THE OHINOYI OF EBIRA, HRM ALH (DR) AHMED TIJANI MUHAMMED ANAJE CALLS FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE, OPENING UP OF TOURISM SIGHTS AND REBRANDING OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS AS A CONCERN
Abiodun Sodiq. MLC Tv
The Paramount Ruler of Ebira Land (Kogi Central), The Ohinoyi of Ebira, HRM Alh (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, Coodinator North Central Northern Traditional Council, Vice Chairman Kogi State Council of Chiefs, Chairman Ebira Area Traditional Council, Patron Council of Ulamau, Patron League of Imam, Vice President JNI Kogi State has called on its indigenes to portray the good character and attitude they are known for from generation to generation.
The Ohinoyi said the only way to attract good things to the kingdom is through conscious efforts to rebrand the culture, lifestyle, and promotion of the local dialect among the young ones to avoid its extinction.
The Ohinoyi made the call during an important meeting held on the premises of the palace in Okene with prominent Ebira sons and daughters from within and outside Kogi State.
In his remarks, “As long as God has placed me here on the throne as the royal father of all Ebira, I will not keep quiet. I must stand up to do the needful to move the entire kingdom forward because God has named us Ebira, which connotes character. Both good and bad have their rewards. The way you choose to live also matters. The world also needs you to be patient and live well,” he said.
According to the Paramount Ruler, if good people do nothing, evil will continue to prevail. He called for attitudinal change, cultural festivals rebranding, opening up tourist sights, and good parenting, which is the root of all courses. Parents are charged to train their children in the way they should go, he cautioned parents to watch their wards and urged them to talk their children out of bad habits.
He lamented the damage drug addiction has caused Ebira youths. He then suggested an annual get-together of all sons and daughters of the soil to have a unique time to celebrate one another with a sense of belonging to a kingdom where ideas, initiatives, values, and norms are discussed for a better society.
“It is high time to rise to this occasion to build a better society,” he added.
HRM Ahmed Tijani Anaje frowned at parents who have abandoned their dialect, Ebira, and embraced foreign languages to train their children. The worst of it all, he noted, are some parents who were born and nurtured in Ebiraland, got married, but threw their mother tongue away and taught their offspring to speak other languages or Pidgin English, gradually allowing the extinction of their identity.
He said it is becoming unbearable for him as a king to continue watching such bad habits continue. The Ohinoyi encouraged the people to uphold the values of their forefathers, change the narrative, and stated that the orientation should start now, through the concerned people of Ebira, to guide the steps of the next generation.
“I am also not happy with how some community leaders have sold pieces of land to people at random, which could lead to the future wipe-out of such communities, with God-deposited natural resources worth billions of naira taken away for a small amount. This should not be supported by all,” the Ohinoyi said.
On cultural heritage and tourist centres, the Ohinoyi called for the proper overhauling and projection of some annual festivals known to be harmful due to their nature, and stereotyping that Ebira festivals are violent in nature. He made suggestions and urged the people to think of an appropriate time and mode of celebration, just to attract other tribes, states, and the international world.
“I am for all Ebira people, and it will be to the glory of God if good things are spoken of us as a people. I will be glad that you are all doing well, attracting good things, and building a society where no violence will prevail.
Regarding tourist sights, Kogi Central is blessed with many exciting places that will attract people,” he stated.
The Ohinoyi called for peaceful coexistence, respect for those in authority, and love for one another if Ebira must move forward. He then called for the inauguration of seven different committees and subcommittees with mandates to address social, economic, and political issues, rebrand and promote cultural heritage and tourism, promote inclusive development, and engage local communities in the process. Their assignment was also to effect the orientation of attitudinal change among Ebira youths. It is expected that all committees will have representatives from traditional rulers, Christians, Muslims, youths, and the elderly for an all-encompassing dialogue and brainstorming for positive impacts.
The Ohinoyi used the occasion to announce an upcoming event at his palace that will attract over 200 course mates from the Nigerian Army and guests from across Nigeria, who will visit significant historical places in Kogi Central, staying from 23 April. He called on the people to rally around him for a successful event.
The Ohinoyi commended the immediate past Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, for his proactiveness in restoring peace, harmony, and unity among all Kogites, with social and infrastructural development across the three senatorial districts. He also appreciated the present Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for building on existing achievements and more.
Many prominent persons attended the meeting, including traditional title holders, former and present lawmakers, professors, technocrats, government officials, civil servants, market women, Ebira elites, and youths.
Nice one