Chief Onoja Harps on Unity, Genuine Sacrifice at IST Pan Igala Summit in Idah »

Kogi State Deputy Governor and Olimene Attah Igala, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja (CIK), has drummed an urgency for the Igala Kingdom to return to its ancient roots of genuine sacrifice, love, unity, and mutual respect which helped the former generations achieve renowned successes.

He spoke on Saturday during the 2nd Pan Igala Summit organized by the Igala Strategy Team (IST) in collaboration with the Cultural and Development Associations in Igala Kingdom which was held at the Judith Attah Lecture Theatre, Federal Polytechnic, Idah.

Chief Onoja joined forces with Lead Presenter, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, HRH Ohiomogbolo Attah, and other panelists in appreciating the IST for its concerted effort to promote an instructive development agenda for Igala Land.

Stressing the need for genuine restructuring, he noted that the Igala Nation has been far too balkanized along egocentric lines, saying Igala Land is blessed with the natural, material, and human resources to expedite the paradigm shift it craves.

He reacted to the thoughts of Chairman of the occasion, Chief Daniel Akoh on the “North Central” debacle, saying though the Region has suffered neglect for years, the past Leadership crux is to blame. He upheld the successes of Governor Bello as a notable example who has gained traction as the North Central’s gift to the nation, stating that such a person deserves Regional support to fulfill his ambition as the country’s next Leader. He added that until the people of the center rises above party leadership to national leadership we may not get our desired expectations, stating that now a tender voice rises we must flow with the wind not against it.

According to him: “While we are highlighting the existing challenges, we must also strive to recognize the efforts being put in place to curtail them.”

He referenced the divine instructions leading to Governor Bello’s assumption of Office before 2015, noting that there would have been severe implications if defaulted. “All I heard was a divine leading penned down from 2006 which I obeyed, and if anyone thinks I had the capacity to make Yahaya Bello Governor, then they are missing it,” he stressed.

He faulted former Igala Leaders for being subsumed in complacency, personal and pecuniary gains, saying the IST provides an opportunity for Igala Land to return to the drawing board. He lauded the proposed Blueprint for the Development of Igala Nation, saying it was expedient if further development must be attracted to the more than 2000 communities across the 9 LGAs of Kogi East, with even a greater demand to invest in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution to upshoot IGR and attract investments.

“I have continually insisted that what we need is Power, and I mean Electrification, not political power,” he clarified.

He asked participants to get on a ride from Idah to Ayingba and back to see firsthand, the impact of the Governor Bello led-administration in Igala Land.

He congratulated Kogi State and the Igala Nation on the naming of Attah Designate urging all groups and individuals to give their best for a grand installation process, advocating that the love so mouthed be transformed from just lips service to practical action.

Chief Onoja reiterated his commitment to putting the people far above personal interest highlighting the very many modest personal and government projects and interventions with help of the Governor and other spirited friends and well-wishers. He concluded by saying it is a no-brainer to raise such initial funds since over N500m was expended by Igala sons and daughters in the quest to govern Kogi in 2019. He committed to kick-start his commitment with N25m paid over a period of months from his allowances and support of friends across the globe, asking others to give their best and put their treasures where their hearts are.

Thematic areas covered during the Summit were Leadership Challenges in Igala Land, Kogi East and the National Discourse, Security, the Igala Development Fund, amongst others with the IST Protem Chairman, Prof. Godwin Ogbadu disclosing a foremost meeting of think tanks in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

He said resolutions fulcrumed on economic development through investment in agriculture, health, education, security, and an Igala Development Fund. Other panelists espoused the ancient Igala history, its contemporary challenges, and potential escape routes.