The Attah of Igala and Chairman of the Kogi Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II has described the governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yayaha Adoza Bello as the restorer of Igala culture.
The Attah of Igala disclosed this on Friday while addressing members of Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) who are on an investigative tour of the state to discover the achievement or otherwise of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration in the state.
The royal father who described the governor as a leader with great vision and dedication despite his youthful age expressed appreciation to him for reviving his people’s lost culture by lifting the ban on certain cultural festivals that has bonded his people together for decades.
The Attah who insisted that Igala traditional festivals has no negative effect on the people but a unifying event for Igala tribe across the country and forms of entertainment disclosed that certain Igala festivals were banned over 65 years ago due to overzealousness by some people. He noted that some cultural festivals of the Igala people were banned due to the colonial masters’ misconceptions about them.
“If we are to talk about Governor Yahaya Bello’s achievement in culture you won’t leave here today. The governor is someone who understands the value of culture. Culture is everything. Our language, attitude, proverbs, way of cultivating farms are all ways of expressing our culture. Some of our culture lost its potency and became adulterated.
“But the governor has wiped away our tears. Our festivals were erroneously proscribed and we pray for those who did it to be forgiven,” he said.
On other achievements of the governor in Kogi East, the Attah disclosed that, ”Governor Yahaya Bello has done well for the Igalas. He is constructing Idah-Anyigba road to make the road that have not received government attention for many years to be motorable.
“The governor also released payment of counterpart fund of Idah-Agenebode Bridge amounting to $2million that will serve as gateway for South East and North West states from Idah. When completed it will open up Idah to the world, create jobs for productive youths and boost Kogi economy.”
Speaking on the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, the first class royal father who noted that power is given by God advised Igala people to be united and speak with one voice stressing that this is the only way to ensure that the people become a force to reckon with in the state.
Earlier, the NGIJ team had visited Kogi East Senatorial district to interact with residents in the area and conduct an opinion poll that will form the basis for a special report to be made public by the Guild soon. The team continues her investigative tour on Saturday with visits to Kogi West and Central.
