By joshua 
JFO: WHY IGALA LEADERSHIP IS THE KEY TO A UNITED KOGI STATE
by
BABA OJONUGWA J.F.O
In 1999 I wrote a song titled “GOD BLESS KOGI STATE” a song that became an anthem and for years stood the test of time to still hold the best composed song about Kogi state devoid of any divisive tendencies even after two decades.
In 2024 I wrote another song “ONE UNITED KOGI” which can also be found on all global digital music distribution platforms just like “GOD BLESS KOGI STATE” can be found online too.
I need to drop the above so you know what my stand has always been for over twenty five years now.
I believe completely in a truly united & developmentally stable Kogi state & I am 100 % Igala.
This is for my Igala family and all true believers of the Kogi project.
You cannot love Igala more than I do but the dynamics of Nigerian politics today is glaring and we must be realistic about it.
In the complex tapestry of Nigeria’s “Confluence State,” my people ;the Igala people stand as the largest thread.
Occupying the majority position in Kogi State is not merely a political advantage; it is a profound responsibility. To ensure long-term peace and prosperity, my people must be ready to transition from being “competitors” for resources to becoming the guarantors of stability for all the groups that make up Kogi state.
We can do this by adopting a “Big Brother Strategy,” the Igala can leverage their numerical strength to move Kogi past ethnic friction and toward a shared “Confluence Identity.”
Over the years and from the realities on ground today here is how this transformative leadership can work:
1. Championing Power-Sharing
The greatest fear in any multi-ethnic society is permanent marginalization. The Igala can dissolve this fear by leading the conversation on Rotational Equity. By voluntarily supporting the rotation of key offices—such as the Governorship, Speakership, and Ministerial slots—among the three senatorial districts, the Igala prove that their majority status is a tool for fairness, not a weapon of dominance. This builds a political culture based on ideas rather than tribal census.
2. Geographically Blind Development
True unity is built on shared prosperity. Igala leaders can pioneer a “Confluence Development Model” that prioritizes infrastructure across all districts. When a bridge in Lokoja, a road in Okene, or a school in Kabba is facilitated by an Igala leader, it shatters the “ethnic agenda” narrative. Infrastructure that connects the East, Central, and West districts creates an economic interdependence that makes conflict too costly for anyone to pursue.
3. The Ata Igala as a Diplomatic Bridge
The Ata Igala is more than a monarch; he is the root & father of about 80% of all the ethnic groups that make up Kogi state, he is a symbol of ancestral authority respected across Nigeria. This office serves as a powerful diplomatic tool. Through regular inter-ethnic royal visits and acting as a mediator in communal disputes across the state, the Ata can reinforce the Igala’s role as the peaceful anchors of the region.
4. Investing in “Kogi-First” Meritocracy
Finally, the Igala must use their voice to institutionalize merit. By mentoring youth from minority groups and encouraging cross-district business partnerships, they can foster a merit-based civil service. When an Igala professional mentors a youth from a different tribe, an ethnic barrier is permanently dismantled.
The Legacy of Statesmanship
By choosing to be the architects of unity, the Igala do not lose their identity; they elevate it. A united Kogi State is a magnet for investment and a model for the rest of Nigeria. Leadership by service is the highest form of power. It is time for the Igala to lead not just as a majority, but as the statesmen of the Confluence.
Let us take our space now .
[1/22, 10:51 AM] JFO: Good morning sir, can this be published?