From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Attah Igala and President of Kogi State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty ,Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa11, has Inaugurated a 15-man Committee to organise Igala Annual Festival, Italo, after eleven years of being put on hold.
The Igala national festival initiated over a century ago for revival of the tribe’s cultural values,was put at abeyance in 2011 when politicians turned the venue in Anyigba into a theatre of political campaign and violence.
Inaugurating the Committee in his Palace at Idah , the Paramount Ruler urged the 15-man Committee to ensure that the venue of the cultural renaissance,. is not turned into arena for political campaign and violence as experienced over a decade ago.
According to the monarch, members of the Committee were not just chosen to reflect the geographical spread of Igalaland,they were also selected based on their character, expertise and ability to deliver on the age-long mandate of Italo, an annual assembly of Igala people at home and diaspora, initiated by his forebears to re-evaluate and project culture and language that are being threatened by globalization.
The royal father approved 30th and 31st December,2022 for the festival and maintained that Ayingba would continue to play host to the fiesta to enhance all inclusive participation.
He urged the Committee to hit the ground running immediately as it has limited time to reach out and organise a successful fiesta.
The members of the Committee include Chief (Dr) Jonathan Okpanachi ( Ofu) chairman, Mr Donatus Okpe (Olamaboro), Professor Armstrong Audu( Idah),Mr Salifu Adejo (Igalalamela), Mrs Charity Achimugu(Dekina/Ofu), Mr Barth Ademu( Ankpa), Mr Silas Omale(Dekina)
Dr Paul Egwemi( Ibaji), Mrs Agumage Onuche-Adejo ( Igalamela/ Ankpa), Mrs Blessing Ikwuji (Olamaboro)Mr Peter Ebiloma ( Dekina) ,Hajia Lami Usman ( Dekina),Mall Shaibu Umar Angulu (Bassa) andAlhaji Usman Okolo ( Dekina) .
His Royal Majesty advised the Committee to ensure that it is in regular consultation with the four palace Chiefs which include former INEC Resident Commissioner in-charge of Niger State, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Onucheyo(Ohimogbolo Ata),Ajofe Ibrahim Atadoga(Inalogu Ata), Chief Suleiman Igano( Emakoji Ata), Chief Jacob Ocheni(Odoma Ata), Chief Shaibu Iyaji Ogaji ( Onu Ega/ Egene Ata).
Chief (Dr) Jonathan Okpanachi is the Chairman, Italo Planning Committee and Mr Donatus Okpe will serve as the
Publicity Sub- Committee Chairman.