Atta Igala receives staff of office, as Gov. Bello urge him to lead with fairness, Justice »

The Igala Kingdom was in intense celebration on Friday as the Paramount ruler of the Kingdom, HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa was administered the oath of office and presented with the staff of office as the 28th Atta Igala by the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The epoch event which marked the begining of his rule over the Kingdom, witnessed an array of traditional and political dignitaries from across the country.

Governor Bello in his charge to the Royal father urged him not to politicize his new position but serve in the good interest of the people as he leads with the fear of God, fairness and justice as the banner of his reign.

While the Governor expressed that the selection of a new Atta was always a complex activity which involved the merger of modern and traditional laws of the land, however asserted that the newly installed Atta of Igala Kingdom was done with respect to the rightful rotation among the four royal houses.

He added that the New Direction Government has brought sanity into the issues of emergence of traditional rulers and chiefs in the state which in previous time were huge source of scuffle and crisis through ensuring fairness and non interference in the selection and emergence of such position.

He noted that his administration has graded and upgraded several stools since the inception of his government which in the past were neglected.

While the Governor acknowledged the sportsmanship of fellow contenders who showed interest in the Atta stool, he noted that their actions after the emergence of the new Atta was a true indication that they loved the land and its people genuinely.

The governor admonished the Atta to extend his arm of friendship to all and sundry of the land and beyond while ensuring that under his leadership the Igala Kingdom and the State at large witnessed Unity, peaceful co-existence and progress.

Governor Bello assured of the state government’s commitment to a smooth working relationship with the traditional institution in the state adding that their welfare and benefits remained a priority of his administration.

Also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Saad Abubakar iii on behalf of the Northern traditional Rulers council noted that such leadership mandate was God given adding that all the traditional rulers council would give him the needed support at all times.

He added that, the Atta has a big role to play even in such a time in the nation’s politics, as he has emerged at a very difficult time but he should do his best not only to the Igala people but to the entire nation.

While expressing the confidence in the traditional ruler’s ability to lead the people, the Sultan thanked Gov. Bello for ensuring fairness in the process and the people of Igala Kingdom for entrusting their affairs in the hands of a God chosen leader.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja while delivering a vote of thanks, praised Governor Yahaya Bello for ensuring a peaceful and popular process that saw to the emergence of the new Atta. He said the governor has proved himself one more time to be a lover of the Igala Kingdom, calling on the people to continue in their support for the government and the Atta to achieve overall development of the kingdom.

Speaking Earlier, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bar. Ozigi Deedat noted that the glamor of the event indicated that people were at peace with the new leadership and the kingdom, united for a broader developmental agenda.

The Commissioner expressed that the process of the emergence of the new Atta Igala followed a non interference policy of the New Direction Government leading to a transparent process of a credible and popular candidate for the position.

He reminded that the Attah of Igala emerged at such a time when there is a well established mutual understanding between the traditional rulers and the state noting that the peace and security enjoyed in the state was largely because of the cooperation of the royal fathers.