Gov. Bello Presents Staff of Office to the new Ohimagye Igu of Koton Karfe, HRM Dr. Saidu Akawu
_…As Kogi Governor-Elect, Speaker, Atta Igala, Ona of Abaji Others Attend Coronation ceremony_
By Charles Ojo
The outgoing Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has presented the Staff of office to the newly appointed Ohimagye Igu of Koton-Karfe in his palace as the 27th Ohimagye Igu of Koton-Karfe.
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Governor Bello said the presentation of the staff of office is done “in line with his power as the governor of the state.”
He said:“In exercise of the power, I hereby confirm HRM Saidu Akawu Salihu as the Ohimagye Igu of Koton-Karfe Kingdom.
“I will hand over the instrument to the office and I will also hand over the staff of office.”
The monarch was until his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, is the Board Chairman of Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
In his acceptance speech, the Ohimagye Igu said,:”I give gratitude to Allah and Governor Yahaya Bello who Allah has used to facilitate the purpose of our gathering here today.
“I also thank each and everyone of you for your unwavering support and trust through which I find the strength and determination to take on this noble role.
“My service is premised on a clear vision. I am very aware of the words that the wisest of Kings recorded for us in the Holy Quran that without a vision, the people perish.
“I promise to serve this vision with all I have, the relationships I have built over the years here in Kogi and Nigeria, the experience I have garnered from running several successful ventures.
“As I have said on several occasions, I have stopped being a politician and now become a shepherd of a people,” Salihu said.
In his charge for cooperation, the paramount ruler said: “For any community to develop, there must be peace, unity and cooperation. Koton-Karfe Igu Kingdom is well documented as a peace loving, united and accommodating community. I call on all sons and daughters of the kingdom, at home and in the diaspora to be united and promote our collective values and cultural antecedent to ensure the continuous growth of our kingdom.
“Let us eschew crime, criminality and other vices that are alien to our culture and inimical to the development of our kingdom,” the monarch stressed.
While the Kogi State Governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Atta of Igala, HRM Matthew Opaluwa Oguche, Ona of Abaji, HRM Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, Secretary to Kogi State government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade were among the dignitaries who graced the coronation of the new Ohimagye Igu of Koton-Karfe HRM Kingdom, HRM Dr. Saidu Akawuin Kogi State, on Wednesday.
Others are Rogan of Eggan, Alhassan Muhammed Umoru, Ohegba of Mozum, HRH, Alhaji Khalid Bukar, traditional rulers, captains of industry and clerics from within and outside the country.
