HUNGARY'S commercial attaché to Nigeria Peter Kondricz has been conferred with the traditional title of Jekada of Turakin Kebbi in appreciation of his contributions to the local community.
Mr Kondricz, who is also the embassy's first secretary, was turbaned over the weekend at NSK Farms in the Kebbi State capital by Nura Kangiwa, the Turakin Kebbi. After he was formally turbaned, the ceremony was followed by cultural show and a novelty polo match in his honour between Grandfishing and Matam Fada.
Grandfishing's team included Nura Kangiwa, the patron of NSK Farms; Haruna Shagari; Umaru Yusuf and Isa Dogonyaro, the patron of Dogonyaro Farms. On the other hand, the Matam Fada team led by Abdulhamid Auna, had high profile players including Taman Timothy, Mohammed Ibrahim and Kabir Bage.
According to Alhaji Kangiwa the new Jekada of Turakin Kebbi was decorated with the title because of his sterling qualities, amiable character and integrity. He explained that the title, Jekada meant an envoy or emissary to the Turakin Kebbi, adding that the recipient was a personal friend, confidant and lover of the people.
Alhaji Kangiwa added: “Your appointment into the exalted position of Jekada of Turakin Kebbi is guided by our collective and careful judgment of your ability, credibility and capability. This is to provide the required purposeful contribution to the development of our people and society at large.”
Mr Kondricz, who expressed appreciation for the recognition, said the honour was not only for him but for the entire people of Hungary. He pledged to continue to do his best for the local community in Kebbi State.
“My primary mission is to develop the business relationship between my country, Hungary, and Nigeria. I will also do my best to help my friend, Kangiwa to develop his farm here in Kebbi as well as agriculture in Kebbi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Mr Kondricz added.
Lim Juay Jin, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, who was a guest at the occasion, said it was an opportunity to have first-hand information on the culture of turbaning. He added that this kind of cultural exchange between countries needs to be encouraged as it makes for better understanding, appreciation and tolerance of one another.