Ekinrin Adde Day: Otitoju urges commitment to community service

By Richard Elesho

A veteran journalist and director of News Television Continental, TVC, Babajide Kolade Otitoju, has called on privileged individuals, especially those, in the diaspora, not to stay aloof from the task of community development.

Otitoju, who made the call on Saturday, 27 June, at the 33rd Ekinrin-Adde Day festival in Kogi State, where he was decorated with the GrandStar Award, the highest in the community, noted that it was not possible for government to solve all the problems alone.

He described the award as an ‘icing of the cake,’ noting that the organisers kept their plan concealed until the conferment. He said he was proud of the recognition at home and promised not to relent in his love for his fatherland.

“Unity and peace are key to the development of any community. As I have always said, no real progress will happen when people are pulling in different directions. The people must come together and think of what they can do to move society forward.

“I call on well-placed individuals and our people in the diaspora to always think of home and give to its development. The government does not have all the resources needed for development. I encourage us to support the task of developing our communities.”

The annual cultural festival that featured traditional dances, goodwill messages, conferment of awards, and N750 million fundraising attracted dignitaries from home and abroad.

From his far away base in Borno State, Governor Babagana Zullum sent a three-man delegation led by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdulkarm Lawan. He supported the community with N50 million. The Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebamiji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Hajia Habibat Omolara Asubiaro donated N10 million, just as Chairman of the programme Prince Olatunji Olusoji donated an equal amount.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was represented by his deputy, Joel Oyinbo. He commended the Ekinrin-Added people for their spirit of self-help and promised continued support to the community.