AtaIgala charges ICDA to foster Unity, peace security of Igala Kingdom as he inaugurates Exco in Idah,.
*Insulate traditional institutions from stranglehold of Governors– Ex. Naval Chief
* ICDA’s voice will be heard on National issues — Surgeon Commodore –Abdullahi
The AtaIgala ,HRM, Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa has charged the new Executive Committee Members of Igala Cultural Development Association ICDA to adopt new strategies that will foster deeper unity, peace and security in order to fast track development to Kogi East.
The Monarch, who is also the President, Kogi state traditional council, gave the charge on Saturday while administering oath of office to the newly elected National Executive Council 2024 of the Igala Cultural Development Association ICDA held in Idah, headquarters of Igala Kingdom.
He said , the ICDA has been an umbrella body and a symbol of the collective strength and sense of purpose for the Igala People, and advised them to keep the flame burning for a desired peace , security and development of the zone.
He, however regretted, that despite the ideals of the founding fathers, the body has of late became a home of disunity, lacking cohesion, desecration of Igala customs , tradition and value system.
Represented by Ejeh Dekina and Chairman, Dekina Local Government traditional Council, HRH, Usman Obaje, charged the new exco under the leadership of Surgeon Commodore Dr.Ahmed Abdullahi, to justify the overwhelming confidence the people repose in them, by weaving together, hitherto divergence opinions to drive the ICDA at this critical time in the history of Igala people.
He described the inauguration as an epoch making , marking a new beginning for the people and placed a burden on the Exco to exhibit visionary, purposeful and exemplary leadership to correct the short comings of the past.
” The new Exco must therefore strive assiduously to reverse the indiscipline, rot and lack of vision that characterised past leaderships of our cherished ICDA.
” I urge you to be selfless in the discharge of your responsibilities by putting Igala Kingdom and her people first in your activities, cast aside all Partisan political interests which have been the bane of the growth and development. Partisanship breeds greed, betrayal and lack of cohesion and objectivity within the ranks of any socio- cultural association.
” You must work harder to promote Igala Cultural and traditional values, even though the fears of the gods that our forefathers held tenaciously have been thrown to the winds as some of our children are committing crimes alien to us, such as Armed robbery, kidnapping, political thuggery, Yahoo plus,etc, therefore it behoves on your ingenuity to reverse the ugly trends” He admonished.
While assuring the new Exco of his support for the realisation of their mandate, commended the Board of Trustees BoT and CTC for holding forth and conducting credible, transparent and fairest election that produced highly competent, worthy and well respected sons and daughters of Igala Kingdom to drive the engine of the association at a very critical time of her existence.
Meanwhile, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin calls for adoption of an acceptable Natural leader whose voice shall be the collective voices of the zone.
The Naval chief advocated for a creation of constitutional roles for the traditional institutions where their appointments, remuneration and discipline shall be insulated from the Governors who flagrantly abuse the traditional institutions by deposing and suspending monarchs on frivolous allegations.
He disclosed that , every traditional institution has her unique mode of ascension and discipline in line with customs and traditions to select their monarch to lead them , lamented that the Traditional institutions have become a pawn in the hands of some overzealous governors who treats them like civil servants.
He tasked the new Exco, whom he described as people committed to Igala cause to introduce reforms that will galvanise the ICDA as a veritable voice on National Discourse.
Speaking on behalf of the 17 member Exco, President General of ICDA, Surgeon Commodore Dr.Ahmed Abdullahi promised to serve and hold tenaciously the values and customs of Igala in all the activities of the Association.
He assured that under his leadership, the voice of Igala Nation would be strengthened, and would be hear
d loud and clear within the purview of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria while working hard to engage and lobby the Federal and state governments to attract functional development to the zone.
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He solicited for cooperation and support from well meaning Igala sons and daughters to enable them succeed on the mandate given to them.
In a remark, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo represented by the Deputy Governor, Joel Oyibo Salifu assured of the administration’s commitment to partner with reputable Socio Cultural association like ICDA in inculcating their values and customs in the people for a better society.
He noted that his doors are wide open to receive them in audience and should not hesitate to call on him when needed.
In their separate remarks on behalf of their groups, Major General Patrick Akpa Rtd for the retired Military officers promised to stand by the President, Surgeon Abdullahi who is one of their strongest members whose wealth of experience would be brought to bear in the management of the association.
In the same vein, Dr. Rakiya Abaji assures of cooperation and synergy with Ukomu Igala, Ojuju Agbadufu and others of their unalloyed commitment to the success of the association.
She charged the Exco to work harder to earn the trust of the people, harping on keeping alive those values, norms and ethos that made Igala tick in the comity of ethnic nationalities.
The ceremony drew prominent Igala sons and daughters from all walks of lives who include: Sylvester Onoja, former principal Kings College, Lagos, Barr.Julius Elukpo PHD, Colonel Paul Baba; former Chief of Naval Staff Usman Jibrin ,prof.Armstrong Idachaba, Idoko Ilona, and Traditional rulers from across the Zone ,
