The Igala people have every reason to honour the memory of their departed leaders. From the late John Urah to Dr. Stephen Achema and Prince Abubakar Audu, these figures helped shape political thought, public service, and collective aspirations across generations. Their contributions remain part of the story of Igala land. Yet remembrance, however noble, cannot substitute for leadership. A people who spend too much time looking backward may struggle to see the opportunities ahead.
The deaths of many respected political elders left more than emotional wounds; they created a vacuum in experience, influence, and strategic direction. In the years since, public conversations have often returned to what these leaders would have done, how they would have responded, or whether the present generation measures up to their standards. Such reflections are understandable. However, communities do not advance by preserving memories alone. They advance by cultivating new leaders capable of meeting the demands of their own time.
Every generation faces challenges different from those of its predecessors. The issues confronting young Igala professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and political actors today are not identical to those that confronted earlier leaders. Economic realities have changed. Political alliances have shifted. The tools of engagement have evolved. While the wisdom of past statesmen remains valuable, solutions for today’s problems must come from today’s leaders.
The Igala nation stands at a crossroads. It cannot remain a museum of political memories, however cherished those memories may be. A museum preserves history; a society must create it. The achievements of departed leaders should serve as a foundation, not a ceiling. Their legacies should inspire ambition rather than encourage comparison that discourages emerging voices.
The true test of respect for past leaders is not endless nostalgia. It is the willingness to build upon what they started. Prince Abubakar Audu, Dr. Stephen Achema, John Urah, and others belonged to a generation that answered the call of its time. The responsibility now belongs to a new generation. History has already written their chapter. The question is whether today’s leaders are prepared to write the next one.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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