'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed profound sorrow over the demise of Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami, the District Head of Adavi Local Government Area, who passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi LGA. The late traditional ruler was 86 years old.
In a heartfelt statement issued today by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo described Alhaji Ozi-Salami as a compassionate and amiable leader who dedicated his life to fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among the people of Adavi and beyond. The Governor emphasized the late District Head’s unwavering commitment to the development of his community and his exemplary service as a traditional ruler.
“Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was a pillar of strength and a unifying force in Adavi and Ebiraland. His leadership was marked by wisdom, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility towards his people. His passing is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire state,” Governor Ododo stated.
The Governor extended his condolences to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, and the Ohi Otenyiete of Ebiraland, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who is the immediate younger brother of the deceased. He also sympathized with the immediate family of the late District Head, the people of Adavi, and the entire Ebira community, urging them to take solace in the enduring legacy of peace and unity he left behind.
Governor Ododo prayed for the peaceful repose of Alhaji Ozi-Salami’s soul and asked Allah to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Born in 1939, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was appointed District Head of Adavi in 1994, a position he held with distinction for over three decades. Throughout his reign, he was celebrated for his dedication to community development, conflict resolution, and the promotion of cultural heritage.
The late traditional ruler was buried on Wednesday according to Islamic rites at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area. The funeral was attended by family members, community leaders, and dignitaries who paid their last respects to the revered leader.
As Kogi State mourns the loss of a great leader, the legacy of Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami will continue to inspire generations to come. His life of service and commitment to peace remains a shining example for all.
