By Abdul Aji
The Ata Igala, His Royal Majesty, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche, on Monday, November 9, 2021, commenced coronation rites as he made a triumphant entry into Ugwolawo, amid mammoth crowd that thronged out to receive him. It has been a thing of joy and apprehension for the entire Igala people in Kogi State since the appointment and traditional installation of the new Ata of Igala land to the exalted stool of his fathers. His appointment was announced by the Kogi State Government, via the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Abdulsalam Izigi Deedat, on October 18, 2021; eight months after Attah Idakwo Micheal Ameh Oboni II “went hunting on 27th August, 2020 and never returned.
Traditionally, his entry into Ugwolawo, headquarters of Ofu Local Government was taken to be a return from a hunting expedition and he was then welcomed home by the people who must have been waiting for him. It is believed that an Ata Igala does not die, he goes into hunting expedition and returns, may be, in a different human form and name.
He was received by an Achadu chief named Ikabi, at a hut in Ugwolawo, where the Ata Igala (designate named as Aidokoanya) prayed for the prosperity of Igala land; in the prayers which were translated and echoed in Igala language. The Ata prayed for the welfare of Igala sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to fare well. Ugwolawo was a beehive of activities with people travelling from far and near to witness the coronation rites that culminated into being enthroned on the seat of his ancestors. The coronation rite was full of encomiums and praises as Igala sons and daughters prayed for Ata Igala’s long life on the throne of his ancestors.
It was creme-la-creme, great men and women, professionals, friends of Ata from all over the country came around to pay homage. Some who were given opportunity spoke well of him particularly his old school mates. The trustee members of Igala Cultural and Development Association, ICDA, a socio-cultural apex body of Igala groups, that earlier pledged support for the new Ata Igala were part of the events. Traditional rulers, district heads and community leaders were not left out in making it early to Ugwolawo to grace the occasion. The Eje of Ugwolawo, His Royal Highness Akwu Obaje was prominently among the leads. Even some members of the ruling house who opposed his appointment initially soon put their disagreement behind them and joined the ceremony.
At Ugwolawo the Ikabi who is greeted, doogbor, presented some items to the Aidoko anya at the thatch house where the Ata designate was relocated to start attending to people. There was musical entertainment and traditional dances till day break. The following morning the Aidoko anya woke up from the thatch house and prepared for Idah journey. As they set to take off the thatch house was set ablaze and ceremonial curse was pronounced that “as from today you will not have two houses to stay apart from the palace”. This is because the Ata Igala cannot be a visitor to anybody anywhere. Ata abode till he goes on final hunting expedition is the palace, as he is not expected to have property outside the palace.
Everybody expected the Ata designate to trek from Ugwolawo to Idah. Aidoko anya must not trek to Idah, He can use any means and mode of transportation. During the time of our great grandfather the commonest and the major means of movement is by foot, and later as civilization comes into the land they started using horses and now there are vehicles of different types, model and designs available which can be used.
When the Aaidoko anya arrived at Idah his first point of call was to visit the Igalamela Chiefs headed by Etemahi where he expressed his appreciation to them for putting everything together for him to be chosen. He then informed them to sit up and put their house in order to perform their duties effectively to make his coronation a success.
After this He moved to Achadu’s palace, where the major ceremony was handled by Achadukwu Achadu, greeted as Iye Okpoh and Ikabi. The Aidoko anya’s ears was pierced by Achadukwu Achadu. While nursing the ears for healing, the Ikabi went to ask for his hand in marriage from Adokpulu with cola nut and black drink. On the day of leaving Achadu’s palace yam pounding ceremony was performed. Yam was cooked and put into the mortar for the Aidoko anya to pick the pestle and pound, while doing that chief Ikabi took the pestle and continue.
The Aidoko anya then moved from Achadu palace to Okwuta Eleche, that is at Inachalo River source, for a ceremony at the place of “Ata head stone” o’de oji Ata by Chief Achanyiwo and Chief Ohioga Ata, after which the Aidoko anya moved to Adokpulu Aganapoje.
At Ojaina, previous Atas burial area, in the palace of Adokpulu Aganapoje, the Aidoko anya presented a plate of cola nut and some token with it to the Adokpulu Aganapoje Chief. After the acceptance of the gift and little ceremonies, the Adokpulu Aganapoje in turn presented to Aidoko anya two single beads one on the right wrist and the other on the left wrist which is tagged, Oli Owo, with the pronouncement that, “I am handing the throne of your father or grandfather to you today”. The Adokpulu then called Chief Achadu Ogbe to take Aidoko anya to the Egbe burial site. At the same time, Chief Adokpulu Aganapoje directed Chief Ata Ebo to stand by the road side with the Okwute attah, and send a message to Adokpulu Aganapoje, that he is here with the Okwute what shall he do with it, Chief Adokpulu in turn sent Egwu Ola to go and lead the Ata Ebo with Okwute to the Atas burial site, efu egbe ojaina, this is because it is forbidden for okwute to enter Adokpulu’s palace. From there Egwuola took Ata ebo down to go and perform his duties on Okwute, while Achadu Ogbe took Aidoko anya down to perform their part of the ceremony. On returning from Egbe, the burial site through the foot road back of Inachalo, he stopped at Ukpanya Kpokwunor for the last ceremony before moving to Ofukolo for the Ogwe Onu-ede.
At Ofukolo the Onubiogbo and Onuede, Adenyi Agaidoko Ata ebo were there to perform some certain duties. The Onu-ede did the re-birth ceremony to Aidoko anya to enable him become Ata Igala and Onubiogbo cleansed the Otutubatu and made sacrifice to it. The Adenyi Ata brought the box containing the royal regalia for the new born Ata to change; at this point he was handed over to Agaidoko who pursued the mother away. Having been born, the new Ata moved to Ere Ane Igala for cleansing.
At Ere Ane the Onu Ofiji, Ateebo, the nine Adokpulu chiefs and Agaidoko performed their designated duties turn by turn. The nine Adokpulu were there to bead the new Ata and Agaidoko was there to receive the new Ata from the hunting expedition. The Achadu Oko Ata was there to fraternize and cheer him up.
Finally, the Ata moved to Efofe, palace, where various chiefsmust have cleansed the palace before the Ata who was returning from hunting can go in. Chief Agbenyo Ata performed his rites in the coronation exercise. He was followed by Ugbola chief, then Ochijenu chief who performed their rites in turn as Chief Abeyi Ata Igala performed the final ceremony that ushered the new Ata into the palace.
After all the ceremony that lasted for nine days, the new Ata Igala entered the public arena of the palace to welcome the visitors and the entire Igala populace that came to identify with him.
The arena was filled to capacity, beyond control, where a conglomeration of masquerades held sway.
He prayed God that unprecedented developmental activities will commence in Igala land during his era as he thanked President Mohammed Buhari and Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for developmental strides in the land especially for awarding contract for the construction of Idah to Nsukka road.
He charged all Igala people at home and in the diaspora to come together in unityand developmental efforts. He charged them to have brotherly love for each other and help the unemployed as he pronounced that no Igala son or daughter shall be brought down by demonic principalities like witches and wizards.
For the next official coronation and presentation of staff of office, His Royal Majesty, Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche, the Ata Igala inaugurated a Central Planning and other Committees to work towards the success of his installation ceremony that will come on a date to be announced by the Kogi State Government.
Speaking at the event at his palace in Idah, the new Paramount Ruler charged members to see the assignment as service to their fatherland stressing the need to make the event a masterpiece.
His Royal Majesty said the entire Igala land is represented in the committees describing the makeup of the various committees as novel and unprecedented.
The Ata then expressed joy with illustrious sons and daughters who made sacrifices of time and energy to ensure the success of the traditional rites leading to his ascension to the throne.
In a remark, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee, Chief Sylvester Onoja, OON, promised to ensure that the installation ceremony is the best ever witnessed in the land.
The Kogi State House of Assembly delegation was lead by the Deputy Speaker. The Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho was there. Prominent Igala sons and daughters from all works of life, too numerous to mention, were there to witness the historic occasion.
His Royal Majesty, Chief Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Ogwuche was born into the Royal family of late Chief Opaluwa Oguche Akpa. He is the number nine of the sixteen surviving children and the forth of the six male children of Late Chief Opaluwa Oguche of the humble Aju- Ameacho Ruling Dynasty of Igala Kingdom. His mother was Late Eke Opaluwa (nee Edicha). Chief Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche started his early education at St. Boniface Primary School, Idah and obtained his first school leaving certificate in the year, 1975. He proceeded in the same year to St. Peter’s College, Idah and obtained his West African Schools Certificate (WASC) in 1980. In his quest for education as his father advised him, in 1981 he gained admission into the School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo and obtained “A” level papers in 1983. That same year, he gained admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired Bachelors of Science (B. Sc.) degree in Business Administration in 1986. He did his National Youths Service (NYSC) assignment in Niger State and served at the State Board of Internal Revenue, 1986/87 service year successfully. Still in his quest for more knowledge, he went back to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired his Masters, MBA, degree in Business Administration in the year 1997. The cognate working experience of this great man started with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in 1988 as administrative officer and rose through ranks and became a Deputy Director. He served in many Local Governments Areas of Kogi State as Electoral Officer which include; Idah, Ofu, Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa, Ibaji, Mopa/Amuro, Ogori/Magongo, and Okene respectively. Prince Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche was transferred to Kaduna State INEC Headquarters and made in charge of Transport Unit. Still in Kaduna State, he served in the following Local Government Areas as Electoral officer (E.O); Sabon – Gari, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Kauru, & Kaduna North L.G.As respectively.
He was again transferred to Katsina State INEC Headquarters in July, 2009 and was made to take charge of Research and documentation Unit. Thereafter, he was transferred to Dandume local government area as Electoral officer. After 2011 general elections, he was seconded to Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT as Electoral officer. He was transferred after back after the exercise to Katsina State and served in the following local government areas as Electoral Officer; Danja and Dutsinma respectively after 2011 general elections. Finally, he was moved to Katsina LGA in the same capacity during the 2015 general elections where he remained till he became Ata Igala.
According to his principal at St. Perter College, Idah, Chief Sylvester Onoja, Prince Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche is a humane, generous and gentle easy going personality of impeccable character. His numerous school mates describes him as a bridge builder who derives pleasure in creating peace and has passion for the Igala traditions, cultural value and unity. They said he engenders his willingness to always help the Igala sons and daughters and mankind generally, and has learned his helping hands to orphans, the less privileged and widows. They describe him as a man with amiable personality and aptitude. He is happily married and blessed with children.