Onoja, Ejeh Ankpa and the new Igala civilisation »

By Haruspice

When Chief Edward Onoja led the revolution for youthful governance in Kogi State as the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, many felt agitated and vexed. They didn’t see the wisdom in his decision, what they saw what an affront to the status quo. To them, why should the man dislocate the existing hegemony that favours just the old? He stood his ground as he scouted around for young people and fixed them into governance. Today, Kogi is run exclusively by young people in government.

It is that same spirit of youthful governance that has crept into traditional institutions; from Olamaboro to Ankpa, the Onoja dream is manifesting. These two traditional stools are currently mounted by young people. His Royal Highness, Ujah Simeon is cruising well as the ancestral head of Olamaboro Traditional Council, with his young age, he has catapulted Olamaboro to global wallpaper – he is connected to today’s trend and gyrate in the language of the new normal.

Yesterday, Kogi State stood still- no pun intended! The road from Abuja Gwarimpa axis through Gwagwalada down to Lokoja was littered with human presence – for a new king was riding on his horse of reckoning. Prince Abubakar Sadiq Ahmadu, the Ejeh designate was passing – to where? You may ask.

Having communed with his God by seeking sanctuary in the belly of the Kaaba tomb in Saudi Arabia, young Sadiq felt convinced that indeed the day of realization was here. Men spoke to him about the throne, he wasn’t convinced, until his communion with Allah during his Umrah sojourn. That was when he answered men and the journey to a new life of royalty began for him.

Riding in hundred of cars, escorted by an army of well-wishers, the new Ejeh civilisation rode in royalty as he hits Lokoja the state’s seat of government. The first point of call was the government house where he was received by the Deputy Governor Chief Edward Onoja on behalf of the Governor. That signalled the fulfilment of a personal advocacy championed by Edward, his dream of having young people at the helm of affairs is blossoming.

In mounted procession motivated by sheer love and admiration for the new Ejeh, the streets of Itobe through Anyigba lined up for the new king as the people ululated in exhilarating excitement. Indeed a king rode on the land yesterday and the message everywhere is that there is a new king.

The sleepy town of Ankpa came to life as everyone trooped out to welcome the new king. It was a sea of heads that greeted King Solo, Nigeria’s newest monarch. No history has ever captured such a tumultuous reception for any king in Ankpa like it happened yesterday. The town refused to sleep as the people gyrated joyfully into the morning.

For Prince Abubakar Sadiq Ahmadu Adaji aka Solo, this is the beginning of kingship as the journey into royalty births. Mai gwe Ejeh! Agaaaagwu.

Royally musing