Alake Honours Marwa With Egba Title
CHARLES COFFIE GYAMFI, ABEOKUTA
THE former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa yesterday praised President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, saying it is on the right path of moving the country forward hence all Nigerians should cooperate with the government.
Marwa who spoke in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital insisted "honestly for the first time, I am convinced that we have gotten it right."
To him "President Obasanjo is committed to rescuing this nation from the abayss in which it pushed itself.
He spoke after he and his wife, Munirat, had been honoured with chieftaincy titles by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede at his palace.
Marwa bagged the title of Soludero of Egbaland while his wife bagged the title of Erelu Soludero of Egbaland.
Also yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel appealed to the Owu, in Abeokuta, not to allow their individual interests to override their collective interest in the selection of a new monarch for the Olowu stool.
Daniel, who spoke yesterday at the Owu Day celebration in Abeokuta, pleaded with the Owu people not to do anything that would disturb the peace in their domain.
Five of the eight Owu Kingmakers had engaged President Olusegun Obasanjo, himself an Owu Chief, in a tussle over which of the six qualified Princes entitled to the throne should be installed to succeed the immediate past Olowu, Oba Adisa Odeleye who joined his ancestors last year.
Daniel who spoke through his Deputy, Alhaja Salmot Badru, said: "Owu people must continue to put the collective interest above every other interest to safeguard their interest. There is the need to temper the contest for the succession to the throne with sobriety and the spirit of sportsmanship."
Marwa lauded the peace, tranquility, respect, democratic tenets and rule of law which he said is prevailing in the country.
He however advised that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria should not be left in the hands of the government alone.
"We should not leave such responsibility to government alone because elimination of poverty, creation of wealth, economic and political transformation is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians," he said.
The former Administrator called on Nigerians to always strive to promote, encourage and accentuate those values that engender greater good for the greater number of the people.
Oba Lipede, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Lateef Adegbite, disclosed that the titles were conferred on the couple because they had distinguished themselves in the service of the nation, humanity and their chosen career.
Lipede recalled the outstanding contribution Marwa made to the development of Lagos.
Some of the dignitaries at the occasion held at the Ake palace ground were Chief Richard Akinjide, Col. David Akintunde, (rtd) Col Oladapo Bamgboye (rtd), Chief Adewole Adeosun, Sheik Maccido, who represented his father, the Sultan of Sokoto and the British High Commissioner
