Kogi State government has set up a committee on the selection of a new Obaro of Kabba and the Ejeh of Anpka.
A statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday by the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the committee was inaugurated on behalf of Gov. Yahaya Bello by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade.
The statement was signed by Mr Jordan Akpata, Information Officer, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the stool of Obaro of Kabba became vacant in August following the transition of the late Oba Michael Olobayo, who ruled the community for 32 years.
The stool of the Ejeh of Ankpa is also vacant; the last holder, Alhaja Ahmadu Yakubu died in September this year
The committee, which has Mr Edward Onoja the Chief of Staff to the governor as chairman, would recommend qualified and rightful candidates to fill the vacant traditional stools.
The statement quoted Ayoade as saying that the terms of reference of the committee includes initiating the process of filling the vacant stools, monitor and supervise the process of filling them.
She said the committee also had the mandate to retrieve and forward the staff of office and any other government property kept by the family or relations of the deceased traditional rulers.
Ayoade charged the committee to abide by the principles of fairness, justice and equity in the discharge of its assignment.
She said that government holds the traditional institution in high regard, stressing that the roles of traditional rulers in the development of the society should not be toyed with.
Meanwhile the government has directed two traditional rulers, the Ohi of Ihima, Chief Ahmed Abdulraheem and the Obobanyi of Emani, Chief Samuel Onimisi to ensure peace in their domains or be deposed.
Alhaji Abubakar Ohere, Special Adviser to the governor on local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, gave the directive during a meeting with the two traditional rulers.
He warned that the lingering dispute in some Ihima communities should not be allowed to degenerate.
He charged them to ensure peace and harmony in their domains to attract more government projects.
Ohere also directed the Administrator of Okehi Local Government Council to convey a meeting of the two traditional rulers and other stakeholders and relay the decision of the government to them.
In his response, the Administrator, Alhaji Abdulraheem Ohiare thanked the government for the intervention and expressed his readiness to abide by the directive.
– NAN
