Onogwu Galacticus, Lokoja.
The Attah of Igala and the Chairman, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu (Dr) Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni ll has decried the marginalization of IGALA nation in the distribution of resources and power by the federal government and called on all IGALA Sons and Daughters, home and in the diaspora to come together and talk in a United voice that will ensure peace, progress and development of IGALA Land. The Attah made the call on the occasion of his third year anniversary on the throne as the Attah IGALA in Idah today.
In his opening speech, the Attah described the presence of the Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Bello as an affirmation of the governor’s commitment and understanding of the various segments that make up the state. Dr Idakwo said, within the shortest period of BELLO’s reign as governor of Kogi, the governor has identified and tackled the endemic problems bedeviling the state with the rapidity of a general’s order. While wishing the governor God’s guidance in the Herculean task of redirecting the state, The Royal Majesty appealed to the governor to use his ingenious approach to issues to reconstruct the Ida-Anyigba road which he said, has defied all solutions and regimes.
While describing the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as a new chapter in the nation’s political history regarding accountability, Justice, fairness and equity, the Attah of IGALA decried the marginalization of IGALA kingdom since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 and urging that the change mantra of the federal government should focus more attention on Kogi state in general and IGALA kingdom in particular. He said whatever changes occur in the nation without adequately addressing the structural and socio-political deficiencies suffered in IGALA land will be grossly inadequate and exercise in futility.
While assuring the people that the solution to the oil wells dispute between Kogi and Anambra state is within, the Attah IGALA said he has invited the two warring parties in the conflict between the people of Odeke and Echenwo in Kogi state and the people of Aguleri in Anambra state to find lasting solution to the conflict.
Taking time to explain the movement of IGALA within Nigeria, HRM said the IGALA people were once an indivisible entity until in the 19th century, due to the ignorance of the colonial masters of the people’s history and geographical configurations Balkanized and dispersed the IGALA into three provinces, namely; the Idah district was merged with Onitsha district, Ankpa with Munchi province and Dekina forming part of the Nasarawa province. He said in 1918 during the reign of Attah Oguche Akpa, the three districts came together and were merged with the northern province but not without some damages in which some of the IGALAS were ignorantly left behind in the present day Enugu, Anambra, Nasarawa, Benue, Delta and Edo states thus drastically reducing the numerical strength of the IGALA Nation. He said this singular act by the colonial masters and its acceptance by IGALA frontline nationalists has been the main cause of IGALA’s loss of strength and voice in national matters.
According to HRM, Attah Amocheje has signed a treaty with the British as early as 1841, twenty years before Lagos signed a treaty with them in 1861,the IGALA nation had been a very strong kingdom, controlling the commercial activities and navigation on the Niger River at Idah many years before the advent of the White men. He also reminded the people that as early as 1963 during the national head count, the IGALA tribe was declared the MINTH (9th) largest ethnic group in Nigeria despite her reduced geographical spread, and consequently listed among the national languages.
Lamenting the marginalization of IGALA Nation by the federal government, HRM narrated notable IGALA sons who have risked their skins for the success of Nigeria as a country; late Dr Abubakar Usman whom he described as an ebullient political analyst that ensure the emergence of Alh Shehu Shagari as president under NPN but was just honored as minister for state, foreign affairs. He said Abubakar died in the course of serving the nation in a plane crash while on a peace mission to São Tomé and Príncipe. Dr Stephen Achema plaid a very Cardinal role in the election that brought in Former president Olusegun Obasanjo but was just given appoint as senior special assistant to the president and was serving in that capacity until he died in auto crash, the same way the late legal icon, Barr James Enejo Ocholi was instrumental to the merger of APC and the subsequent victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls in 2015.
He also reminded the people that, the military government of Gen Ibrahim Babangida created local government areas in Kogi central and west but despite the numerical strength of the IGALA, no local government was created in the district even though local government areas were created twice in both central and western districts of the state.
HRM said Kogi east was ‘honored’ with a harvest of five ministers of state of which one was elevated by accident along the line to substantive minister. In the history of Nigeria, Kogi East has had only three ambassadors of which the last one was appointed during president Obasanjo’s administration about ten years ago to Botswana. Dr Idakwo went further to say that it was on record that out of over fifty (50) federal ministries, parastatals, departments and agencies of the federal government, no IGALA indigene is considered fit to head one despite being ninth in terms of number going by the 1963 census, describing the situation appalling considering the contribution of IGALAS to the development of Nigeria. HRM said when the allocation of resources, power, and position are subject of controversies, then one can easily imagine what befalls the equitable distribution of those resources and consequently even development.
He called on all IGALA sons and daughters to come together and unit to speak in one voice, work and pray for the development of IGALA Nation.
In his felicitation message, The governor of Kogi state, Alh Yahaya Bello who described the Attah of IGALA as the biggest Masquerade in the land said, he was pleased to be part of Nigerians from all over the world, friends and tourists from foreign lands and other categories of people who converged to celebrate the third anniversary of HRM Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni ll on throne as the Attah of IGALA.
Describing the Attah IGALA as a father of immense foresight and forthrightness, Gov Bello said on his campaign visit to Attah IGALA sometime ago, HRM charged him to be bold and courageous and to expect divine help from above in his political struggle.
In fulfilling his promise, the governor said “we promised your RM that we shall be detribalized and we are making every attempt to live up to that promise. I took the oath of office 59 days ago. Immediately after the event, I appointed one o your sons, Hon Edward Onoja from Emonyokwu, Ogugu district of Olamaboro local government area as my Chief of Staff. This is the first time a governor in Kogi state has filled that sensitive position with someone outside his tribe. In our appointments and actions in office, we have made sure that there is something for every part of the state and many more are yet to come. I am ready to work with anyone who believed Kogi can be greater”.
“A legend of Igalaland has it that when another direct descendant of Ameh Oboni the first sits again on the throne as Attah IGALA, IGALA nation will see unprecedented development. By the grace of God in heaven, Your Royal Majesty you are that direct descendant and I am the governor who will fulfill that prophecy”.
Gov Bello promised HRM that his administration will develop Igalaland as rapidly and as extensively as resources and equity to all parts of Kogi will allow.
The governor said, on the 24th of March, 2016, exactly 57 days of his assumption of office, his administration has paid salaries to all civil servants in Kogi state whose nominal roll was forwarded and guaranteed by heads of their parastatals or offices. Noting that the ongoing screening exercise has yield tremendous success, the governor appealed to the traditional rulers and stakeholders to cooperate with his administration to move the state forward.
Speaking earlier, the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party urged the people to support the present administration, noting that it’s only God who gives power to who He wants. He said Ebira and IGALA has filial relationship and are brothers and sisters.
Other speakers at the occasion include Prof Seidu Muhammed Oga, Chairman of Idah Local Government and host of others.
Dignitaries at the occasion include former chief of defense staff Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, former chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Jibrin, the deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Simon Achuba, Chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi state, Hon Edward Onoja, auditor general of the state and other top government officials, Comrade Mohammed Ali and other local government chairmen, foreign and local dignitaries, religious leaders and traditional rulers.
