rtd, Barr Kofo Abdusallam Alada, former Director of Legal, Central Bank of Nigeria, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior and Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem rtd at the dinner and award ceremony organised by Akoko Security, Peace and Development Council where the four bagged awards
Leaders and stakeholders from Akoko land in Ondo State have called for greater unity, improved security and an end to the abandonment of public projects by successive administrations, urging political leaders to prioritise continuity and collective development over individual interests.
They made the call at the second gathering of the Akoko Security, Peace and Development Council,(ASPDC), which brought together prominent sons and daughters of the four local government areas of Akoko to review progress and chart a common development agenda.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr Charles Olorunda, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said the council was established primarily to promote lasting peace and security in Akoko land but had subsequently expanded its mandate to foster unity and drive development across the four local government areas.
Olorunda said the gathering provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess achievements, identify challenges and agree on priority projects for the region.
Speaking, the President of the council, Maj.-Gen. Dayo Olukoju, Rtd, said the inability of the people to unite had contributed to the area’s slow pace of development.
Olukoju said the four local government areas had the collective strength to attract meaningful development if their people worked together and pursued common interests.
He urged stakeholders to resolve their differences and embrace a common identity, stressing that unity would strengthen the region’s capacity to address insecurity and attract socio-economic opportunities.
“By the time we come together, the socio-economic development of the area will grow. No burden will come from any other state or part of the country to disturb us.
“This is a reformed Akoko, a new Akoko, an Akoko that has a vision for socio-economic development and a secure environment,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasised the importance of drawing inspiration from accomplished indigenes and building on the achievements of previous generations.
Tunji-Ojo recalled the challenges Akoko faced in securing senatorial representation before the emergence of distinguished political leaders from the area, noting that collective support had helped the region achieve greater political representation.
He cited the emergence of a four-term senator from Akoko, who also served as Deputy Senate Leader, as an example of the leadership potential within the area.
The minister also highlighted the achievements of Prince Olubaka, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Sen. Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, who served as Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
He urged younger generations to draw inspiration from such accomplishments and tap into the experience of leaders produced by the area.
In his goodwill message, a former Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said the recognition of accomplished indigenes was aimed at encouraging them to contribute more to national development, support the presidential agenda and serve as role models for younger generations.
Kayode urged Akoko indigenes to invest in education, encourage young people to participate in governance and politics, and sustain their involvement in community development.
He said the achievements of the honourees demonstrated that young Nigerians could attain positions of responsibility and contribute meaningfully to the country’s future.
Also speaking, former senator, Sen. Robert Boroffice, said the awards were intended to inspire recipients to do more while encouraging younger generations to emulate their contributions to society.
Boroffice said the council would continue to recognise deserving individuals, stressing that its broader objective was to unite Akoko indigenes, strengthen networking and promote collective efforts towards the development of the area.
In his remarks, former Federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Olusade Adesola, called for the completion of two proposed transmission substations at Okeagbe and Ikare to improve electricity supply in Akoko land.
Adesola said the projects, initially expected to be funded through the internally generated revenue of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), had suffered delays due to funding constraints.
According to him, discussions are ongoing with relevant authorities to secure funding through the 2027 budget, adding that their completion would boost electricity supply, stimulate small businesses and create employment opportunities.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Projects, of the South West Development Commission (SWDC), Mr Olusegun Olufehinti, said stakeholders had compiled data on abandoned and uncompleted federal, state and constituency projects across Akoko land to facilitate efforts towards their completion.
He urged political office holders to prioritise continuity in project execution rather than abandoning existing projects whenever there was a change in leadership.
Meanwhile, the gathering honoured several retired indigenes of Akoko in recognition of their contributions to public service and the development of the area.
An award recipients, Former Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Bisi Kazeem, Rtd, said the recognition was an encouragement to distinguished indigenes to sustain their contributions to society, support national development and serve as role models for younger generations.
Kazeem said the awards demonstrated the community’s appreciation of individuals who had contributed to national development through their respective fields of service.
He expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as a motivation to deepen their commitment to community development, humanitarian activities and service to humanity.
He said that the honour would inspire him to contribute more to society, assist people in need and expand his humanitarian activities.
Another award recipient, Barrister Kofo Abdulsalam-Alada, Fmr. Director, Legal services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Rtd, said the gathering represented an opportunity to revive Akoko’s historical position as a major commercial hub in the South-West.
He said stakeholders were committed to strengthening security and protecting lives and property to create an environment conducive to investment and economic activities.
The stakeholders urged the council to sustain the gathering as an annual event to strengthen relationships among Akoko indigenes, promote cooperation and advance a common development agenda for the area.
Award recipient include, Hon. Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, DG ITF, Dr Olusegun Olufehinti, ED Projects SWDC,
Also including are Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan, Federal Commissioner, RMAFC, Hon. Taofik Abdulsalam, Federal Commissioner, Code of Conduct Bureau, Alh. Rasheed Kazeem , Chairman, National Anti Doping Agency, Maj. Gen. Tokunbo Omoniyi, Rtd,
Others are Maj. Gen. Olaniyi Dare, Rtd, Rear Admiral, Morakinyo Olotu, Rtd, Comptroller, Morenike Oladunni, Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Rtd, Deputy Corps Marshal, (DCM), FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, Chief Olusade Adesola , OON, Former Federal Permanet Secretary, Rtd, Dr Olusegun Olusa, Former FCT PS, Rtd and Barrister Kofo Abdulsalam-Alada, Former Director, Legal Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
