*** As residents pay traditional homage to him at reception ground
By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Lokoja Traditional Title Holders Council on Thursday held a grand reception in honour of the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Maikarfi IV on his appointment.
The ceremony was held at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Lokoja Traditional Title Holders Council, Senator Tunde Ogbeh, told the mammoth gathering that the Council, decided to hold the reception “in our true tradition to rejoice with our new Maigari of Lokoja on his appointment and coronation.
He noted that Lokoja is blessed to have someone like Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir as the Maigari of Lokoja, according to him, ” on behalf of all the the traditional title holders in Lokoja expressed appreciation to all those indigenes who graciously attended this programme”, he said.
Sen. Ogbeha further stressed the need for given maximum support and cooperation to the newly installed Maigari of Lokoja, saying that he was very happy that the event attracted all the people from Lokoja community and all the traditional title holders from Lokoja and neighbouring areas in Kogi state.
In his remarks, Rt. Honourable Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf Aliyu pledged the full support of the state Government, congratulated the new monarch and also prayed for his successful reign on throne.
“On behalf of the Kogi state government, I congratulate you on this momentous and historic occasion.
“We assure you of our full support, describing the late Maigari of lokoja , the late father of the new traditional ruler as a principled and forthright monarch who contributed to the development of Lokoja, Kogi state and the country.
He urged the new Maigari to sustain the legacy left behind by his ancestors.
“We thank of you for honouring our invitation and pray God to continue to bless you all, guide and protect our new Maigari.
In his thank you message, the Maigari said; “In the name of Allah the most Beneficent and the most Merciful, | am
pleased to congratulate all our Muslim Ummah on the successful observance of this year Ramadan Fasting and the Idel Fitr which marks the end of that one Spiritual exercise.
“I sincerely urge all of us to strive hard to sustain those virtues and show exemplary life in the society in conformity with the life style and teachings of our noble Prophet Muhammed ( SAW). Fasting, and indeed Islam, teaches us to be loyal and obedient to constituted authorities and to maintain peace and tranquility in the society. Consequently, | am using this opportunity to plead with all our citizens to be loyal and obedient to our leaders at the three tiers of government. That is an essential requirement for meaningful development to thrive in the state and Nigeria as a whole,
“This Idel Fitr is the first sallah to be presided over by me following my appointment as Maigari of Lokoja by Kogi State Government. While expressing my profound gratitude to the immediate past Governor of the state His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello and his Successor Alh Ahmed Ododo Usman for conveying the appointment to me, | want to assure the government and all our citizens of Lokoja.
“Let me also thank you all for your supports or roles in the selection for my emergence as the new Maigari of Lokoja as well as the appointment. That has made the celebration more glamorous, unprecedented in the history of Lokoja. God owns the glory.
“My thanks also goes to Lokoja Kingmakers Council, Lokoja Traditional Title Holders Council, Lokoja Indigenous Peoples Forum of Patriots as well as other groups and individuals for their support for me. | will not disappoint them.
“The climax of this Idel Fitr celebration is the reception being organized in my honour by Lokoja Traditional Title Holders Council.
” Lokoja was established on a solid foundation of unity, peace and freedom. We must all do everything within our means to keep that foundation solid and firm always.
“I wish all of us a peaceful celebration of Eid Fitr and the reception.
“May God spare our lives to witness more of such celebrations in the future”, the royal father prayed.
Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the Lokoja Traditional Title Holders Council, Alhaji Ali Lawal expressed gratitude to the top government officials, traditional rulers, politicians and illustrious sons and daughters of Lokoja who came to grace the occasion.
“I wish to also express our gratitude to all our community leaders for voluntarily giving their all – in cash and kind – to hold this reception in honour of the Maigari. By this gesture, we feel encouraged.
Distinguished guests at the event, notably the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Aliyu Umar Yusuf, House of Representatives member representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Hon. Sulaiman Danladi Aguye, Chairman, Lokoja local government area, Hon Abdullahi Adamu, Islamic Clerics, market men and women, Hakimis, top government officials, politicians and a host of others.
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