Uphold Unity, Development Of Igala Kingdom – Audu To Eje Ankpa

By Georgina Humphrey

Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has appealed to the Eje of Ankpa, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yakubu Ahmadu to preserve his father’s legacies in upholding unity, growth and development of Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and the nation.

Prince Audu stated this at the Presentation of Staff of Office to the 4th Eje of Ankpa by Governor Yahaya Bello in Ankpa.

Audu, while extending his warm wishes to the monarch said his late father, Abubakar Audu and the Late Eje, Yakubu Ahmadu shared common values of fostering unity, growth and development, legacies which they should preserve.

“I am confident that with his educational background, wealth of experience in the public and private sectors and in business development, he will, beyond his traditional and religious roles, attract great investments to the great Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and Nigeria” the Steel minister stressed.

The Minister expressed optimism that with the presentation of Staff of Office to the Royal Father his rulership would provoke notable development and prosperity in the land and the country at large.

“As he sits on the throne of his ancestors, I pray that Almighty Allah guide and direct him to lead his people in peace, unity, love and harmony that will bring notable development and prosperity to Ankpa, the entire Igala Kingdom and Kogi State” Audu emphasized.

“The Ejeh of Ankpa is not novel to the throne. As one who was born into royalty and watched his father and grand-father rule the people in peace, unity and prosperity, he would rule to exceed the accomplishments of his anscestors.

“It is a prayer that every child becomes greater than his father, and so, I wish the Ejeh of Ankpa success, and many years of greatness and accomplishments on the throne.

“My relationship with His Royal Highness dates back to the times of our fathers, who shared the same values of fostering the unity, growth and development of the Igala Kingdom.

The Minister commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the respect he has for the traditional institution and particularly, for the sacred stool of the Ejeh of Ankpa as well as his insistence that the right heir should ascend the throne.

He urged the people of Ankpa to live peacefully and united under the reign of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yakubu Ahmadu, irrespective of their religious and political affiliations.

The presentation of the Staff of Office, performed by Governor Yahaya Bello was witnessed by the Minister alongside the State APC Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and His Royal Majesty, the Attah of Igala, Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa.

Others are the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Kastina State, and the former Governor of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema, among numerous dignitaries who graced the event.

Edited By Grace Namiji