By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Ohinoyi of Ebira, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, has called for greater unity and collaboration among traditional rulers and the people of Ebira extraction in order to advance the ideals of the Kwararafa Confederacy.
The monarch, who is the Chairman of the Ebira Area Traditional Council, Vice President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs and Coordinator, North Central, National Council of Traditional Rulers, made the call while speaking at the Kwararafa Development Forum themed, “The Splendour of the Confederacy: Ancient Truth and the New Dawn.”
Anaje commended the organisers of the forum for what he described as a commendable effort in bringing stakeholders together to deliberate on issues relating to the development, unity and future of the Kwararafa people.
He said the initiative provided an important platform for traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore ways of strengthening unity among the various communities associated with the Kwararafa heritage.
According to him, the success of the initiative would depend largely on the willingness of traditional rulers and the people to work together and embrace a common vision for development.
The Ohinoyi pledged to engage traditional rulers and the wider Ebira community to ensure that they understand and support the objectives of the Kwararafa initiative.
He said: “The committee has done wonderfully well in putting this event together. I will meet with all the traditional rulers and the Ebira people so that they can queue into this Kwararafa initiative.
“I believe that with this idea of coming together, we will move forward.”
The monarch stressed the importance of collective action, noting that unity among traditional institutions and their people could provide a stronger foundation for addressing developmental challenges and promoting peace, cooperation and progress.
He further emphasised the role of traditional institutions in mobilising communities around initiatives capable of fostering social cohesion and sustainable development.
The Kwararafa Development Forum brought together traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on the historical significance of the Kwararafa Confederacy and examine opportunities for building a stronger future based on unity and shared heritage.
The theme, “The Splendour of the Confederacy: Ancient Truth and the New Dawn,” focused attention on the relationship between the historical foundations of the Kwararafa Confederacy and contemporary efforts to promote unity, development and cooperation among its constituent communities.
The participation of the Ohinoyi of Ebira further underscored the importance of traditional institutions in discussions surrounding cultural identity, community development and regional cooperation.
The monarch’s commitment to engaging traditional rulers and Ebira communities is expected to provide an avenue for broader consultations and greater understanding of the objectives of the Kwararafa Development Forum.
He called for sustained dialogue and cooperation, expressing optimism that collective efforts by traditional institutions and their people would contribute to a more united and prosperous future.
The forum therefore served as a platform for stakeholders to reaffirm the importance of preserving historical heritage while exploring new approaches to achieving development and strengthening relationships among communities.
Anaje’s remarks reinforced the central message of the gathering: that unity, consultation and collective responsibility remain critical to translating the shared heritage of the Kwararafa people into a renewed development agenda.
