By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
MINISTER of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has charged the Eje of Ankpa, HRH 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.
The Minister made the call while congratulating the royal father at the Official Presentation of his Staff of Office as the 4th Eje of Ankpa by Governor Yahaya Bello at the Eje Palace on Saturday 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 the unity, growth and development, legacies which they (offsprings) should preserve.
The Minister said he was sure 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.
“I join the people of Ankpa, Kogi State, and millions of Nigerians to congratulate His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yakubu Ahmadu, at his official Presentation of Staff of Office as the 4th Ejeh of Ankpa.
“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.
“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 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.
“We remain grateful to God Almighty, that today, we are alive to preserve the legacies of our fathers in the Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and our dear country, Nigeria,” Audu said.
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 ascended the throne.
Audu also applauded the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr Salami Ozigi for ensuring the success of the Programme.
He urged the people of Ankpa to live peacefully and united under the reign of his Royal Highness, 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 Honorable Minister alongside the state APC Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and His Royal Majesty, the Attah of Igala, HRM Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Kastina State, and the former Governor of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema were among numerous dignitaries who graced the important epoch in the history of Ankpa.
