By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The former Kogi State Governor, and Sardaunan Rayan Kasan Nupe, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has sent a message of congratulations to Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on his 70th birthday and 19 years on the throne of his forefathers.

A statement personally signed and issued by the former Kogi Governor described the former military officer turned Royal father as dedicated both to his father land and his enlarged community.

He says the programmes holding simultaneously on Sunday was a conviction that the Royal father, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar had done exceptionally well for leading his people culturally and traditionally close to two decades.

Sardaunan Rayan Nupe says Etsu Nupe has exposed the rich culture and bravery of the ancient Bida emirate/Nupe kingdom through a more modest, and acceptable approach in the last 19 years of his ascension.

He says as the 13th Etsu Nupe in the traditional ladder of famous Bida emirate, no doubt, has placed and sustained it's revered position in the comity of nations in the international sphere, particularly with the recent rating by UNESCO in the area of culture and artwork.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris used the opportunity to formally register his appreciation to Etsu Nupe and his entire Niger State traditional council that honoured the coronation and formal presentation of staff of office to Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Mathew Alhaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa 11, in March this year at Idah.

He says the mammoth crowd on the entourage and their presence of Emir of Kagara, Lapai, Borgu and Bida emirates showed the importance of ancestral linkage and relationship between the Nupes and the Igalas dated beck centuries.

He commended the Royal father for his leadership roles, both politically and traditionally, at all levels; saying his constant advice to the political class really portrayed him as genuine custodian of our culture.

The former Kogi Governor, who is also a title holder in Bida emirate, lauded the ceaseless cooperation of his subjects in the last near two decades, while urging them to sustain the tempo of fighting insecurity, kidnappings, banditry and activities of criminal elements in the area.

He congratulated the entire Nupe kingdom and Bida emirate on the two auspicious occasions, wishing the Royal father many more years in life and on the throne.