ACHẸRẸ T’ỌGBA: THE MANTRA OF IGALA ELDERS
By DAN EJIH, Esq.
The first official proclamation of HRM Agabaidu, Matthew Alaji Opaluwa (Oguche Akpa II), Ata Igala on the occasion of his public presentation of Staff of Office at the Civic Centre, Ata Igala Palace, 4th March, 2022, to wit, that Igala is one not withstanding geographical location, heralded formally a new dimension to Igala trado-cultural Renaissance. By this proclamation, a new dawn of all inclusions in the Igala developmental project has been opened.
There is however an imperative which is Germaine to the new dawn, the mantra of Igala Elders. Conceptually, and traditionally to the unique tradition of Igala people, this is one key that must unlock any future in comatose or rather not honoured. This is owing to many reasons, which are not statutory and does not suffice to allow it fallow. The institution was not constituted at any point, but evolved from time to time with the people and from the beginning as a driving shaft of Igala greatness. It has produced array of Igala patriots and historical symbol, who had risen to leadership challenges in the past; the Stephen Achemas, Prince Abubakar Audu and many more of our immediate past. We have veterans of this old school who are with us like Chief Ahmadu Ali, and lead force within the age bracket. Fired by the younger generation they attempted to act for Igala nation in most miscalculated political outing ever, owing to refusal to do consensus. Many saw the colossal loss as nose diving into sea splashing doomsday on the ace long tradition on trust in the Elders in Council, and foisting of darkness all over the land and the people, an eclipse of some sort.
Yes it was, but with variants degree of culpability by all of us. Seemingly, underneath the debacles are some forces against Igala nation in power struggle. The rest is history
This is not to write a third Book of Chronicles or another Book of Lamentations but to awakening all to re- discovery, to wit, return to retention of our unique value of reverence for the Elders. The Elders too must re-enact confidence again.
ACH’ÈRÈ TOGBA advocates for a proclamation of reinvented corporate Eldership in Council. There are still many Elders that are untainted within our climes: Chief Gabriel Adukwu, Chief Sylvester Onoja and Chief Ahmadu Ali and their likes must like trojan forces sit down with Agabaidu in realm to reconfigure a new vision. Emergent generation crop of successive young people must pull off from their extreme conclusion that the Igala nation can chant a new course without veteran war horses. Networks of war horses still drive Nigeria national course. Any attempt to disconnect with ours makes it impracticable to adequate stay our seat in the comity of Nigeria Ethnicity.
