Gorontalo Customary Council Awards Posthumous Title to Rahmat Gobel

Gorontalo (ANTARA) - The Gorontalo Customary Council has posthumously awarded the garai title ‘Taa Lo’o Lamahe Lipu’ to the late Rahmat Gobel during a traditional assembly held in Gorontalo on Friday, as a mark of respect for his service to the region and the nation. Alim Niode, Daily Chair of the Gorontalo Customary Council, stated that the bestowal of the title was part of a series of tributes following his burial in Jakarta. ‘This event is part of the funeral rites. Because the burial took place in Jakarta, the traditional assembly to confer the garai is being held in Gorontalo,’ Alim said. ‘The first aim is a prayer for the deceased, that it may bring him blessings. The second is as counsel for us who remain, as well as inspiration and motivation.’ He explained that the title was determined through deliberation among customary leaders from the five traditional territories of Gorontalo along with representatives from other customary areas. The assembly saw several proposals before agreeing on a single title. The garai conferred is Taa Lo’o Lamahe Lipu, a shortened form of the full title Taa Lomaya lo Batanga, lo Dunga lo Nyawa, lo Tombulu lo Upango ode Lamahu Lipu. According to Alim, the title means the finest son of Indonesia from Gorontalo who dedicated his body, soul, and wealth to the prosperity of the nation. He noted that several customary considerations were taken into account in awarding the title. The customary leaders assessed that Rahmat Gobel possessed exemplary character, dedication, and a legacy of values that have brought widespread benefit to society. ‘Until the end of his life, he never spoke of his own interests, his family’s, or his business’s. What he thought about was how Gorontalo could continue to develop and receive support for its development,’ Alim said. One of the main considerations in the assembly was Rahmat Gobel’s consistency in fighting for the people’s interests, even actively communicating with the central government regarding Gorontalo’s development until his final days. The Gorontalo Customary Council considers Rahmat Gobel’s contributions to have transcended the regional level, as his service was carried out at the national level. ‘The garai given to him is different from previous ones, because his service was known not only in Gorontalo but also nationally. That is one of the reasons why this title carries such great meaning,’ Alim stated. He added that the garai will be officially announced to the public and inscribed on the late figure’s tomb as part of Gorontalo’s customary heritage and a reminder for future generations of Rahmat Gobel’s service to the nation and region.