Dr. Michael Idakwo Oboni II : A Paragon of Courage and Unity Fondly Remembered

No matter how rich a man is, he hardly forgets those who are indebted to him. Like every government, the institution of Attah is a continuum. 

The indebtedness to Attah Igala in 1841 is an indebtedness to Attah Igala in 2020. If the British had paid up the full sum of 700,000 cowries, nobody would have been nagging about 'Igala imperialism' in 2020.

 In the same manner, the debt owed by colonial government that gave birth to the current system of government is a debt that hangs on the neck of the Buhari administration.

In contemporary Nigeria, the Land Use Act gives governors control over land, but if such land is being used for projects in the interest of the public, compensation must be paid to the 'traditional owners' of such land.

 The 27th traditional ruler of Igalaland Attah Igala Dr. Micheal Idakow Oboni II will be remembered for reclaiming lost territories of Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe LGAs ceded in 1841 after a faulty agreement mediated by the British colonialists in a landmark judgment by Donatus Okorowa.

He will be remembered for leading Royal Fathers across the state on a visit to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on June 19, 2019 where they added their voices to the Governor’s urgent demand for  federal attention to some crucial needs in Kogi State then, such as disaster management, release of special funding and provision of sundry infrastructures. It is a measure of the respect accorded the delegation that Mr. President responded with favourable actions soon after.

The memories of late Royal Father who advocated for rapid industrialisation of Igalaland and the Kogi East Senatorial District throughout his lifetime will forever remain fresh in our minds. He believed that widespread penetration of electricity was key to achieving this objective.

He will be remembered for solidarity and unalloyed support to Alhaji Yaya Bello APC led Administration’s signature initiative to replace competition and rivalry with cooperation and integration as the basis of engagement amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in Kogi state

He will be remembered for leading Royal Fathers across the state on a visit to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on June 19, 2019 where they added their voices to the Governor’s urgent demand for  federal attention to some crucial needs in Kogi State then, such as disaster management, release of special funding and provision of sundry infrastructures. It is a measure of the respect accorded the delegation that Mr. President responded with favourable actions soon after.

The memories of late Royal Father who advocated for rapid industrialisation of Igalaland and the Kogi East Senatorial District throughout his lifetime will forever remain fresh in our minds. He believed that widespread penetration of electricity was key to achieving this objective

He will be remembered for being a pragmatic , courageous leader determined  to see Idah-Aganabode bridge completed to make Igalaland the commercial nerve of Nigeria and as well to see  ‘Project Light Up Kogi East’ (PLUKE), a project designed to expand electricity infrastructure into all the local government areas of his kingdom. We pray the program will not transit with the demise of the paramount ruler. 

Credit: Koginfo