Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris has been named chairman of of a 25 member planning committee for the final funeral rites of Pa Timothy Owoniyi, the late father of His Royal Majesty, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi.
A frontline Kabba community development enthusiast, Mr. Augustine Aribido is the secretary of the committee.
Pa Owoniyi died in Ile-Ife, Osun State on December 2, 2021 and was laid to rest at a private funeral at Egbeda, Kabba on December 16, 2021.
Members of the committee whose names were released by the royal court of Kabba yesterday include top government functionaries, a traditional ruler, leading private sector executives, women leaders and many others.
They include a former aide de camp to a one time military governor of Oyo State, Col Yomi Dare (rtd), the Olu of Apata in Lokoja Local Government Area, Oba Frederick Balogun, the State Security Adviser, Cmdr. Jerry Omodara, the Chairman, Ijumu Local Government, Alhaji Taofeek Isah and the Vice Chairman, Kabba/Bunu Local Government, Mrs. Bimpe Alfred.
Also on the list are a Comptroller of Customs, High Chief Kehinde Ejibunu, a retired Permanent Secretary in Kogi State, Chief Joseph Oshagbemi, a top Lagos business executive, Bashorun Samuel Amoko, a prominent hotelier in Lagos and Ogun States, Otunba (Engr.) Olaofe Oluwanisola and the Yeyeoba of Iyara, Chief Funmilayo Bodunde.
Members also include a former inewspaper editor and reputation management specialist, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, immediate past Kogi State Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Deacon Olusuyi Otitoju, a civil society activist, Chief M. D. Eseyin and a former director of the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief (Mrs.) Ebun Joel.
Other members of the high powered committee include:
• Mr. Simon Oke, a former National Secretary of the Okun Development Association (ODA)
• Mr. Tunde Ibrahim, a member of the ODA National Executive Committee
• Mrs. Bisi Yusuf
• Dr Olu Adubika
•Chief S. T. Olonire
• Mr. Raphael Owosuhi
• Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Bode Adeyemi
• Mr. Ade Ayodele, a Lagos based businessman and member. Kabba Council of Elders.
The committee has since commenced work on the assignment.