Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) on Wednesday said the 30th anniversary of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization will be a milestone in Nigeria’s history, disclosing that parts of the events scheduled for the anniversary include visits to the Old People’s Home, Schools for the Blind and Deaf as well as the official commissioning of the N1billion Legacy Project tagged: “Oodua House” in Ikeja, Lagos.
Chairman of OPC 30th Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, made known at a press conference which took place at Ikeja while unveiling the programmes of activities scheduled for the 30th anniversary.
Raheem, who is also the Parakoyi Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, said the 30-member committee had come up with 8-day, week-long inclusive programme that would climax with the grand reception in Lagos on Thursday, August 29.
According to him, the committee has also dedicated a day for the remembrance of the heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of the OPC’s struggle.
“We have also dedicated a day for the remembrance of the heroes of the OPC’s struggle.Those that paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle,” he said.
Prof. Raheem said the planning committee for the anniversary had been broken down into sub-committees, with each having its chairman, in order for them to be coordinated and effective in the discharge of their different but complementary roles as members of the committee.
“I am privileged to be the chairman of the newly constituted committee for the 30th anniversary of the OPC.
“We have a 30-man committee, which has also been broken down into 10 sub-committees for proper coordination and effectiveness.
“Our responsibility is to plan and organize quality and intellectual events that would continue to be a reference point in Nigeria for a very long time to come.
“Part of the events scheduled for the OPC at 30 anniversary is the Prayer to the Almighty God, and visits to special places, like the Old People’s Home, School of Blind, and Deaf, and also to those that are physically challenged.
“Another milestone is the official commissioning of the one-billion naira Legacy Project tagged the “Oodua House” in Ikeja, Lagos.
“We have also dedicated a day for the remembrance of the heroes of the OPC’s struggle.Those that paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle of the organization,” he stated.
“There is going to be a lecture and public presentation of a book on the trajectory of the OPC as one of the foremost organizations in Nigeria.
“The grand reception will be held on Thursday, August 29. On that day, prominent Nigerians will be invited from all walks of life to celebrate with us in a grand style,” he added.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Anniversary Committee, Barrister Babajide Tanimowo, who is also the General Secretary of the OPC, said the 30th anniversary was to further appreciate God for His grace to sustain the organization, noting that the organization had gone through a lot as an organization, but was able to surmount the challenges.
“OPC has gone through a lot as an organisation, but we thank God that in those difficult moments, we are able to surmount the challenges.
“We thank God for giving our amiable leader and father, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, the grace and wisdom to steer the ship of the organization successfully without any crisis.
“It is worth celebrating and all the newly- constituted committee are up to the task to ensure that the big event, which is the celebration of the 30 years anniversary of the organization, will not only be the talk of the town, but such a refreshing memory of great achievements that will linger in the memory of many for a very long time to come,” Tanimowo said.
Chairmen of the sub-committees are: Chief Dauda Asikolaye (Finance), Chief Oyinlola Awe (Logistics), Chief Segun Ajiboye (Publicity), Comrade Kunle Raji- (Security), Amb. Olugbenga Onasanya (Protocol), Amb. Isreal
Obatungashe (Contact), Chief Barr. Yinka Oguntimehin (Strategic) and
Comrade Odumosu Olajide (Branding and entertainment).
Others include Alhaji Lateef Oladimeji, Chief Musediq Jimoh, Alhaji Mutairu Adeshina, Dr Abiola
Rauf, Chief Durola Oke, Alhaji Jamiu Akinwunmi, Ambassador Ibrahim Lawal, Mrs. Abimbola Famojuro, Mrs.Tolu Ajibade, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, Mr.Samson Oseni, Comrades Muibi Animashaun, Olaolu Owosho, Adeyemi Aboderin, Oluseye Atanda, Koleosho Ibrahim, Olasheu Adedokun, Olamide Adeshina and Ademuyiwa Tonade.
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