The Yagba people and Okun nation in Kogi West
senatorial zone of Kogi State have been charged to rededicate and commit
themselves to the defence and transformation of their fatherland.
Former Nigerian Army Brigadier General Paul
Okuntimo (rtd) gave the charge at the weekend at Isanlu, the headquarters of
Yagba East Local Government Council during his 70th birthday celebration
organised for him by Like Mind Group of the senatorial district.
Okuntimo, who was full of appreciation to God for taking
him this far on earth, commended the Like Minds Group under the leadership of
Dr. Toyin Akanle for putting up a befitting birthday celebration for him.
He said the gesture rekindled his determination to
live the remaining part of his life standing
up for the defence, protection and
promotion of Yagba and Okun nation.
The former army general urged the people to devise
means to legitimately defend themselves against external and internal threats,
adding that he is always available to render his professional service at no
cost to the people.
According to him, Okun nation is surrounded by Fulani
herdsmen who keep destroying farm products of the people, stressing that under
the law, the people have the rights to life and to use legal means to defend
their lives.
He said: “The Yagba and Okun people under the
Nigerian Constitution have the right to defend their lives and property. I call
on communities to organise themselves using commonsense to protect our land.
The remaining part of my life on earth is to defend the interest of Okun land.
I’m a trained infantry soldier with wealth of experience. Call on me at any
time, I will give my advice at no cost to safeguard our land.
“It saddens me that one of us went to his farm and
was killed by the Bororo Fulani herders and the people are wailing and crying.
This must stop. I have surrendered my life to defend the lives and property of
our land.”
Okuntimo, who was the first chairman of Governor
Yahaya Bello staff screening exercise, explained that his unceremonious sack
was divine, noting that he decided to keep quiet over the issue because of the
chains of events that heralded the administration.
He added that he worked assiduously to come out
with time tested reports, but unfortunately, he was sacked, even as he challenged
anybody to come out to compare his report with any other reports since he was
sack from the committee.
Okuntimo said he had put the matter behind him, but
urged the government to have the fortitude to pay the lingering salary arrears
while praying to God to repose the souls of those who died of nonpayment of
salaries in the state.
In his remark, Chairman of the central planning
committee, Dayo Akanmode, said the celebrant has many parts, stressing that the
group hosted him for his contributions to peace building and his resilience in
speaking the truth to power.
He added that the occasion is the modest recognition
of Okuntimo’s contributions to the development and progress of Yagba and Okun
land, as he challenged other sons and daughters of the nation to emulate his
courage, principle and forthrightness throughout his service years.
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