The paramount ruler of Umaisha in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, has conferred privileged traditional titles on five prominent Nigerians.
Former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma was conferred with the title of Ohireku Opanda of Nasarawa, while Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, bagged the title of Dan Maliki Opanda.
Abdullahi, who is the Ohimegye Opanda of Nasarawa, conferred the traditional titles on the recipients during his 20 years anniversary in Umaisha Development Area of Nasarawa State.
Other awardees included Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State as Wambai Opanda and Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa West) as Asayidu Opanda.
Similarly, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, was turbaned as the Wali Opanda.
The traditional ruler said the honour done to the awardees was in recognition of their positive contributions to the development of the area.
He said: “This event is indeed historic not just because it marks the 20th anniversary of my ascension to the exalted throne of Ohimegye Opanda, but because it serves as an opportunity to look back at the origin of our ancient kingdom, whose foundation dates back to 265 years ago.
“What we are witnessing today is a celebration of mind and a reminder of how 20 years ago, precisely on October 21st, 1995, I ascended the throne of Opanda as the 28th Ohimegye.
“I said to my people, we must have a clear view of the future if I truly desire to achieve our goals.
“I want to use this occasion to confer the following traditional titles of the Opanda chiefdom to some notable Nigerians.
“This is based on their contributions to the development of our Emirate Council, the state and the country at large.
“I call on all stakeholders to continue to assist this community and the state to improve on the living condition of our people for the overall development of the country.”
Abdullahi also called on the people of the state to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
In his remark, Al-Makura assured local government workers that they would start receiving alert of salaries from November 2, clearing the air on backlog of salary issues.
Al-Makura called on the people of the state to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort in fighting corruption in the country.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Danjuma thanked the monarch for the honour done to them.
He promised to continue to contribute positively to the development of the Emirate Council, the state and the country at large.
