Thursday, June 30, 2022, will remain fresh in the annals of the Idoma Nation in Benue state as the Idoma Kingdom rolled out the drums to celebrate the coronation of His Royal Majesty, the Och’Idoma V, Chief Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John. JOHN SHIAONDO was there.
The ceremony took place at the Och’Idoma Square in Otukpo, the ancestral home of the Idoma people of Benue state.
Odogbo, aged 52 years old, emerged as the Och’Idoma V in a keenly contested election held in Otukpo on December 30, 2021, after he scored 19 out of the 28 votes cast by the kingmakers, leaving his closest opponent with eight votes, while the third contestant had only one vote.
The election of the monarch of the second largest ethnic group in Benue state came following the hunting expedition embarked upon by the last Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Elias Ikoyo Obekpa, in October last year.
Although discordant tunes had trailed the process of his emergence with some people alleging an abuse of the Idoma tradition, culture and customs in the making of the king, others rejoiced greatly that the coming of the new monarch portends good news for the Idoma people.
At his coronation, six months later, the Otukpo town was in a near lockdown because of the heavy traffic to the venue. The occasion was graced by the crème de la crème in Idoma land and Benue, including friends of the Kingdom, First Class traditional rulers, eminent friends of the Idoma Nation, captains of industries and the political class.
Dedication, prayers
The high-point of the event was when the Idoma monarch dedicated the Idoma land to God. He led his subjects and friends or visitors among his people in fervent prayer to the Almighty God to heal Idoma land and uplift and protect his subjects.
Special prayer sessions were also held for the Och’Idoma and his family, traditional rulers, and the governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom.
Governor Ortom who led a team of government officials to the ceremony was in high mood having been the first governor ever in the state to perform the coronation of the paramount rulers of the two major ethnic groups in the state.
Performing the coronation ceremony and presenting the Staff of Office to the new paramount ruler of the Idoma Nation at the Och’Idoma Square in Otukpo, Governor Ortom noted that under his watch the traditional institution has made tremendous progress.
Speaking shortly before presenting the staff of office to the Och’Idoma, Ortom said the Agaba’Idu emerged through divine providence and, therefore, charged him to rule wisely in order to attract developments to his domain.
“Under my watch the traditional institution has made tremendous progress. The welfare of traditional rulers has been given top priority. Your Royal Majesty, your selection by the selection committee as the 5th Och’Idoma has undoubtedly brought joy to the people of the Idoma Nation.
“I have no doubts, whatsoever, that your reign will be peaceful. It is my further conviction that the support you are enjoying from your subjects will be sustained and together you can make the Idoma Nation better than you have met it,” the governor said.
Governor Ortom added: “It is, therefore, a great joy for me to be here to perform the coronation of the Och’Idoma and also to present a staff of office to him.
“It is my hope that before long we shall gather once again to commission a befitting palace for the Och’Idoma, which is about 90 per cent completed.”
In his acceptance speech, the Agaba’Idu, HRM, Elaigwu Odogbo John, pledged that fairness, equity, justice and peace would be his watchwords.
While dedicating the Idoma Nation to God, the paramount ruler, also pronounced peace upon Idoma land.
Goodwill, congratulatory messages
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Benue state for the 2023 general elections, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, in his congratulatory message to the new Och’Idoma, said his official enthronement marked the beginning of a huge responsibility to seek the face of God with honesty and sincerity of heart, to enable him to lead his people with wisdom, and the fear of God, as His faithful servant.
In message signed by the APC candidate, he said the ascension of the traditional duties also comes with many challenges and the ability to resolve them “which is why it is necessary to surrender the stool to God’s Holy Spirit, who has come to renew relationship with Him, and the subjects, to make the people understand everything that Christ teaches, for the glory of His Majesty to prevail, in the interest of peace, justice, and unity.”
Fr. Alia said, “As a quintessential servant of God, may He grant you the strength and a sense of direction to rule over the people with equity and justice.”
“On behalf of myself, family and the campaign team, I wish to join other well- meaning Nigerians to congratulate you on your coronation today, June 30, 2022, to rule over your people.”
Also, in his remarks, the Tor Tiv (V) and chairman of the Benue Traditional Council, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, congratulated the new monarch, saying his enthronement had added value to the Benue Traditional Council.
He promised, on behalf of his subjects, the Tiv people, and the Benue Traditional Council to support the new Lion of the Idoma Kingdom to succeed.
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