As Oba Owoniyi leads Okun Monarch in thanksgiving service
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said the establishment of the Kogi State University sited in Kabba, the headquarters of Kogi West and Okun nation is not politically motivated rather it is to address the injustice and unfair distribution of the state’s resources.
The Governor who was represented by the Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu local government area, Hon Moses Olorunleke disclosed this at the thanksgiving service organized to appreciate God for the divine gift, held at the St Andrews Cathedral in Kabba yesterday.
He emphasized that the university came as a result of his determination and commitment to leave a name behind, stressing that those who don’t believe will soon know that it is not for political gains but for the good of the state and humanity.
Earlier, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Solomon Dele Owoniyi said Governor Yahaya Bello surprised the people of Okunland by the way the university came, stressing that it came when they least expected it.
He said there is no doubt the enormous development a higher institution like a university can attract to a community hence he urged all Okun sons and daughters to rally round the university to stand well for the overall benefit of the people and humanity, stressing that the institution is not only for the Obaro, Kabba community but for the entire Okunland, humanity and above all it is established by Kogi State Government.
He noted that the Emir of Zaria and Obaro of Kabba stools were recognized same day in 1923 by the British colonial government and today the two community cannot be said to be on the same level due to several institutions that Zaria is hosting which same cannot be said of Kabba and the only province that has not transformed into a state. He noted that the time of the restoration of the lost glory is here.
He further said the reason why the traditional council decided to do thanksgiving in the Cathedral cannot be far fetched, pointing out that the forum of indigenous pastors including the Bishops of Kabba and Ijumu dioceses of Anglican Communion visited his palace early in the year to pray and a prophecy came that before the end of year 2023, Kabba will have a university and barely three months later, Kogi State Government announced the establishment of the KSUK, stressing that he has never witnessed such a miracle in his life.
He re-emphasized that it is only God that made it possible for the institution to come at this time, noting that God used Governor Yahaya Bello to answer the agelong desires of the people.
He also acknowledged the fact that more good things will henceforth be coming to Okunland, stressing that the forum of Indigenous Pastors also told him that more universities are coming and other federal government institutions that will be of benefit to the people of Okunland will come before the end of the year.
While Bishop Stephen Akobe of Kabba Anglican diocese anchored his sermon on love and unity. He urged all sons and daughters of Okunland to love one another and also unite for the overall development of the zone, stressing that whoever God raised among them either as politicians, businessmen or technocrats, wherever he or she may come from in Okunland, either Yagba, Ijumu, Owe, Bunu or Oworo, it is expected that all and sundry should support and cooperate with the person to achieve better things for the land.
While giving his goodwill message, Director General of Okun United for Ododo/Joel, Barrister Alfred Bello thanked God and appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello for the establishment of the institution in Kabba, pointing out that it was their efforts while they were in office as member of the Kogi State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007 when himself and Barrister Oju Ola moved for the establishment of the Kogi State College of Education Technical, Kabba that has paid off today.
He said it is the structures in the college that attracted the university, pointing out that without the existence of the college, it would have been difficult for the government to start from scratch for the university to stand. He appealed to the people to use the November 11 to repay APC as a party by voting en-masse for the party to continue its good works in the state.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Victoria Jagboro used the occasion to appreciate all stakeholders for their support and cooperation which has resulted in the achievements that attracted the university to the site, pointing out that she already had a vision which was why she concentrated on developing the permanent site.
According to her, she already knew that one day the institution will be transformed into a university hence she never hesitated in building structures in the permanent site, stressing that though it was not easy but she continued to build, urging the host community to protect the project as the benefits will better be enjoyed by them.
Highlight of the event was a prayer session anchored by Bishop Paul Ojo, of Ijumu diocese of Anglican Communion and thanksgiving.
