From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his wife, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,’ have added another feather on their caps as the Paramount Ruler of Olomu Kingdom and chairman, Urhobo Council of Traditional leaders, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Richard Ogbon, has conferred the Chieftaincy title of Ererukugbe of Urhobo Land on him.
The Kano First Lady, Prof. Hafsat Ganduje was also honoured with the revered title of Omamoraye of Urhobo Land.
Speaking during a colorful ceremony on Saturday evening at his palace, in Ogoni Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, the traditional ruler, Ovie Dr. Richard Ogbon, said the honor was to reciprocate the respect and love shown to his subjects by Chief Ganduje in Kano.
He explained that a prominent Urhobo son and a onetime military administrator of Kano State, late Brig, Gen. Dominic Oneya, had told him about the amiable relationship between him and Chief Ganduje, long before he became Governor of Kano State, adding that, Oneye who was a former Military Administrator of Kano state, personally proposed that Chief Ganduje be honored with an Urhobo chieftaincy title.
Ovie Dr. Richard Ogbon acknowledged that, “Chief Ganduje is a detribalized gentleman who believes in national unity.”
The monarch appreciated the Governor for appointing Chief Anthony Oneya as one of his Special Advisers.
Shortly after the chieftaincy conferment rites, presided over by Olomu High Chiefs, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the honor was in tandem with the ideals of national integration, as promoted by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, initiated by the Gowon administration.
He said the NYSC scheme, “has gone a long way in instilling the spirit of oneness among Nigerians irrespective of tribal and religious inclinations,” stressing that General Gowon deserves to be applauded for upholding national cohesion.
Dr. Ganduje emphasized that, “each Nigerian tribe has its own peculiarity and such differences could be efficiently managed to form the basis of national strength.”
He thanked the First Class Monarch and the people of Olomu kingdom for finding him and his wife worthy of prestigious chieftaincy titles, expressing optimism that the relationship between Urhobos and Kano state would continue to grow from strength to strength.
Meanwhile, the Governor and his entourage took time off to visit the family of late Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya in Warri, where his wife Mrs. Paricia Oneya, hosted them to lunch.
The Governor was accompanied to Delta state by the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim AbdulQadir, the Majority leader, House of Representatives, Alhaji Alhasan Ado Doguwa, the State Head of Civil Service, Alh. Usman Bala Muhammad, the District Head of Dawakin Tofa, Sarkin Ban Bichi, Alhaji Isma’ila Umar, Alhaji Nasiru Aliko , the State APC Vice Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Maigari, Eze Ndigbo in Kano, His Highness, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe, among other top dignitaries.
