By Idris Isah
History was made on Friday as His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu Mathew Alaji Opaluwa was given a staff of office as the 28th Atah Igala in a colorful coronation in Idah, Kogi State.
Igala Kingdom, the 9th largest ethnic group in Nigeria erupted in celebration in Idah as the Atah Igala was given a staff of office by Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello.
HRM Agabaidu Mathew Alaji Opaluwa (Oguche Akpa 11) who emerged as Atah Igala from Aju AmeAcho lineage, one the four rulling house in a keenly contested race, succeeded Agabaidu Micheal Ameh Oboni, the immediate past Atah Igala from Aju Ocholi rulling house.
The Atah Igala, the president of Kogi State Council of Chiefs in his message to the people of Igala Kingdom promised to be a symbol of peace, unity and widespread development in Igala land, Kogi State and indeed Nigeria.
The Paramount ruler, a technocrat, who holds master degree in Business Administration from prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, promised to utilize his wealth of experience to fast tract development in the kingdom and nip in the bud all forms of social vices among the youth in Igala land and indeed Kogi State.
Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello who lauded the Igala nation for their culture of peace especially, the process that led to the emergence of HRM Agabaidu, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa the new Atah Igala, promised to build synergy with Agabaidu to speed up development in Kogi East.
The coronation of the Atah Igala was witnessed by a long list of dignitaries including Sultan of Sokoto, Akuka of Wukari, Emir of Lafia, Ochi’ Idoma, Ona of Abaji FCT, Paramount ruler of Itsekiri Delta State, representatives of O’oni of Ife and Oba of Benin.
Others include, former Governors of Kogi State, Alh. Ibrahim Idris, Captain Idris Wada, Kano State Governor, Senators Arc. Kabir Gaya, Jibrin Isa (Echocho) among others.
