Current development strides in Igalaland, a prophecy fulfilled

Stakeholders in Igala kingdom have admitted that the current surge of development across Igalaland are a sign that the area has come of age to reclaim its place of glory and the curse hitherto placed on the land by the former Attah – Igala, Ameh Oboni I lifted.

This submission was made on Friday at a gathering called by Igala Cultural Development Association which held at the Igala Unity House in Anyigba.

Speaking to newsmen at the occasion, the President of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Amodu, expressed gratitude on the goodwill being enjoyed by the Igala socio-cultural group which has culminated in the level of all-round development going on in the area.

He said ICDA under him works closely with members of the traditional institutions in Igalaland, comprising of all classes of chiefs from all parts of the land to ensure they change the narrative about Igalas’ understanding their history and culture.

Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, while thanking the stakeholders for the level of support enjoyed in his tenure, regretted why some Igala citizens would criticise traditional rulers from the area who support policies of government to bring positive growth to the area.

He particularly frowned at the public backlash against the recent visit by traditional rulers to President Muhammadu Buhari which culminated in the release of the bailout fund used to offset salary arrears by the present administration and said the focus has always been on the progress of all parts of the land irrespective of who was instrumental.

He also praised the present administration of Governor Yahaya Bello for taking concrete steps to address the electricity problem in Igalaland as a response to one of its memos to government on the same subject matter.

In their separate interviews with journalists, the Ejeh of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje; the Ejeh of Ibaji, HRH John Egwemi; and the Ejeh of Olamaboro, Chief Simeon Ujah, all elaborated on how the prophecy of Chief Ameh Oboni I was coming to pass as he had predicted before his demise that it was when one of his direct lineage ascends the throne of Attah that the desired development would be achieved in the area.

They all praised the developmental strides in the area and in all parts of the state under the current administration, and expressed their commitment to working closely with government to ensure overwhelming development for the land.

According to them, the Igala are major stakeholders in the Kogi project to unite the people of the state beyond just the Igala people and praised government for contributions to completing the Igala Unity House, the road projects, the ongoing electrification project among others.

The occasion also witnessed the premiere of a short movie showcasing a brief history of Igala Kingdom, the people, the curse that held down their efforts to achieve development and those who helped to break that curse titled; “Fulfilling Prophesy.”

The occasion also had in attendance the Etemahi of Igalamela/Odolu LGA, HRH Abel Emakoji Etu; the Onu of Abocho, HRH Alhaji Tijani Okutachi; the Ogohi – Onu Anyigba, HRH Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, HRH Abdulmalik Umar, the Onu of Ankpa among other members of the traditional institutions from all parts of Igalaland.