By Ogbu Onah
The managers of this platform should pardon me if I have broken your rule here by this post.
But remember the joy, excitement and celebrations in Igede land when their desire for a First Class Chief in Benue materialized some four years back. Indeed, the Igede Paramount Ruler. The occupant has shifted from one temporary palace, Citas Guest House to the second, Oju LG Guest House. The latter is the worst abode for any respected Paramount Ruler of a people. Contrast the palaces of Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma who we had battled without success for Adirahu-Igede to equal to, with our own palace. Shameful. I had said once that a people are as respected as the palace of their king. Any person who knows his own worth as an Igede son or daughter; or has any pride being an Igede , would need to bow his head in shame. Whether temporary or permanent the current abode of Igede Paramount Ruler is the symbol or representation of who Igede people are. When governors, Deputy Governors and Governorship aspirants come on courtesy calls on the Igede king, they don’t see the image of the occupant, it’s purely Igede image. It has nothing to do with Oga, the son of Ero and retired Commissioner of Police from Uje-Anchim.
The chairs and seats and tables in the palace are the first image laundering for Igede people. Cushion chairs bought during the era of Chief John Enyi are the ones that greet the visitors. Even a Cashier with the local government has better chairs than the Paramount Ruler of Igede nation. No privacy for him. Toilets, bathrooms and bedrooms all linked to the parlour. Whenever the palour is full the king has no space or passage to his bedroom. Even the quishion chairs are so turn and won out that they can tear visitor’s clothes. Absolutely true.
Five years after the enthronement Oju and Obi LGs don’t know they have any obligations to the palace of Adirahu Ny’Igede. It is left with shallow fence and bushes around it. But who will bell the cat in this shame. Probably this year Igede Agba may celebrated and visitors from across Nigeria may come and see the pride of a people if Nigeria. How proud shall Igede people be when we escort our visitors to the ” palace” of our king.
Response by Comrade Ade Otor
Since it is a palace thing, some of us are hesitant to make comments. However, a few observations may suffice.
We can’t wait on the government to do everything in the Palace. I’m aware of some modest efforts from some well spirited individuals which may be inadequate. For instance, in 2019, Chief Bright Igodo Ogaji donated over 250 plastic Chairs to the Traditional Council which eased its burden of regular rentage of chairs at the Palaces. Such efforts have and will have significant impacts.
I have seen for myself that the furniture truly needs attention and should be replaced. Even if we can’t have a new palace now, ensuring the serenity and the ambience of the temporary is germane. This is urgent as the palace will be receiving more visitors as we move toward 2023.
Generally, it seems an Igede man is not very used to a centralized Chiefdom yet. How many of our prominent sons and daughters pay homage and royalty to the Chiefs? The Traditional Council too should initiate an interactive convergence of some sorts in elitist engagements where people will get to know more of their challenges.
Dated: 16th January 2022
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