In view of the current security situation and the wave of communal clashes in some parts of the country,traditional rulers in Kogi State have been charged not to abdicate their role as agents of stability in their various domains.
Governor Idris Wada gave the charge at the weekend, during the final outing service for the late Elegbe of Egbe, and Chairman Yagba West Traditional Council, Oba Stanley Kayode Owa, held at First ECWA Church, Egbe, Yagba West Local council.
Oba S.K. Owa, a retired Major who ascended the Elegbe of Egbe stool in 1996 joined his ancestors on October 27, 2013, aged 71 years.
While noting that one of the key functions of the traditional institution is for the royal fathers to constantly sensitize their wards on the need to rise against tendencies of communal strife in their communities towards achieving lasting stability, Kogi State, the governor explained, is currently rated one of the most peaceful in the federation and therefore every hand must be on desk to sustain the rating.
He warned that on no account must the traditional rulers allow any towns or villages in the state to drift into the wave of communal clashes witnessed in some part of the country, a situation he said has further heightened tension in the land amidst the killings of innocent souls, particularly in the North East region by the Boko Haram insurgents.
The security situation in the country , he reiterated, therefore demands that the royal fathers should double their efforts in ensuring peaceful cohesiveness among their wards and peaceful co-existence with other citizens living in their communities as well as their neighbouring communities.
Governor Wada who was represented at the ceremony by the Head of Kogi State Civil Service, Dr Moses Atakpa, however enthused that from the testimonies rendered during the service, the late Oba Owa was a stabilizer during his reign as the Elegbe of Egbe. The governor sympathized with and condoled the Ile -Nla, Okedisin Royal family on the transition of Oba SK Owa “after meritorious service to the nation, to the state, to Okunland and his domain”.
According to the governor, “Oba Owa was reputed for his candour, ebullience and vivacity. He was a firm believer in community development, culminating in his assumption of the highly revered stool of Elegbe, a position in which he exuded cohesive capacity.”
He added that the late royal father ,no doubt, brought the rich experiences of his military service and his entrepreneural skills to immense application during his reign.
Obaro of Kabba who is also Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Michael Olobayo said death had come to visit Oba Owa “so early ” at 71 years of age. Describing his passage as a “monumental loss”, the Obaro pointed out that the Okun Council of Chiefs of which the late Elegbe was a leading member was consoled by the fact that the deceased lived a good life, leaving behind legacies that are worthy of commendation. Major SA Joseph,who representated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah and the Commander, Command Army Records, Lokoja, Major General YM Abubakar, described the late monarch as a firm, gallant, professional soldier and a gentleman officer who merited his promotions through the ranks before his retirement as a Major.
First and eldest son of Oba Owa, Dr Oluwole Owa extolled the memorable attributes of his late father as a principled disciplinarian and yet a father with “incomparable and tenacious love for children” who provided his siblings with equal opportunities to actualize their life ambitions. Above all things, the younger Owa testified that his late father towered above his peers having refused to join occultism throughout his reign “but (instead) decided to pitch his camp with the Lord “.
