By DADA AYOKHAI
The ancient kingdom of Okpe in Akoko Edo local government area of Edo State was recently agog as it played host to the crowd of guests, visitors, and well wishes who thronged the palace of the Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Eshimokhai Idogun III to witness the traditional turbaning of Engr Saliu Ahmed as the Odufade of Okpe kingdom.
The grand occasion also served as part of the 35th-anniversary celebration of the ascension of Oba Eshimokhai to the throne.
The traditional title of Odufade of the Okpe kingdom is usually reserved for those who have touched lives in the most significant manner and the recipient, Engr Saliu Ahmed, the Managing Director of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, BORDA, happens to be one.
Translated, the title in the Okpe local parlance means “the one who brings joy to the multitude”. The title was bestowed on Engr Ahmed in recognition of the role the BORDA, the interventionist agency he superintendent, played in the establishment of the first-of-its-kind integrated farms in Okpe. The farms currently employs a a big number of the indigenes.
The who-is-who in Edo North were not left out of the congregation of the esteemed and distinguished guests who were at hand to witness the epoch-making event.
Top Edo State APC stalwarts, including the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Lawrence Okha; the former Etsako West and Central council chairmen, Hon Yakubu Musa and Emmanuel Momoh, we were among the dignitaries who graced the event.
Also, the royalty was well represented by the Daudu of the Auchi kingdom who ably stood in for the Otaru of Auchi, HRH H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe III.
Prince Clem Agba, the minister of state of finance, budget, and national planning, represented by one of the top officials in the ministry, led the powerful Abuja entourage that stormed the venue of the conferment to lend support and spice up the event.
In his vote of thanks, the recipient, an elected Engr Ahmed showered praises on the royal fathers and others for gracing the event with their presence, stating the conferment of the title will serve as the tonic to contribute his quota in the overall development of the state.
Guests and other dignitaries were later treated to a lavish reception at the country home of Engr Ahmed in Auchi, Etsako West local government area where some esteem royal fathers were in attendance which includes the Aidonogie of south Ibie kingdom, Oba kelvin Danesi,.
BORDA staff,close relatives, old schoolmates, and well-wishers also graced the ceremony.
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