Traditional rulers in the Kogi Central Senatorial District have been charged to use their positions as royal fathers to foster unity and peace in their respective domains.
The Kogi State Head of Civil Service, Elijah Evinemi, gave the charge on Thursday during his tour of palaces of traditional rulers across the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.
Evinemi said the royal fathers, being custodians of the culture and traditions of the people, have significant roles to play in ensuring absolute peaceful coexistence among the diverse clans in the community.
The Head of Service, whose first point of call was the Ohi of Ihima’s palace in Ihima, told the first-class traditional ruler that the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been advocating for peace in Ihima and the entire state, noting that without peace, unity, and common understanding, no community can achieve the desired development.
“I am paying this homage to all traditional rulers in Ihima today, first to formally present myself as the Head of Service appointed by His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and, secondly, to appreciate the governor for the favour done to Ihima people through this appointment.
“I am also visiting the palaces to inform the traditional rulers that the current administration has a lot of developmental plans for the people of Ihima and, indeed, the entire Okehi Local Government. It is crucial that without cooperation and speaking with one voice as an indivisible entity, it will be difficult to achieve the development plans the government has for our people.
“That is why I am passionately appealing to all the traditional rulers in Ihima to set aside any past grievances so that we can benefit from the rare opportunities God has presented to the people of Ihima in this dispensation.
“It will also interest you to know, Your Royal Highness, that Ihima has a Senator, House of Representatives member, Commissioner, Special Advisers, Head of Service, and numerous other political appointees. This is the time we should unite so that we can collectively translate these appointments into the development of Ihima,” the HOS stated.
Responding, the Ohi of Ihima, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ogido Abdulraheem, revealed that no clan in Ihima has been left out of the benefits from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, declaring that Ihima people have no reason not to cooperate and support the government.
The royal father described the appointment of Mr. Elijah Evinemi as a round peg in a round hole, noting that Ihima community and its people would continue to be grateful to the governor for the appointment.
“Without mincing words, Governor Ododo has done a lot for us. Currently, as I am speaking, there are constructions and rehabilitations of some township roads ongoing in Ihima, in addition to the political appointments the governor graciously offered to us. God will continue to bless him, the Head of Service, and all those working with the governor,” the royal father said.
At the palace of the Idu of Oha, His Royal Highness Adai Salawu Hassan Aje commended the HOS for the visit, saying, “Anyone who believes in his origin and remembers home can never regret his actions.”
He promised that, as traditional rulers, they would continue to ensure peace reigns in the community and appealed to all the appointees from Ihima to do their best in uplifting the image of Governor Ododo’s government.
Also, at the palace of the Obobanyi of Ohionwa, the royal father, Dr. Jimoh Eneji Ahmed, assured the HOS that, as traditional rulers, they would join hands to ensure there is peace in Ihima town and thanked Governor Ododo for appointing their son as Kogi State Head of Service.
The HOS visited other traditional rulers, including the Ohiomata of Odumi, Chief James Otaru; the Ogubanyibanyi Aninyere of Ihima, Chief Yakubu Sunday; the Ogasube of Ure of Ihima; the Obobanyi of Ohueta, HRH Omonori Zubairu; and the Ava’abe of Averehi of Ihima, among others.
