Day of
Glory for Chief (Prince)
James Dare Arungbemi
SATURDAY, October 3,
2009, would go down in
the life of Prince
(Chief) James Arungbemi
as a Day of Glory and
Honour, when he was
inducted into the Hall
of fame of the
prestigious Isanlu
Chieftaincy title
holders in Yagba East
Local Government Area of
Kogi State.
On that fateful day,
Prince Arungbemi was
conferred with the title
of Gbeluniyi of
Isaluland at a momentous
occasion.
That Saturday, turned
out to be a great day as
it was blessed with a
clement weather;
peaceful atmosphere and
above all, the
gatherings of "who is
who" in the traditional
and business circles in
Isanlu and Kwara State
as well as friends and
well wishers from the
nooks and crannies of
the area.
For Prince Arungbemi,
the road to the Hall of
fame; as a chieftaincy
title holder in Isanlu;
has Isanlu long and
uneasy.
This is because, the
criteria for being
selected as a
chieftaincy title holder
according to the
tradition of the Isanlu
people, are not readily
available on a platter
of gold or given out for
cash prices.
Rather, certain
outstanding qualities
are expected from a
would be beneficiary of
Isanlu chieftaincy title
holder and these
include; being an ardent
custodian of the norms
and values of the
people, contributing
effectively and
consistently to the
peace, growth and
development of the town
and above all; such a
person must be a honest,
responsible and diligent
person in the society;
among other expected
qualities.
According to the
Olumofin of Isanluland,
Barrister James Palufe
who doubles as a high
chieftaincy title holder
and the general overseer
of the laws and
principles guiding the
upkeep of such ideals
among recipients of
Islanlu, would be title
holder Chief Arungbemi
was eminently qualified
for the award of
Gbeluniyi, having been a
strong pillar for Isanlu
both at home and in
Diaspora in the past
three decades."
Chief Palufe told the
gathering that the
nomination of Chief
Arugbemi was made on
April 11, 2009, after a
thorough research into
his activities in the
past decades and which
had satisfied the needed
qualities required by
the Agbana and his men
towards him the title.
As early as 10;30 am,
the Agbana of Islanlu's
compound, venue of the
installation was invaded
by of relations,
friends, well-wishers
and traditional
chieftaincy title
holders, who had
thronged the arena to
witness the epoch-making
occasion.At exactly
11:15 a.m, few minutes
behind the scheduled
time, the Agbana and his
chieftaincy title
holders; all adorned in
red-caps and flowing
Agbadas had taken
position at the central
row of the open arena
while Chief Arungbemi,
his wife, well-wishers
and friends from Ilorin
(his base) and other
parts of the federation,
occupied the canopy
situated at the right
hand side of the Agbana
and his men, while the
other two canopies;
provided shades for
other invitees and
well-wishers within.
The occasion, which
lasted for about two
hours, was as historical
as it was interesting.
It was laced with funs;
celebrations and spiced
with entertaining music
from boys scouts;
traditional musicians
and a resident Juju
band.
Before the kick-off of
the instillation proper,
the citation of the
celebrant was read by
the Olumofin, Babatunde
James, who told the
gathering that Chief
Arungbemi hails from the
dynasty of Idorun
Bagido-Isanlu and has
been a financial member
of Isanlu Progressive
Union (IPU) since 1963
in Kaduna and had served
the position of the
Chairman of Isanlu Day
celebration for at least
four times among other
valuable contributions
to the peace, growth and
development of Isanlu
town and its people.
Highlights of the
installation ceremony;
were the presentation of
the traditional Red-cap
, by Chief Olukotun,
presentation of neck
beads by Chief Elesho
and the presentation of
cow tail by Chief (Aare)
Akanle and the
presentation of walking
stick by Chief Olumofin
Babatunde James while
the certification was
presented by Oba Aaron
Ikuborije.
It was indeed a grand
occasion which was
indeed historical.
Chief) James Arungbemi
Attah
Igala Celebrates 53rd
Year of Reign in Grand
Style
THE history of Igala
people is as old as its
people.
The present Attah-Igala,
Agabaidu Alhaji Aliyu
Obaje says the Igala
came from Southern
Yemen, passed through
Ethiopia and then moved
and became part of the
ancient Mali Empire
before arriving at Jukun
land and finally settled
in their present
location.
Irrespective of whatever
historians might have
recorded on the origin
of Igala people, what is
of paramount importance
is that the Igala people
have come a long way.
They are a people who
have chosen to live
harmoniously and as a
formidable ethnic group
in Nigeria.
The Igala people have
one cultural identity
with the traditional
nomenclature of Attah
Igala as its revered
traditional head.
Since the evolution of
Igala
