…..Visit Ohimegy’s graves at Ahuta Okpaka, Ohetenye Girinya.

By Yahaya Idris, Kogi.

His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isah-Koto, Chairman Koton-Karfe- Lokoja traditional council of chiefs, has restated his sincere commitment to promoting cultural values and heritage as a way of strengthening the bond of unity and harmony among the diverse people of the Egbira nation.

The first-class traditional ruler was speaking on Tuesday when he led some stakeholders including Ondaki Ogbani, high chiefs in council, Egbira sons and daughters to a historical Ahuta Ohimegye (late Ohimegyes and Queen Mother’s graves situated at Okpaka community in Koton-Karfe, Kogi local government area of the State.

He said some of the graves has been there for many years ranging from over 700, 500, 400 and 300 years respectively.

Ohimegye who underscored the importance of the traditional institution in maintaining history and traditions, appealed to the Egbiras not to allow their rich cultural values and heritage go into extinction.

At the Iraki community, Ohimegye and his entourage stopover to pay homage to the royal father before he proceeded to the Girinya community.

While at Girinya to inspect Ohimegye Ahetenye grave, said there is a need to promote unity in diversity as well as to ensure that young people get acquainted with the historical and cultural values of their communities.

While praising the Egbiras for sustaining the annual cultural tour, which is aimed at showcasing the cultural heritage of the people of the Chiefdom, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isah-Koto urged other traditional rulers to initiate programs and events that will help to entrench peace, unity, and tranquillity among the different ethno-religious groups in their respective domains.

He stated that “All of us are products of our own cultures and traditions. So we must strive to maintain our historical values and heritage, advance them and encourage our young ones to imbibe our good cultures “.

Speaking shortly after the tour, Executive Chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Barr. Muhammed Tanko Musa Osuku commends His Royal Majesty, Ohimegye Igu (Agaba Idu) for maintaining this tradition for quite a while and I enjoin other traditional rulers to emulate him and replicate this in their domains”.

He described Ohimegye as a Man of culture who is working assiduously to ensure it does not go into extinction as a symbol of unity,  not only for the people of Koton-Karfe Kingdom but for the entire Egbira race and the nation as a whole.

The former Administrator of the Kogi local government also used the occasion to congratulate Ohimegye for this year’s Eid-El-Khabir celebration.

According to him, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isah-Koto has placed the Igu Kingdom on the path of economic prosperity through his sincere commitment, people’s oriented policies, and programs aimed at bettering the lots of the people.

Barr. Tanko who is also the Dan-masani Igu Kingdom said Ohimegye encourages and promotes culture and tourism for the socio-economic development of the Kingdom and beyond. He prayed to Allah to continue to protect him, and grant him sound health and prerequisite wisdom so that he will continue to contribute to the development of his Kingdom.

Earlier, the Matawallen Igu Kingdom, Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf Ohikwura, said the program was initiated to preserve the cultural heritage of the people of Igu Kingdom and to promote unity and intercultural cooperation.

He thanked all the guests for honoring the paramount ruler’s invitation saying their presence, saying their presence makes the event unprecedented and will remain indelible in their hearts.

There was a goodwill message from the Special Adviser on security to the Chairperson of Kogi LG, Hon. Musa Nasir Kutepa thanked Ohimegye for the opportunity he accorded them to be part of the rich Egbira history. He said they have learned, seen it, and will ensure they pass what they saw and learned through the leadership of the paramount ruler of Igu Koton-Karfe Kingdom.

Global Times Nigeria report that the event was held in a peaceful atmosphere and hundreds of people accompanied Ohimegye to those historical sites. Special prayer offer for the peaceful repose of former royal fathers who died during their reigns.