Massive Crowd Welcome New Aren Eggon To Nassarawa Eggon
On Sunday 7th May, 2023, there was a tumultuous crowd of people from across the length and breadth of Eggon land that received the new Aren Eggon, His Royal Highness, Justice Ahmed Ubangari (Rtd) as he made what some people described as triumphant entry to Nassarawa Eggon, headquarters of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government, where the palace of the paramount traditional ruler of the Eggon worldwide is located.
Recall that a new Aren Eggon was selected by the three remaining Eggon Kingmakers on Friday May 5, 2023 and approved by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule.
As a further sign that he accepted the selection and the responsibilities thereon, the new Royal Father had to go to the people over whom he would reign. It was in this light that two days after the announcement of his selection, Justice Ahmed Ubangari went to Nassarawa Eggon town.
The journey started from his residence located opposite Government House, Shendam Road, Lafia. However, before taking off, the new Aren Eggon paid homage on the Governor and Emir of Lafia during which he intimated them on the move to go to the base.
Eggonnews observed that there was a long convoy of vehicles which accompanied the royal father on the journey from Lafia. The convoy had a brief stop over at the border between Lafia and Nassarawa Eggon and Eggon Community Secondary School where large crowd of people had been waiting for hours in anticipation of his arrival.
At the time the convoy entered Nassarawa Eggon town, the town almost stood still what with a multitude of people who poured onto the highway hailing his selection and arrival. The convoy was thereby compelled to move at a snail speed to the palace, a distance that would ordinarily take less than five minutes took the convoy over forty minutes.
The huge crowd that received the new Chief at the palace could only be compared with the crowd that came out upon the death of the immediate past Aren Eggon, Dr Bala Abaine Angbazo.
On hand at the palace of the Aren Eggon to receive him were some traditional rulers, namely: the Osana of Keana, Sarkin Arikya, Alhaji Usman Abbas Babba, the Aren Eggon Erroh, Alhaji Usman Makeri and the Aren Koro Kuje, Hon Joseph Sunday Namo.
Also present were all the District and Village Heads in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Areas (including Agidi and Akun Development Areas), as well as Eggon traditional title holders, prominent Eggon sons and daughters, the leadership of the umbrella socio-cultural body of the Eggon people, Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA) including the women, youth and students’ wings.
A few among the several prominent Eggon sons and daughters at the palace were: Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza (Danburam Eggon), Mallam Isiyaku Abdullahi (Magajin Garin Nassarawa Eggon), DCG-C Sule Allu (Rtd) (Ubandoman Eggon), Prof Victor Samson Dugga (Aren Engla Eggon), Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Idde (Ciroman Eggon), Gen A T Umar, Hon Jacob Kudu, Hon Ayas Musa Ayas, Hon Mary Enwongulu (Ombli Mo-Ashe Eggon), DCG-I Yahaya Inusa (Zanwan Eggon), the Presidents of ECDA, Women and Youth Wings.
To formally welcome the new Aren Eggon to the palace was the Ajiyan Eggon, Alhaji Yakubu Angyo who spoke on behalf of the Eggon Council of Elders, which until his selection, Justice Ubangari was the de facto Chairman in view of the health challenge faced by the substantive Chairman.
After the welcome remarks, the Group Treasurer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mallam Isyaku Abdullahi gave a brief insight into the circumstances that culminated in the emergence of Justice Ahmed Ubangari as the new Aren Eggon, which he said was a good omen to the Eggon land.
He stressed that the selection of Justice Ubangari was devoid of any sentiments and was adjudged the best among the pact of contestants. He then prayed for successful and peaceful reign to the Chief even as he enjoined all Eggon people to give him the needed maximum support and cooperation.
High point of the occasion was when the new Chief was turbaned by some courtiers from the palace of the Emir of Lafia. The process of the turbanning was heralded by some eulogies rendered by the popular royal praise singers.
There were goodwill messages and homage by some prominent Eggon persons and groups among whom were the Aren Koro Kuje, Aren Eggon Erroh, Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza, ECDA leaders.
Another highpoint of the occasion was when the new Aren Eggon, accompanied by the traditional rulers present as well as some prominent Eggon sons, reminiscent of the British royalty, appeared at the gallery, which was viewed and admired by all the people.
The moment HRH Justice Ubangari was sighted at the gallery, there were shouts of acclamation and celebration.
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Chairman of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Engr. Ben Manga wherein he appreciated everyone who graced the event and wished journey mercies to all.
Speaking to the people for the first time since his emergence as the new Aren Eggon, HRH Justice Ahmed Ubangari appreciated everyone for gracing the occasion, charging the Eggon people to eschew any and every act capable of causing disharmony.
The Chief was then accompanied to his residence along the Bye-Pass in Nassarawa Eggon even as the people were dancing in celebration.
