From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
As the new Ata’Igala, HRM Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa received his Staff of Office over the weekend, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has admonished him to rule with the fear of God and strive to unite the people of Igala kingdom for socio-economic development of the state and country as a whole.
Bello also urged the monarch to abstrain from politics in his actions and decisions throughout his tenure.
Bello gave the charge in Idah when he presented the staff of office to the royal father as the 28th Ata’Igala.
The new Attah took his oath of office and oath of allegiance at about 1pm in a fanfare ceremony witnessed by thousands of Igala ethnic nationalities and personalities from outside the state.
He said the era of imposition of traditional rulers on the people was over, expressing satisfaction with the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion.
Bello urged him to reach out to those who contested with him and extend his hands of fellowship, even as he warned against the politicisation of the Ata’Igala stool.
In his brief remarks, the new Attah Igala, Matthew Opaluwa, promised to use the stool to galvanise the people to engender socio-economic development in the state and the country in general.
End.