By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje.
The new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Some co-contestants for the stool of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland have congratulated and prayed for the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland ,Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje.
Our correspondent reports that, Alhaji Anaje emerged the winner of the screening exercise conducted for the stool and his appointment was announced by the kogi state governor,Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Lokoja on Monday.
One of the contestants for the throne of Ohinoyi stool, Alhaji Saki, Mohammed Sanni,in his congratulatory message to the traditional ruler,for the new Ohinoyi congratulated the new traditional ruler.
He said,” I,Alhaji Saki, Mohammed Sanni & my family, one of the Aspirants to the Stool of the Ohinoyi heartily Congratulate the New Ohinoyi and his entire family.
“I pray to Almighty Allah to guide and direct him towards a very Peaceful Reign.
“I call on all the Aspirants and the Sons and Daughters of Ebira Land to support the New Ohinoyi while moving our father land to the next level.
“It is my prayer that Ebira tribe shall be among the notable tribes in the scheme of things.
Peace, cooperation, forgiveness and love for one another are keys to our collective progress, therefore, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant the New Ohinoyi the wisdom to achieve the aforementioned. Long live the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land.
Another contestant and one time deputy governor of the state,Phillips Salawu,also congratulated the new Ohinoyi.
He said, “I congratulate you on your appointment by the Kogi State Government as our new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
“I wish you a peaceful and prosperous reign.”
Salawu recalled that he had earlier resolved to support whoever emerged as the new Ohinoyi at the end of screening of for the stool.
He added:” Yes! It is my wish to be the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland but if “I don’t eventually emerge, I will support him because power belongs to God. Any one who knows me will tell you that I am never desperate for any position.”
The Reporters recalls that 70 aspirants, including a female professor, Angela Okatahi, contested for the Ohinoyi stool.
Dr.Abdulrahman Ado Ibrahim,aged 94, the fourth traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland,died during an illness in Abuja on Oct.29,2023 and was buried according Islamic rites in his Azad Palace in Okene.
Some members of the public who spoke with our correspondent on the appointment of the new Ohinoyi, commended the seamless process that defined the screening of the contestants and the spirit of good sportsmanship displayed by the contestants.
