By Haruna Usman,Birnin Kebbi
Hundreds of people from the Idoma tribe Saturday thronged the palace of his royal highness the emir of gwandu and chairman Kebbi State council of chiefs Muhammadu Illiyasu Bashar to witness the turbaning of the first king of Idomas residing in kebbi state chief Sunday John Ochigbo.
Chief Sunday and two others were turbaned by the emir in the palace,shortly after the turbaning,the emir of gwandu said what the people are witnessing is a symbol of the country’s unity in diversity,the royal farther added that idomas has now become part of the Hausa/Fulani communities having stayed for many years in the state without any hitch with their host community, he described them as peace loving people who quickly adapted to the culture of our people by respecting the religion and culture of the people.
In his speech the turbaned king of Idomas who rode on horse back from the palace to his residence at Badariya area in Birnin Kebbi,mister Sunday in a short interview said his joy knows no bounds as he break the history of being the pioneer AD’IDOMA of gwandu emirate,he explained that before his turbaning he has been the leader of Idomas since 2015,part of achievements as chief he was able to unite his members,he stopped house to house meeting by building an Idoma hall where they holds meetings,he said they have at least three hundred members in the State.
Chief Sunday added that, he has been in the State for well over 26years therefore not a stranger but a son of the soil,he thanked the emir for finding worthy of the title,he urged his members who he described as peace loving people to remain law abiding and to continue to respect the culture and the religion of their host community.
While making his speech at the occasion that was also attended by Igbo traditional leaders the chairman of Idoma community development association John Ochigbo said Idomas in Kebbi are safe because the state is so peaceful and very friendly to his people, he added that his association will continue to maintain the mutual and cordial relationship between the Idomas and the peoples of Kebbi State,he thanked people who came from far and near to celebrate with them
