The second Friday of the year 2022, 14th January was a unique day in the history of Jukuns, and indeed the entire Kwararrafa descendants as their supreme Leader, His Majesty, Dr.
Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi Kuvyu II CON was formally accompanied to join his ancestors at the Aku-uka designated Burial ground “Nando” in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.
Our Correspondent who was at the occasion reports that Wukari the head Quarters of the Kwararrafa Kingdom stood still as there was no vehicular movement, both private and public Schools as well as business places were closed to honour the Aku-uka who joined his ancestors in October 2021.
Investigation by our Correspondent reveled that the event of such magnitude took place over 50 years ago, as those who had never seen the “Pankya” which is the final traditional rite of His Majesty were dazzled to their bones.
According to the Chairman of Ibi local government council, Hon. Bala Bako who is also the Taraba state ALGON Chairman, said he is witnessing “Pankya” for the second time in his life.
“This is my second time of witnessing such an occasion, the last one took place in 1972, so the generation behind us are in high spirit to see for themselves and to be part of this event, if there is no event, there won’t be history, so this event has equally added colour to our reach culture because our culture is unique in the whole of this country.
“I believe that God after creating Adam and Eve, the next set of people He created were the “Apajukun” and all Kwararrafa descendants, so we are here to pay our last respect to our Supreme Leader who served us for 45 years, I said He served us because he has brought peace and development to us as a people, he was a leader with exceptional virtue that cannot be described in a sentence or a word” said Bako.
Also speaking in an interview, the Fagachin Keffi and District Head of Keffi who represented the Emir of Keffi, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Shamsuddeen Abubakar Maikasuwa, said the Aku-uka His Majesty, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi was a great Pillar that holds the Kwararrafa People together, describing him as a father who led the Kingdom to greatness, saying that they came to Wukari to pay their last respect to the Monarch.
The Royal father, enjoyed the next Aku-uka to emulate his predecessor who against all odds ensured that peace reign supreme and has uplifted the status of the Kwararrafa kingdom, reiterating that he was a role model.
Our Correspondent also gathered that the procession known as “Akye” kicked-off at 7:30 am from the Aku-Uka Palace where all the male Children of Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi in their numbers matched barefooted with his official belongings to Puje, where mourners all converged and paid their last respects before they matched further to “Nando” his final place of abode.
Present at the “Pankya” ceremony was Traditional rulers from across the nation in the likes of Gara of Donga, Longomai of Shandam, representatives of Attah Igala, Ochi Idoma, Emir of Keffi, Chief Mark Elayo Turaki of Kiana.
Also, politicians from both local, state, and the National Assembly members, Tourists, citizens and residents of Taraba state, and a mix of persons from diverse walks of life attended the “Pankya” traditional ceremony, while Governor Darius Ishaku was represented by the Chief of staff, Government House, Hon. Istifanus Gbana.