There are strong indications that the burial and funeral ceremony of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Michael Olobayo, OON, JP, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of Okun Area Traditional Council which was earlier slated for last weekend 12th and 13th August, 2016 may not be soon as the date fix for the event has been postpone indefinitely.
The issue which is currently generating controversy among the people of Okun land and Kabba community in particular, as most people alleged that Governor Yahaya Bello has refused to comply with the demands of the family as the law require for the burial of such as officer of his status.
According to an impeccable source close to the family, confirmed that the postponement is due to the non – cooperation of the State Government to provide the required logistics for the successful hosting of the event, hence they have no alternative than to change the earlier date slated for the occasion.
The source further confirmed that the State Government is not coming forth, as what is require of them, is not been done.
Meanwhile, information emanating from the government house, Lokoja, confirmed that, Governor Yahaya Bello has a great respect for the late Monarch whom he considered as a father, noting that he was one of the royal fathers he visited to seek for counsel before and during his electioneering campaigns.
The information further revealed that it was as a result of the high respect the Governor had for the late Obaro that made him send a powerful delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Mrs. Arike Ayoade to pay a condolence visit to both the family and Kabba Traditional Council.
According to the statement, the State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello has done everything that needed to be done for the smooth and successful burial of the late Monarch whom he hold in highest esteem.
The statement further confirmed that the postponement was at the instant of the family who officially requested for the change of date, pointing out that the Church schedule to hold the service for the burial is said to be going for retreat, hence they need a new date.
In the same vein, information reaching our news desk also confirmed that the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State has comply with the directives of the Governor on the burial of the Obaro, being a state officer, a first class chief.
However, efforts to get the Regent of the community, His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Yusuf, the Obadofin of Oweland, on tape prove abortive, as each time our reporter visited his palace in Kabba, he is said to have traveled.
But sources close to the regent confirmed that the royal father does not even know what is happening as regard the burial and the purported postponement of the event, alleging that the family is hiding information from him.
Meanwhile, prominent members of the community who commented on the postponement but don’t want his names on prints decried the delay of the burial of the Monarch as a taboo and not in line with the custom and tradition of Kabba – Owe people.
According to him, the tradition only allows three months for the mourning of the Obaro during which he will be giving a befitting burial and at the same time the new Obaro will emerge at the end of the three months mourning.
It will be recalled that the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of Okun Area Tradition Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Olobayo was announced dead on the 13th of May, 2016 and the by 13th August, 2016, the three months will lapse.
