Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole has expressed sadness over the news of the demise of Atta of Igala Kingdom and President, Kogi State Traditional Council, Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II, who joined his ancestors after a brief illness.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, the Speaker described the demise of the late monarch as “a colossal loss not only to Igala kingdom, Kogi state, Nigeria but to the entire humanity whom he served diligently while alive.”
“Just about forty two days ago, precisely on the 17th of July, 2020, His Royal Majesty, Atta Ameh Oboni II was in high spirit to receive the entire members of the Kogi State House of Assembly in his palace in Idah on their way to Ejule Ojebe in Ibaji Local Government Area to bid farewell to one of their colleagues who died in June, Hon, Monday John Abbah.
“In his words, he charged the members of the 7th Assembly to use the institution of the State Legislative Arm to unite all segments of the state, recounting his experience with nostalgia while in St Augustine’s College, Kabba between 1961 and 67 for his post primary school education.
“I never knew that encounter would be the last time he will have the opportunity of meeting with him again in life,” he said.
Kolawole condoled Governor Yahaya Bello, the government of Kogi state, the immediate family and the entire people of Igala kingdom over the sudden demise of “a humane monarch who reigned to promote the peace and development of not only his people but the entire state.”
In similar vein, the member representing Ankpa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims has joined other Nigerians to commiserate with the Igala nation as the 27th Attah Igala embarks on a journey to the beyond.
In a statement personally signed by the Halims on Saturday, the federal lawmaker said he received the news of the eternal ancestral journey embarked upon by the revered monarch with immense sadness and a deep feeling of national loss.
He called on all people of goodwill to pray for the stability, sustained peace, unity, harmony and continuous development of Igala land.
“On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency, I commiserate with the royal house and all the people of Kogi State over whom the departed Attah presided illustriously as traditional ruler for almost a decade.
“I am mourning the monarch whose uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Kogi State combined to make him one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country during his very successful reign,” Hon Halims said.
He also said he believes that the Attah will always be remembered and honoured by the people of Igala nation and all Kogites for his immense wisdom and competence as a traditional ruler, as well as for using his exalted throne to build bridges of unity, friendship and harmony across the state.
He prays that God will grant the good people of Kogi, and most particularly Igala Kingdom a worthy successor who will carry on his good works and wise rule for the well-being and benefit of all.
