Nigeria’s pioneer High Commissioner to Sri-Lanka, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, has declared his intention to succeed Chief Femi Mokikan as President-General of the Okun Development Association (ODA), umbrella socio-cultural and developmental organization of the Yoruba people in Kogi State.

ODA is gearing up for its annual national congress scheduled to take place on Friday, March 8th, and Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at the Ayisat Adedayo Multipurpose Event Centre in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Council, Kogi State.

During the two-day event, a new Executive Committee will be elected to lead the ODA, marking the conclusion of the tenure of the current Executive Committee under the leadership of the outgoing president-general, Mokikan.

In his personally signed letter of intent addressed to Okun compatriots, home and in diaspora, Rotimi aligned his desire to lead the ODA with his vision that the organisation “at this momentous stage of our history” require patriotic kinsmen/women who will identify and pursue the collective dreams and aspirations of the Okun people.

The declaration statement reads: “You are aware that the tenure of the current ODA Executive Committee will soon come to an end. A new team of Okun men and women who are committed to the defence of the interest of the Okun Nation is expected to assume leadership of our central organization during the National Convention, which will take place on 9th March, 2024. At the saddle of ODA leadership, especially at this momentous stage of our history, we require patriotic kinsmen/women who will identify and pursue our collective dreams and aspirations. At the appropriate time, the details of this vision will be espoused. In view of this development, I wish to respectfully inform you that I have submitted my candidacy for the office of President-General
of ODA, for which I hereby solicit your endorsement, support and
prayers”.

Rotimi, who is the Lisa of Egbeland, was born in Egbe, Kogi State, where he started his early life and education up to Secondary School level when he enrolled at the famous Titcombe College in 1967. In 1972, he attended Government Secondary School, Ilorin for his High School Certificate (HSC). As a young man, he had his early work experience as a teacher at St. Kizito’s College, Isanlu and ECWA Secondary School (ESMO), Mopa, Kogi State. In pursuit of tertiary education, Amb.
Rotimi attended the Universities of Benin (1975-78), Ife (1979 – 80)
and Jos (1989-90). He attended the mandatory one year Foreign
Service Academy in 1983.
Upon completion of the National Youth Service in 1979, he was
employed at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Lagos as a News Editor/Current Affairs Officer. But his love for the Foreign Service could not be dimmed by the allure of journalism. So, in 1981, after three attempts, he finally joined the then Ministry of External Affairs and served there in various locations and capacities until he was appointed Nigeria’s pioneer High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Sri Lanka.

While in the Foreign Service, Amb. Rotimi served Nigeria both at
home and overseas. During his over three decades in the Diplomatic
Service, he was posted to eight Nigerian missions, namely: Canada,
Poland, the Philippines, Thailand, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka.
Apart from heading three separate Nigerian Embassies abroad –
Portugal, Germany and Sri Lanka – he also held important portfolios as
Director, Office of The Minister of Foreign Affairs; Director, Trade and
Investment Department; Director, Bilateral Economic Cooperation, and
conclusion of several Economic and Trade Agreements between Nigeria and numerous countries, including Japan, UAE, Kuwait, Angola, Sri
Lanka, Germany, Portugal, U.S.A, etc. As Head of Mission in Lisbon, he
organized the first Nigeria – Portugal Business Forum. As Charge
D’Affaires in Berlin he established the Nigerian – German Bi-National
Commission (BNC) in 2012, which till date forms the bedrock of Nigerian- German relations.
Since retirement from Public Service, Amb. Rotimi has contributed to
several community development projects that impact positively on the
health, education, and socio-economic upliftment of His people. He has been a mentor to several generations of youths, many of which he has supported in obtaining public and private sector employments.
Aside from his passion for environmental preservation, this veteran
Diplomat also has interest in areas as diverse as cultural activities and
property development. Apart from his Chairmanship of the LISATECH
Group of Companies, a multiservice outfit, Ambassador ROTIMI is on the Board of other fledging companies. He was a two term member of the Joint Advisory Board of the ECWA Hospital, and Pioneer member of the Governing Council of ECWA College of Nursing Sciences, EGBE. Recently, he served as the National Coordinator for the establishment of the Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Egbe.
It was in consideration of his meritorious service to country and to
community that His Royal Highness, Oba Ayodele Irukera, the Elegbe
of Egbe and Chairman of Yagba West Traditional Council, in October
2015 conferred on this illustrious son of Egbe/Okun land, the highly
exalted Chieftaincy title of Lisa of Egbeland.