The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba (Dr) Solomon Dele Owoniyi, on behalf of the Owoniyi Obanoge Dynasty of Kabba, has expressed his sincere appreciation to all who made it to the reception held in the town last weekend, to mark the completion of the funeral rites of his late father, Pa Timothy Ajayi Owoniyi.
In a statement issued by the Palace, Oba Owoniyi expressed thanks to God for giving him and members of his family the grace to lay their patriarch to rest and for ensuring peace in the kingdom before during and after the event.
The monarch expressed his profound appreciation to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello for his material, moral and emotional support from the period of the family’s bereavement to the conclusion of the rites of passage.
The Obaro said that although overriding state duties kept the Governor away from the reception, he demonstrated deep emotional support and mobilized the entire machinery of government to be in Kabba to underscore Alhaji Bello’s personal and official support.
Oba Owoniyi thanked the Ooni of Ife who sent a powerful delegation of ranking royals to Kabba for the event and to royal fathers from across and around Kogi State who were at the reception in demonstration of solidarity with the Kabba royal household.
He also thanked members of the Kogi State Executive Council, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Salami Momodu Ozigi, who represented the Governor at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs.) Folashade Arike Ayoade as well as other Commissioners and special advisers who were at the programme in their numbers to lend their support.
He also commended the chairman of the Reception Planning Committee and the state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris and members of his team for the wonderful job they did which he said made the occasion the huge success it was.
To the Kabba community members who trooped out in large numbers to attend the reception, the Obaro said they had once again demonstrated their love and support for their throne and prayed that God would reward the women groups, cultural troupes, market associations as well as the community groups of Nigerians from various parts of the country resident in Kabba for turning out in large numbers at the event.
He also thanked friends and well-wishers who travelled long distances by air and road for their fortitude and the risks they took to be in attendance at the reception.
Oba Owuniyi prayed that Kabba, Okunland, Kogi and the entire country would enjoy a new season of peace and prosperity.