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Kabba also known as Owe land is the headquarters of the old Kabba Province situated on latitude 07.5 oN and longitude 06o E in Kogi State, Nigeria. The ancient town is also the headquarters of the Okun nation; the Yorubas in Kogi State.
The people of Kabba speak the Yoruba dialect known as Owe which literarily translated to mean proverb.
According to oral tradition, Owe was originally the name given to Oba Obakayeja, father of the three brothers who migrated from Ile-Ife to establish Kabba about 2000 years ago. The three brothers were known as Aro, Reka and Balaja.
On arrival at their new domain after several other settlements, the trio established Katu, Kabba and Odolu. These names, which are according to their seniority, stemmed out of the description of the names they gave their settlements.
According to history, the eldest of the trio; Aro headed Katu, Reka who followed headed Kabba while their youngest one, Balaja headed Odolu.
Later, the three settlements developed into one entity jointly called Oweland and constitute the three ruling groups.
The settlements lived in different location but a lot of political and economic activities and family bondage made them merge into one unit with Kabba settlement as centre.
Each group through procreation developed into lineages that formed a total of the thirteen clans with three from Katu, six from Kabba and four from Odolu.
It is on record that at inception, Kabba was ruled by a-three-tier body of Chiefs also known as the Ololus who are Obaro, Obadofin and Obajemu.
Each of the three is a titled chief but the Obaro was the paramount ruler and spokesman for the kingdom and it is the responsibility of the three to maintain law and order as well as guide and guard the people on spiritual matters as well as delegate functions to the people.
Following the Ololus in hierarchy are the Orota title chiefs who are two titled chiefs. The Orotas are headed by Obani, who is one of the kingmakers. The Orotas are advisers to the Ololus and assist in the running of the kingdom’s affairs.
There are also the Igemos who are one titled chiefs. They have the mandate of executing the decisions and policies of the Ololus. Below the Igemos are the Gbarufus meaning the masses, who have not taken any title. This was the order of hierarchy in the Kabba kingdom before the advent of colonial rule.
Since the inception of Kabba, history has it that forty four Obaros have ascended the stool including the Late Oba Michael Olobayo.
It is worthy of note that the Obaro of Kabba is the Chairman of Okun Area Traditional Council.
On July 19, 2018, Kogi State Government under the pragmatic leadership of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, doused the long anxiety of Owe people and announced Chief Solomon Dele Owoniyi, as the Obaro-elect to replace the late Obaro, Oba Michael Olobayo .
The pronouncement of Oba Solomon Owoniyi, a Prince from the Ijemu lineage of Odolu Royal Group, was received with accolades.
The peaceful conduct of the people before, during and after the announcement is a sign of acceptance and good thing to come in Kabba and the indeed Okun Nation.
Since the last Obaro, Oba Michael Olobayo joined his ancestors early in 2016, precisely on May 16th, Kabba people have held their breath in their mouths in view of the crisis that erupted in 1985 due to the protest that accompanied his ascension to the throne.
The processes leading to the choice and pronouncement of Oba Solomon Owoniyi by the state government as the Obaro-elect was not an easy task as no fewer than six contestants from within and outside his royal group also vied for the exalted throne but destiny has its way and the rest is history.
The new Obaro of Kabba, HRM Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, Obaro Otitoleke Oweyomade 1, Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, was born on January 1, 1957 into the family of Mr & Mrs Timothy Owoniyi in the ancient city of Ile-Ife in the present day Osun State.
He started his Primary School Education there in 1964 and later moved to Saint Andrew’s Primary School, Egbeda, Kabba Kogi State in 1966 where he got his first School Leaving Certificate in 1970.
In 1971, he proceeded to Ijumu Anglican Secondary School, Iyara Kogi State and graduated in 1975. In the same year he got admitted into the Jos Campus of University of Ibadan for his preliminary studies. In 1976, as result of changes in the institution he and many others undergraduate students were moved to Ibadan, the mother Campus where he graduated with a degree in History in 1979.
During his undergraduate days, as a result of his love to serve his community at a tender age, he served as National President of Kabba Students’ Union, in 1978 where he performed with zeal and passion.
He participated in the one year compulsory National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in Niger State. Immediately after his service due to his diligence and hard work, heaven smiled on him and he got employed as a News Editor with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). After a meritorious service with NTA he got another fantastic employment opportunity with the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS). in 1988 and to the glory of God he retired in year 2015 as the Deputy Comptroller.
He is married and blessed with children.
Chief Owoniyi is a community developer, who has contributed tremendously to the growth and development of our dear community. A silent achiever, father to the fatherless, role model, an icon of hope and peace, a true ambassador of Owe Kingdom.
His emergence and appointment without mincing word is a welcome development and a thing of joy to the Owe people, Okun Nation and Kogi State in general.
As Kabba sons and daughters gather tomorrow for the presentation of staff of office to Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the people of Kabba must be commended for their peaceful conduct during the announcement of his appointment.
Governor Yahaya Bello must be applauded for following due process in the appointment of the paramount ruler and for the wisdom with which he handled those that were aggrieved.
The people of Kabba should continue to maintain the existing peace as no society can develop in an atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.
Also, youths of the community must avoid acts capable of truncating their future and avoid whatever will affect the existing peace and harmony in the community.
It is on this note that all and sundry must support the amiable, pragmatic and vibrant Oba Solomon Oladele Owoniyi in his quest to maintain peace and attract development to the community.
The state government must also revisit the rehabilitation of Kabba township road which is not in good condition.
Although Stakeholders of Owe both at home and in Diaspora have been doing their best for the development of the area, they must unite more and live as one nation bound in love and unity as well as invest in the community to provide jobs for the teaming youths and boost business activities.
By so doing, the ancestors and founding fathers of Owe Kingdom will be proud that their effort to build a united, peaceful and prosperous community was not in vain.
– Emmanuel Oluwakorede
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