His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun.

Richard Elesho

The Chairman MopAmuro Traditional Council and Elulu of Mopa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, has confirmed that there is an ongoing process of cultural rejuvenation as a vehicle for renewed patriotism, peace and rapid infrastructure development of his domain in particular and the Nigerian nation at large, noting that his emergence in the Palace was by divine arrangement.

To this end, the new monarch said there is an ongoing preparation for a week-long celebration of Mopa Day in December this year, urging all sons, and daughters of the area and their friends at home and abroad to join in the festival.

Oba Ibeun, who disclosed this recently in his palace while interacting with some journalists of Kogi West extraction, described the forthcoming fiesta as another window to foster friendship among Mopa indigenes and to encourage those in the diaspora to renew their attachment and nostalgia for home.

“We plan to make Mopa Day a huge cultural attraction for all our people wherever they may be. It is deliberately being packaged in the yuletide season of December as a value-added. The truth is no one will develop this place for us but ourselves.”

Oba Ibeun explained further that contrary to widespread belief in certain quarters, that he has been lobbying and scheming for the throne over time, he was a man focused on growing his businesses before the call to community service and kingship came. He said his mission is to deploy his influence and skills into how to better his domain.

He went philosophical. “It is God that designed peoples’ lives, and His will is different. I am now glad to find myself in the saddle of leadership and responsibility for the community.

I will focus on how to bring more development to the community and local government at large.”

The monarch also expressed the hope that the legal encumbrances to his claim to the throne would soon come to an end and in his favour. Insisting that he has nothing to lose, whichever way it is resolved, he urged others to join him in the task of developing the area.

Earlier, the Chairman of Forum of Okun Media Professionals, publisher of Democracy Newsline Newspaper, Chief Olugbemi Femi had informed the monarch the purpose of their visit was to identify with him on his smooth emergence as the 4th Elulu of Mopa land and also acknowledged his developmental strides since he came on board.

He said Okun Media Professionals draws its membership from all Okun indigenes who are media professionals, practising in Kogi state, comprising of radio, television, print media, new media, bloggers, and public relations officers in the information sector; with the main objective of fostering unity and development within the 6 local government areas of Kogi West Senatorial district, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopamuro, Yagba East, Yagba West and Lokoja using their mediums.