Abu Bebeji Akono Descendants has called on Kogi state government to recognize the annual Sallah Durbar Festival to improve on tourism potential s of the state and Nigeria.
President, Abu Bebeji Akono Descendants Association Worldwide, Dr. Aminu Musa Audu, made the call at the 2026 Salah Durbar Festival held at Etutuobo in Ugwolawo District, Ofu local government area of Kogi state on Saturday.
The Sallah Durbar procession was led by the Mandala AtaIgala, Alhaji Mahmoud Baba Haruna.
In his speech, Dr. Aminu requested that the historical traditional stool of Mandala Ata Igala be
considered for grading accordingly, to reflect its historical significance and status in Kogi state.
He also called on Kogi state government to consider Etutuobo-Ugwolawo road, Etutuobo-Ajaka road and
Etutuobo-Achago-Ajegu road for construction to facilitate rural transportation and development in the region.
Dr. Aminu, Aminu Musa Audu, a security theorist and consultant who currently serves on the Merseyside Independent Advisory Group providing expertise to the Merseyside Police in England, called for provision of community health clinic to help the people and their wellbeing.
He also called for the construction of Etutuobo Science Secondary School, Etutuobo
He explained that institutionalization of the Sallah Durbar festival was inspired by the over two decades of cultural heritage research about “Abu Awaina (Abu Bebeji and the Warfare in Pre colonial Igala Kingdom”. An empirical study that received the support of the Polish Academy of Sciences Institute of Sociology and Philosophy in conjunction with the Ohio State University in Columbus, USA and multicultural fellowship in Warsaw in 2012.
“This study, which I conducted led to the development of Ochamalienwu Theory of Community Policing in the context o f the doctoral thesis, while at the University of Liverpool United Kingdom. The theory later became a community security framework recognized for multi million Dollar community safety programmes by the Nigerian government, Danish Refugee Council and the United Nations, etc.
“It is imperative to inform our guests about the historical and cultural context of the Eid El Fitri Sallah Durbar Festival celebration today. It is indeed, staged in commemoration of the 17th century legendary Hausa warrior and Muslim scholar Mallam Abu Awaina (Abu Bebeji who was invited from Bebeji in present day Kano State to IDAH in present day Kogi State by the famous Iga la King Ata Ayegba Oma Idoko. Abu Bebeji Akono was decorated with chieftaincy title of Mandala Ata Igala of Angwa Ategune/Etutuobo in recognition of his decisive contributions to the defeat of the Jukun imperialism that led to the independence of the Igala Kingdom in 1690.
“Following the monumental victory, he was persuaded to stay to Following the monumental victory, he was persuaded to stay to safeguard the Kingdom.
“Consequently, his descendants and descendants descendants and descendants of his tactical team of his tactical team of six young men accounted for the vast presence of the vast presence of the Hausa descendants traditionally known as the Angwa Bebeji Lineage clans in IDAH, Ankpa and Dekina areas of Kogi State.
“Here in Etutuoboin Etutuobo is the final resting place of Abu Bebeji Akono whose life whose life time legacy sharply reflected inter–cultural cooperation, diplomacy, cultural cooperation, diplomacy, communal intelligence, social justice and harmony, mutual understanding and peace that endured for over two centuries until the year 1900 when the British colonialist took over what is known as Nigeria today.
“It is necessary to mention that, despite the rich historical and cultural heritage of this community, it lacks modern infrastructure such as health care facilities, water, electricity and road networks and other other essentials of life. Worse still, the traditional stool of Mandala Ata Igala has not been considered for grading by any government in power,” he said.
In his address, the Mandala Ata Igala, Chief Mahmud Baba Haruna, said the Salah Durbar celebration was instituted in honour of their progenitor, Sheik Abubakar Awaina (otherwise known as Abu Bebeji Akono).
He said the aim of the sallah durbar was to promote cultural exchange between Hausa and Igala communities, preserve their cultural heritage and traditions, foster community building and belonging, generate economic benefits for local businesses and honour their ancestors’ contributions to Igala history and culture.
Mandala Ata Igala pledged the support of his people to the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He also pledged loyalty to traditional rulers in Igala land.
“To His Royal Majesty, Ata Igala and President Kogi State Council of Chiefs, our loyalty is total. To His Royal Highness, Ejeh Ofu, your leadership has inspired us to serve our people with honesty and dedication; and to His Royal Highness, Onu Ugwolawo, we have no words with which to qualify your doggedness, commitment and service. We remain very grateful,” he said.
Dr. Yakubu Haruna Ugwolawo, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the Sallah Durbar Festival, promised that the event will be improved upon in subsequent years.
Despite the multiple high profile occasions that greeted the Eid el Fitri Sallah celebrations, the maiden durbar witnessed huge participation of prominent figures in the society ranging from officials of Kogi state government, royal fathers, civil society organisations, community leaders and leaders of thoughts.
