By Olugbemi Femi – Lokoja
The Elulu of Mopa and Chairman, Mopamuro Local Government Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, has hosted His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, HRM Oba Solomon Owoniyi, and other crème de la crème from all walks of life for his first anniversary on the throne of his forefathers in Mopa land, Kogi State, Nigeria.
The event also has representatives of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello with other bigwigs in the political sector of Nigeria while Secretaries to Government of States of Ekiti, Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kaduna and Kogi counterpart who is their host, Mrs Ayoade Folashade Arike to celebrate the historic moment with the revered monarch who have distinguished himself as a resourceful individual that is focused in developing his community and maintain peace with his people.
Oba Ibeun, in his usual characteristics, eulogized the historic attendance of his first anniversary by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, in Mopa, the heart of Okunland, being the first time the Ooni would visit the entire zone since he assumed office as paramount ruler of Yoruba people worldwide, stressing that he only leaned on the back of the Obaro of Kabba, who is the custodian of Okun nation traditionally in Kogi State.
He also used the occasion to appreciate Governor Usman Ododo for the upgrading of the community infrastructure, like the ongoing construction of Mopa township road, the Kogi State College of Education, Technical, Mopa, and other laudable projects in the community.
He acknowledged the Director General of the National Productivity Center, Mr. Baffa Dan Agundi, who, through his agency, the federal government, has approved to build a benefiting palace for the Elulu of Mopa, added that all is set for the project to commence in a few days.
He said being a monarch is a big task that requires a lot of commitment and dedication, and pointed out that he has been able to introduce programs and policies that will further unite the people to restore the community to its lost glory.
Oba Ibeun said he was overwhelmed by the caliber of monarchs, captains of industries, top men in the security sector, serving and retired, top government functionaries in Kogi State and at the national level, Mopa people, and other well-wishers present at the event.
The event witnessed different types of presentations from the Mopa community, students of the Kogi State University, Kabba, women groups, and hunters to add glamour to the elaborate occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, the Obaro of Kabba and chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi congratulate the Elulu of Mopa for the successful celebration of his one year on the throne, stressing that his happy the Ooni of Ife was able to make it down to Okunland.
He commended Oba Muyiwa Ibeun for making traditional Institutions to be more attractive by bringing knowledge, exposure and candour into royalty, encouraged the younger generation to take up royal responsibilities at their various communities level, saying it is that for the younger people to get involved.
While the Director General of the National Productivity Center, Abuja, Mr Baffa used the opportunity to congratulate the Elulu of Mopa for his commitments to his people, prayed for many years ahead of peaceful reign.
The highlight of the event was the installation of the Secretary to the Government of Kogi, Mrs Ayoade Folashade Arike as the Yeye Oba of Mopa in the presence of the Mrs Daniyan who hold such title during the reign of the immediate past Elulu, Oba Julius Joledo.
The presentation of leadership awards to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Babatunde by the representative of Governor Ododo on behalf of Mopa/Okunland and the commissioning of the palace mannequin built by Oba Ibeun as part of his contributions to provide space to host VIP events and the yearly children’s party by Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi.
Dignitaries at the occasion include the representative of Governor Usman Ododo, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), the entourage of the Ooni of Ife who lead revere monarchs from the southwest states of Osun, Ekiti and Ondo, while the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and Vice Chairman, Kogi State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje also lead delegation of monarchs from Kogi which includes the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, Eje of Akpan, the Olujumu of Ijumu, the Agbana of Isanlu, Elejuku of Ejuku, and other monarchs too numerous to mention.
Other dignitaries include AIG Idowu Owohunwa (rtd), ACG Hussein Ejibunu, Executive Chairman, Mopamuro and Ijumu Local Government Areas, Hon Ademola Bello, Hon. Haruna Ibrahim, respectively, Pro-chancellor, Federal University of Education, Paskin Hon. Funsho Olumoko, Hon. Richard Osaseyi, GM, Kogi State Signage Agency, Hon. Wemi Jones, and Engr. Muhammed Avohi Yusuf, Commissioners for Education and Works, Kogi State, Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Usman Ogbo, Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Kabba, Prof. Eniola Kehinde, Provost, Kogi State College of Education Technical, Mopa, Dr Kabir Ibrahim, Engr. George Olumoroti, MD Lower Niger River Basin, Ilorin, Dr. Femi Olubiyo lead members of the Legend Club of Okunland, the Iyaloja General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu Ojo led market women groups, management of Mangal Cement led by the Managing Director, Engr. Fahal Mangal, Mopa Welfare Society, led by High Chief Albert Olukotun etc
