By Ayodele Oni
First class and high ranking monarch at Ebiraland in Kogi state has joined his ancestors.
The demise of Ohinoyi, Ado Ibrahim, whose death was announced on Sunday, has thrown the entire Ebiraland into mourning.
The Ebira community is enveloped in sorrow with the passing of Dr. Ado Ibrahim, the esteemed Ohinoyi, who left behind a legacy of wisdom and leadership deeply ingrained in Ebira culture.
Dr. Ado Ibrahim, born on February 7, 1929, was the fourth traditional ruler and the current Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, a traditional state with headquarter in Okene, Middle Belt, Nigeria.
He was the son of the second Attah now “Ohinoyi” of Ebiraland, Ibrahim Onoruoyiza, from the Omadivi clan, who reigned from 1917 to 1954.
In 1997, after the passing of Ohinoyi Sanni Omolori of the Oziada clan, AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim, a Lagos-based entrepreneur and the son of the second paramount ruler of Ebiraland, ascended the Okene throne as the second Ohinoyi or the fourth independent traditional ruler of Ebiraland on June 2, 1997.
Throughout his reign, Ibrahim was known for his significant contributions, including the construction of the magnificent Azad Palace, named after one of his sons, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful palaces in West Africa.
He had on occasions had bruises with the state government over handling of some issues. He once refused to attend a reception for the visiting former President Mohammadu Buhari because he was not properly invited.
President Bola Tinubu in a condolence message, described the Monarch’s death as painful.
In a message by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President described the late monarch as peace-loving, affable, and cerebral.
“The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was in a class of his own. He was highly respected and admired for his deep insights, wisdom, and sophistication. He had a masterful way of handling issues. He was very knowledgeable and wise.
“May Almighty Allah grant His Majesty Aljannah Firdaus,” the President prayed.
President Tinubu asked the good people of Kogi State to take solace in the legacy of peace and fellowship left behind by the late monarch.
