By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
OBA Frederick Durojaiye Balogun, the Olu of Apata and people of Akpata community in Oworo District of Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi on Monday embarked on a wide jubilation as their queen finally delivered a set of triplets after 17 years of waiting.
The Queen, Olori Teniola-Faith Balogun delivered the babies in the early morning of Monday at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja after 17 years of marriage to the Oba.
Oba Fredrick Balogun, the Olu of Apata whose Palace was agog with praise singing and dances as the people celebrated with the royal family, in apparent display of his faith, glorified the omnipotent God.
The elated Oba Frederick told journalists who visited him that God had been very faithful to his family over the past 17 years of waiting upon Him saying that they had put their trust in Him.
“This is our day of joy and rejoicing after receiving these precious gifts from God Almighty after several years of waiting and trusting Him.
“In fact, I am short of words to appreciate and thank God for what He has done for this royal family. No wonder people have gathered around to celebrate with us.
“Another impressive and wonderful thing our God has done for us is that the queen and the triplets are all in good health condition.”
He described the triplets as harbingers of good things to come and a sign that 2024 is a year of many good tidings coming the way of not just Apata community but Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.
The Oba also expressed gratitude to his family members, friends, people of Apata community and environs as well as the hospital management for standing by the family all through.
One of the chiefs, Elesho of Apata, Chief Ayodele Rufus-Balogun, in celebration mood, described the arrival of the triplets as “huge blessing” to the Apata community, the Oworo district and Kogi State.
“You can see for yourself how jubilant our people are over the birth of these triplets to our Oba. We are indeed grateful to God”, he said.
Mr Babatunde Adekunle, Secretary, Apata Community Development Association and close associate of the King, said year 2024 would remain indelible in the history of Akpata community.
“We are all gathered here singing and dancing because our joy is full with the blessing we have received from the Almighty God through our royal family”, Adekunle said. (Ends)