The wife of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed has said if Nigerian’s can properly harrness the inherent features of the people’s culture, it can go a long way to ensure the much desired peace and unity in the country.
She made this call recently when she was conferred with the traditional title of “Nnwu Yerima” by Okuta Community at the 2013 OKuta Gani Festival. Represented by the Senior Assistant Adviser on Poverty Alleviation, Alhaja Sarah Abubakar, Mrs. Ahmed expressed joy with the way Baruten land, especially the Okuta community appreciated her little efforts through her pet project “Leah Foundation” by way of conferring a traditional title on her.
According to her, the conferment of the title will continue to serve as an impetus for her to do more by ensuring that Leah Foundation touches the lives of the people by way of bringing the dividends of democracy closer to the people.
Speaking earlier, the Emir of Okuta, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Idris Sero Abubakar (Kperugi Affon Serobetete) while commending the First Lady for her laudable project said while many others in her position today place preference on acquiring wealth to and so much power that to intimidate the less privileged, she is known to use her wealth to put smiles on the face of the common man in Kwara State particularly the people of Okuta community, which he said informed the decision to honour her with the title.
Earlier in his interaction with the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. Ibrahim Lawal who was represented by Naseer Saeed Atiegba, the Emir lauded the cultural orientation programmes of NICO, saying he is pleased with the Institute’s mission, particularly, the outline of programmes of activities for the North Central Zone in the
year 2013.
According to him, the Institute’s Indigenous Language Programme and particularly, its efforts towards sensitizing traditional rulers to their responsibilities are critical to the sustenance of any society.
The 2013 Okuta Gani Festival witnessed the participation of several ethnic groups from neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Mali, Togo amongst others, which is a clear indication that apart from displaying religion and tradition, the festival depicted a celebration of international unity as it pulled people from diverse countries and background together for a common interest.
Apart from the participation of neighbouring countries, other ethnic cultural groups that participated was the Shaki Dancer from Oyo State, the indigenous Baruten Dancers, Nupe Dancers, Commie Bububere Dancers among others.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Shaba Lafia, Honourable Ahmed Mamood and Honourable Elder David Bamidele.
Naseer Saeed Atiegba
NICO NNNC