By Joy Salami,
In a warm and spirited gathering at the residence of Alhaji Abdulmumuni Musa, distinguished members of the Ohionwa clan of Ihima in Lokoja, came together to celebrate the remarkable academic and professional accomplishments of their sons and daughters.
Elders, families, friends, and community members joined hands in prayer and gratitude, acknowledging the progress of the clan and the successes of its members across various fields.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Salawu Ozigi Umar, expressed the purpose of the event, highlighting the importance of recognizing God’s favor on the clan and the strides its members have made.
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“As elders of our clan and community, we organized this prayer session as a way to show gratitude to God for the academic and professional uplift of our sons and daughters,” Umar said.
He emphasised the event as a moment to foster unity, build stronger bonds, and inspire the next generation within the Ohionwa community.
These achievements, the elders noted, reflect the dedication and resilience of Ohionwa’s sons and daughters who have brought pride to the clan.
The celebration further extended gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for appointing Hon. Monday Eneji-Amoka as Executive Chairman of Okehi Local Government Council and recognizing other Ohionwa members like Professor Avidime and Comrade Itopa with prominent roles.
“From this beginning, it is clear that Ododo will certainly end his eight years in office as the best of all the Governors that ever governed our people,” Umar stated.
During the gathering, elders also took the opportunity to call on Governor Ododo to extend more appointments to deserving Ohionwa clan members. They highlighted individuals like Mallam Haruna Yusuf (ADC) and Mallam Wasiu Isah, whose dedication to the development of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has been unwavering.
In addition to political appeals, the event was a symbolic moment for unity and innovation within the Ohionwa community. According to Umar, “This is the first time that a prayer session of this kind has been organized by any group of Egbira people in Lokoja to honor academic and professional achievements.”
The gathering was also a reminder of the legacy of the Ohionwa foundation and the clan’s desire to continue pursuing greatness through unity and collective effort.
Umar urged the attendees to revisit the principles from the Ohionwa Summit held at the Obobanyi Palace two years prior, emphasising that these guidelines would serve as a roadmap for future progress.
Recognizing the importance of adapting to societal changes, he encouraged members to embrace positive change and seek unity with their extended family across Kogi Central and beyond. “Our relationship with our Uka family in Kogi Central and in the diaspora is another focus, to strengthen bonds and unity across all geo-political divides,” he noted.
As the event drew to a close, the gathering honored the presence of the Obobanyi of Ohionwa of Ihima, who took time from his busy schedule to attend the celebration, symbolizing the support and guidance of the clan’s leadership.
Attendees expressed deep appreciation to the guests for joining the occasion, with a heartfelt wish for safe travels and continued blessings on the Ohionwa clan.
The event was not only a celebration of achievements but also a call for unity, progress, and collaborative efforts within the community, demonstrating the resilience and spirit of the Ohionwa people.
The celebration honored notable individuals from the Ohionwa clan who have excelled in their respective careers. Among them are: Professor Ibrahim Musa Adeku, a Council member at the Federal University, Lokoja; Professor Salehdeen Mohammed Umar, also of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Solomon Avidime, Chief Medical Director of Reference Hospital, Okene, Comrade Yusuf Itopa, Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper Corporation, Lokoja, Dr. Balikisu Abdulmumin (Mrs) and Dr. Abdulhafis Abubakar Ochepa.
