Chief Olusegun Joseph Areh (the Obaneae of Oweland) has been elected as the Obadofin Of Oweland in Kabba, headquarters of Kabba/Bunu council area of Kogi state.
His election followed the approval of the Traditional selectors, empowered by the Eidit 12, 1995 rulling that empower the Oweland Selectors to ractify the selection of any any traditional chiefs from their ruling House.
The name of Chief Segun Areh has since been forwarded to the Okun traditional council who are empowered to forward same to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Title for executive approval.
This was revealed in a letter dated January 30, 2024 and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
The letter read apart, “Sequel to the demise of late Obadofin of Oweland, Oba Micheal Yusuf, the stool of Obadofin has become vacant and in strict compliance with Edit No. 12 of 1995 and Owe tradition, on the 3rd day of May, 2023 the Obaro of Kabba as the most senior selector sent to Odolu ruling group to ascertain and screen nominees who have indicated interest in the vacant stool.
“It is worthy to mention, that four names were forwarded among which, one is to be chosen to fill the vacant stool of Obadofin of Oweland. After series of further screening, investigations carried out, and consultations with Ifa Oracle by the Ololus in accordance with Owe tradition, Chief Olusegun Joseph Areh was considered the most suitable among the nominees sent to the selectors.
“The underlisted Olulus and Chief who also double as the King makers in the appointment of all Chiefs and Obas in Oweland did observe due process and fulfilled all traditions thereupon selected Chief Olusegun Joseph Areh (the Obanase of Oweland) as the Obadofin of Oweland in Kabba/Bunu Local government area of Kogi state.
“We hereby urge, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Traditional council, and Okun Traditional Council to forward same to the Kogi state council of Chiefs for necessary action.”
Vanguard gathered that two of the three selectors namely, HRM Oba Solomon Owoniyi, (Obaro of Kabba) and Oba Micheal Obinaiye (Obajemu of Oweland) signed the nomination of the new Obadofin -Elect, while the third selector, Oba S. A Toluhi (Obani of Oweland) abstain from voting.
However, the traditional law of selection agreed that a nominees to any of the Kabba traditional Chieftaincy Title required the approval of any two out of the three selectors.
It will be recalled that the immediate past Obadofin of Oweland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Oladele Yusuf joined his ancestors in January 2023 and his final burial rites were concluded on April 28, 2023, to pave way for the emergence of the new Obadofin of Oweland in line with the Edit 12 of 1995 and 2006 Chieftaincy law of the Kogi State Government that established rotational arrangement for the Ololu’s among the three ruling groups in Kabba community.
The new Obadofin -Elect was born on May 15, 1961 to the family of Chief Daniel Usman Jagbemi Areh (Obaneae Osabu-Ewo Suwaju) of the Obanakin family, Oke’lepa Odolu, Kabba.
He attended Saint Andrew’s Primary school, Kabba from 1966 to 1972. Proceeded to Zaria for secondary education at Kufena College, Wusasa Zaria and finished in 1979.
He attended Katsina college of Arts, Science and Technology (KCADT) Zaria from 1979- 1981 for IJMB and thereafter to university of Sokoto, and graduated with BSC in Economics in 1987.
He served the nation in 1988 in Elf Oil Marketing LTD, Portharcourt, Rivers state and was retained after service year. He later enrolled for Post Diploma in Marketing in University if Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1997.
He worked in Elf Oil and Total Oil Nig PLC in various portfolios: Sales Representatives, Lube Marine Officer, Business Development Manager, District Sales Manager, Special Products Manager, Aviation Operations Manager and finally as Operations Liaison Manager.
Upon meritorious exit from Total, he teamed up with two Ex- Total Staff colleagues to venture into Human Capital, development and consultancy in Oil and Gas Midstream, downstream and maritime operations.
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