,,,,,End of an era-Children, others.
By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
His Royal Highness, the Odeyani Anebira of Lokoja, Kogi State, Alhaji Audu Abdullahi Mayaki Otonoku, has passed away.
A child of the late ruler, Daudu Abubakar Audu, informed The Reporters correspondent in Lokoja on Sunday while breaking the The sad news in an interview.
Daudu Abubakar, who said that he witnessed the last moments of his late father,said the deceased told him to tell his kingmakers to maintain the concept of love and unity that defined his reign, forgive each other’s wrong and eschew grudges,for the peace and progress of Ebiraland and kogi state in general.
According to him, the second class traditional ruler, who died in a private hospital in Lokoja early Sunday morning, was 125 years old, adding that the deceased was installed as Odeyani Ebira of Lokoja ur correspondent, who visited the late ruler’s palace, observed that many sympathizers were present, signing condolence messages.
Some kingmakers, known as Daudus at the palace of the traditional ruler to offer prayer for the reposed soul of the deceased on Sunday.
In interviews with our correspondent, several sympathizers, including the Daudus,described the Odeyani Ebira of Lokoja as a leader whose reign brought significant peace, unity, progress and improvement to the Ebira community in Lokoja and the surrounding areas.
As at the time of this report, preparations were being made for the burial of the late traditional ruler.
The late Odeyani Anebira is survived by wives, many children,grand and great grand children and relations.
Special prayer for the late traditional ruler at the Lokoja Centra mosque,led by the Chief Imam,Alhaji Muhammadu Animu Shaban.
Hundreds of Muslims who turned up.at Muslim burial ground,angwan kura to pay their last respect for the late traditional ruler.
The life and time of the Odeyani Anebira of Lokoja,His Royal Highness, Alhaji Audu Abdullahi Otonoku(1899-2024).
He was seen here in the middle in a group picture with his kingmakers, also known as Daudus and other prominent Ebira extractions,during a public function few years ago in Lokoja.
Many Ebira extractions and other mourners have been visiting the Odeyani Anebira’s place to register their congolence messages.
A title holder in Ebiraland, the Ametuo of Ebiraland, Engr. Stephen Raji,in a statement available to The Reporters on Monday in Lokoja, said,”May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace for a life well spent in community development.
