The Chairman, Central Planning Committee, Prof. Olu Obafemi, speaking on behalf of the community said that the traditional institution of Olukiri dated back to precolonial era.
“It sad that it has remained second class, while it equivalent in other places have been upgraded to first class status,” he said.
Obafemi said that as peace loving people, the people of Kiri kingdom would keep appealing to the state government to upgrade the stool.
“The Olukiri of Kiri was in history known as Olukiri of Bunu with suzerainty extending to Ogidi and Aiyere as well as to people with vertical facial markings.
“The institution of Olukiri dated back to time immemorial but significantly, under the Royal Niger Company’s rule led by Sir George Dashwood Taubman Goldie, Olu Tenu (1820-1863) the Olukiri of Kiri was given a staff of office as Chief of Bunu or better still, the Olukiri of Bunu.
“After Olu Tenu, Olu Bayegbe (1913-1924) also received a staff of office from the British colonial authority as Olukiri of Bunu. This trend continued until the reign of Olu Ndah Aliu (1941 1957) who was the last Olukiri of Bunu.
“By 1960, the Olu Bunu stool was formally created and Kiri lost the stool to Akumerindinlogun Bunu.
“We are calling on Gov. Yahaya Bello to correct the mistake of not elevating the Olukiri stool to first class status in the last upgrading exercise.This is a stool that has been graded since the 19th Century.
“It is unimaginable that recently created chiefdoms have been inadvertently elevated above Kiri Kingdom. I believe His Excellency was not presented with the facts hence this mistake,” Obafemi said.
Obafemi also appealed to the Federal Government to mobilise the contractor handling the construction of Iluke Akutiupa- Eggan Road in Kogi West, to enable him to begin work immediately.
According to him, the road when completed would boost the economy and social development of the area.
He added that the good people of Kiri and Kupaland appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the construction of Iluke Akutiupa- Eggan Road.
“We are eagerly awaiting the contractor to mobilise to site.
“We appeal to the Minister of Works to cause the contractor to commence the construction of the road.
“When constructed, it will provide another opportunity for North-South bound travelers thus reducing pressure on Abuja-Lokoja-Lagos road,” he said.
Speaking about the Olukiri coronation, Olufemi described the anniversary scheduled for next week as the first of its kind in Kiri Kingdom.
According to him, aside from the commemoration of the coronation of the present Olukiri, the event would provide an opportunity for the Olukiri to honour some deserving sons of Kiri with honourary chieftaincy titles, give posthumous awards to some past heroes and heroine of Kiri.
He said that the event would also enable the Oba to present meritorious awards to some enterprising individuals as well as bestow honourary Kiri citizenship on some notable Nigerians who have over the years been friends of Kiri Kingdom.
“The occasion of the anniversary will also afford the opportunity to showcase the rich culture of Kiri Kingdom reminiscent of Nigeria’s FESTAC 77.”
He said that Mosiko was one of the longest reigning Olukiri who has united the people, villages and towns within the Kiri Kingdom.