By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja
Many people of Ebira extraction in Lokoja, Kogi state on Saturday, trooped to the palace of their traditional ruler, the Odeyani Anebira of Lokoja, Alhaji Maiyaki Audu Otonku to felicitate with the monarch on his 116th birthday and ten years on the throne.
A correspondent of The Reporters, who covered the colourful event, reports that the traditional ruler, agile-looking, was seen flanked by his title holders, children, grant and great grant children, beaming smiles and thanking God for sustaining his life.
The Odeyani,who also thanked his title holders and the entire ebira community in lokoja and beyond, for their support which he noted with delight contributed immensely to his success as a third class monarch, called on them not to relent in such effort.
The traditional ruler,who commended the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for upgrading his stool to third class, prayed God to guide and guard the Governor, to enable him continue his good programmes and policies for the people of the state.
He, however, urged the Governor to equip his new office with befitting facilities such as office accommodation and a car among others, to enable him serve his subjects effectively.
The monarch,who prayed for the peace and progress of kogi state and Nigeria at large, advised Nigerians, particularly in Kogi state to stay out of trouble to enable government move the country to the next level of development.
Our correspondent further reports that the secretary to the Chairman of the Odeyani Anebira of Lokoja,Engr.William Salawu, the Secretary,Com.Moses Momoh and the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Momoh Obaito, in their remarkd, commended Governor for upgrading the office of the monarch but reiterated the need to match that with befitting paraphernalia of staff.
Highpoint of the occasion was the turbanning of the eldest son of the monarch,Malam Adamu,who was bestowed with the title of Chiroma in the council.
The traditional ruler,who described Adamu as a man of impeccable character with immense contributions to the peace and progress of Ebira community in lokoja, called on him not to betray the confidence reposed in him to warrant giving him such an important title.
The monarch also advised the new Chiroma to continue to emulate him by making the love of the people, their welfare and unity his top priority in his interaction with the people, in consonance with his new status.