By Egbodo Benson
With utmost honour, we wish to use this opportunity to felicitate with His Royal Majesty, Chief Oga Ero (CP Rtd) on the well-deserved victory that led to the presentation of First Class Staff of Office and requisite enthronement into the office of Adirahu Ny’Igede 1, Igede Intermediate Area Traditional Council, Oju/Obi by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom. We find it important to thank all those who contested but couldn’t make it for accepting the verdict of the selection/election with decree of fate that predetermines the emergence of Adirahu.
In our days, you have been duly selected and would be presented with the staff of office on 14-05-2018 as our king to rule over us in accordance with the cultures, relics, heritage, taboos, norms, prohibitions, morality, mores and traditions of Igede progenitors. We trust that with you, our ancestors supporting your supremacy and with God directing your leadership, the wisdom that you have acquired over the years from the summation of the three cardinal beings mentioned above will guide you through your reign in this challenging office. As you would be installed, we urge you that the vast majority of the laid down communal traditions, norms, prohibitions and potentials are directed towards protecting the Igede Nation as well as promoting peace, harmony and development. In addition, may our ancestors and God give you the desired wisdom required of your chieftaincy to understand the intricacies of human organization and paraphernalia of the royal office.
Indeed, your noble selection as the Adirahu 1 of Igede is a divine design (if the God has spoken; nobody can dare challenge him); and in recognition of past records, sterling personality qualities, potentials, hard work, good plans, emotional stability and mentor of countless people. You are without a doubt equal to the task of the Adirahu 1, Igede Intermediate Area Traditional Council. May the intelligence of kings, knowledge of the ancestors, modesty of wise and the clandestine of human institutions remain the assets of your throne where you can drink from their reservoir of acumens.
It is our prayer that the legacy of peace, harmony, sacrifice, prosperity, and steadfastness which the Igede nation has witnessed during the reign of HRM Chief Ajene Okpabi, HRM Chief Okpenge Okpabi, HRM Chief Ikande Idikwu, HRH Chief Aja Achala, Warrior Ogbuloko and host of other prominent Igede heroes will endure perpetually; as Almighty God blesses you with robust health and many more years of fulfillment as you are ready with immeasurable love and loyal commitment to sincerely propagate and protect Igede cultural heritage and aspirations. We implore that your majesty’s reign will graciously strengthen the immense contributions of those past heroes whose lives assembled Igede nation from cradle to this greatness. It has become imperative to imbibe the undiluted positive spirits and values of those ancestral heroes as we navigate the socio-political flight of our Igede nation.
As the number one custodian of Igede culture and tradition, we wish you use your good office effectively and judiciously to safeguard intangible cultural heritage sustainably to ensure that the traditional institutions, monuments, relics, mores, proverbs, practices, expressions, knowledge, skills as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces are transmitted to younger generations by ensuring their viability through identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education, as well as the revitalization of the age long values, culture and traditions of our people; ensure peace and security for sustainable development in the society; encourage our local kin to invest in agriculture in order to boost food production and economy; and foster general welfare of the Igede people.
HRM, we wish you the longevity of Adirahu throne, Adirahu nyahi ka ri ehe gbooyi mioyi.
For Chief FRANCIS ALOCHU IKPOBU (Odochu 1 of Ukpa) and DR SUNDAY EJE EDO (Provost, College of Education, Oju, Benue State).
Dated: June 12, 2018
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