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 people many Attahs
have headed the
traditional institution.
History has it that the
first Attah Igala was
Agabaidu Idoko. Eleven
other Attahs reigned
without recorded dates.
The first Attah whose
reign was recorded is
Agabaidu Akwodiba
1854-1870. After his
reign the nine others
that succeeded him from
1870 to date have their
years of reign on
record.
The current Attah Igala,
Agabidu Alhaji Aliyu
Obaje was coronated on
November 2, 1956. Since
his installation, Alhaji
Obaje has remained a
rallying point for the
Igala race. It is also
on record that his reign
has witnessed peace and
monumental development
of the Igala people.
Like Hon. Attai Aidoko,
the Chairman of the 53rd
year reign of Alhaji
Obaje ceremony put it
"the revered Igala
Monarch, Alhaji Aliyu
Obaje has conquered
colonial rule, military
rule and the current
emerging democratic
dispensation." The
current Attah Igala is
therefore one of the
longest serving monarch
in Nigeria if not in
sub-Saharan Africa.
The celebration of this
year's 53rd anniversary
of Alhaji Aliyu Obaje's
reign is therefore very
unique. The monarch is
today a reference point
in terms of the
maintenance of peace in
his domain. The Kingdom
has also remained a
revered institution
which has not witnessed
any serious social
upheaval.
The history of Igala
people is very unique
and would be incomplete
without giving due
respect and reverence to
Princess Inikpi who was
said to have been buried
alive by the then
reigning Attah Igala to
wade-off the invading
forces on Igala land.
Her sacrifice is very
symbolic because it
saved the Igala people
from defeat and possible
annihilation. Her statue
is conspicuously erected
in Idah for generations
unborn to have a sense
of history on the
existence of Igala
people.
The celebration of the
53rd anniversary of
Alhaji Aliyu Obaje on
November 2, 2009
climaxed series of
activities that heralded
the occasion.
In giving reverence to
Almighty God, prayers
were held in various
mosques across the state
on Friday October 30,
2009. The Christians
also prayed for the
continued peaceful reign
of the Attah Igala on
Sunday November 1, 2009.
The Chairman of he
Central Planning
Committee of the 53rd
anniversary celebration,
His Royal Highness Ojofe
John Egwemi who doubles
as the Onu Ibaji
acknowledge the
resourcefulness it took
members of his committee
to make the occasion a
huge success. According
to him "both capital and
human resources were
marshalled for several
months to make the
occasion a huge
success."
Ajofe Egwemi at the
occasion applauded
President Umaru Yar'Adua
who sent a
representative in person
of the Minister of State
for Commerce and
Industry, Mr. Humphrey
Abah to honour the
invitation. He also
acknowledged the
understanding of the
entire Kogi Traditional
leaders in making the
occasion very eventful.
The Onu Ibaji commended
the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland,
His Royal Majesty Alhaji
Ado Ibrahim , Northern
Emirs, Western Obas and
the Eastern Obi's for
gracing the occasion. He
declared that their
attendance added a very
unique colour to the
53rd anniversary of
Attah's reign.
One traditional ruler
who stood out during the
celebration is the Akuh
Akhe, His
Royal Highness Chief
Suleiman Nyefa from
Nassarawa State. He
graced the occasion with
his council of Chiefs.
His Presence signified
how the Attah Igala is
held in high esteem
outside the shores of
Igala land.
As has been the
tradition of past
anniversary
celebrations, the
occasion could not
take-off without the
breaking of kola nuts.
The Attah Igala Alhaji
Aliyu Obaje therefore
broke the kolanut and
blessed the entire
Igalaland and it is
people. He proclaimed,
peace, unprecedented
development and
continued unity for
Igala people. The
mammoth crowd that
graced the occasion kept
re-echoing a huge "amen"
as the Attah Igala
prayed for the land.
It was therefore the
blessing the Attah Igala
on the land that marked
the take-off of the 53rd
anniversary celebration.
Many speeches were also
presented at the
occasion. The Chairman
of the occasion Hon.
Attai Aidoko who is also
member representing
Omala/Ankpa Federal
Constituency at the
National Assembly,
applauded Igala people
and their well wishers
for gracing the unique
occasion.
Hon. Aidoko reminded
Igala people that the
traditional institution
eternally remain the
channel of peace in the
country. He declared
that he would support
any move for
constitutional amendment
that will give
traditional rulers
defined roles in
governance.
The National Assembly
member also called on
Igala people to be very
conscious of the dire
need to always
rejuvenate their
cultural identity. He
stressed that Igala
people should emulate
the virtues of other
ethnic groups in the
country who have a very
formidable cultural
identity. He gave the
example of the
Hausa/Fulani who have
Arewa, the
Yorubas-Afinefere and
the Ibo's the Ohaneze
Ndi'gbo as their
cultural identities.
Hon. Aidoko maintained
that the time has come
for Igala to strengthen
her cultural identity to
pave way for harmonious
co-existence and speedy
development. He
applauded the Attah
Igala Alhaji Aliyu Obaje
for piloting the affairs
of his kingdom in the
last fifty three years
without rancour. He also
prayed for the Alhaji's
continuous good health,
peace and development in
Igala kingdom.
The representative of
President Yar'Adua who
is also the Minister of
State for Commerce and
Industry, Mr. Humphrey
Abah declared that the
President whole
heartedly identify
himself with the reign
of Attah Igala in the
last fifty three years.
Mr. Abah assured the
Igala people that the
seven point agenda of
President Yar'Adua would
have meaningful impact
on the development of
Igala land. He also
called on Igala people
to remain peaceful and
united in the quest of
developing the nation.
The Attah Igala, His
Royal Majesty Alhaji
Aliyu Obaje in his
speech read by the
Chairman Central
Planning Committee His
Royal Highness Chief
John Egwemi Applauded
Igala sons and daughters
for making the occasion
a huge success. He
emphasized the need to
consolidate on the
current exiting peace
and unity in Igala land.
The Attah Igala also
applauded the seven
point agenda of
President Yar'Adua. He
commended the President
for the take-off project
of the dredging of River
Niger, citing of River
Port in Lokoja and Idah
and the rejuvenation of
the rule of law in the
country.
The 53rd anniversary of
the reign of the Attah
Igala was also crowned
with the conferment of
chieftaincy titles to
distinguished Igala sons
and other patriotic
Nigerians across the
country.
Among those conferred
with chieftaincy titles
by the Attah Igala were
Chief Vincent Ogbulafor
PDP National Chairman as
Agbane Attah, Chief
Rochas Okorocha-Ogah
Attah, Yusufu Aiyutogun
PDP National Vice
Chairman, North Central
as Ogu Attah, Dangana
Ocheja, and Chief
Ignatius Ahmodu, as
Omachi Attah Igala.
Others are Mallam
Abubakar Adama
Commissioner for Works
and Housing as Ogah
Attah-Igala , Mr. Egwu
Onoja Eganya Atta,
Commodore Usman Jibrin
as Ogah Attah-Igala and
Mr. Gabriel Suswan Benue
state governor as
Ochalla Attah-Igala.
Speaking on the
significance of the
occasion former National
Assembly member
representing Idah,
Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu,
Ibaji Constituency, Hon.
Frank Ineke expressed
joy on the existing
relative peace in Igala
land.
Hon Ineke attributed the
peace in the land to the
good reign of Alhaji
Aliyu Obaje. He prayed
for good health on the
life of the Attah Igala
land urged Igala sons
and daughters to
contribute their quota
to the development of
their father land.
The recipient of the
chieftaincy title of
Eganya Attah Igala Chief
Egwu Onoja told The
Graphic that he was
humbled by the honour
done to him by the Attah
Igala. He said there are
many Igala sons and
daughters in various
vocations across the
country noting that it
was therefore a great
privilege for the Attah
Igala to single him out
for the chieftaincy
title of Eganya-Attah.
Chief Onoja said the
chieftaincy title has
gingered him to invest
more of his resources to
the development of Igala
land. He called on
prominent sons and
daughters of Igala land
to make Igala land a
better place for all.
The 53rd anniversary of
the Attah's reign on the
throne of Igala kingdom
was climaxed with dances
by various masquerades
in Igala kingdom. The
masquerades which were
led by Ekwe the revered
Attah Igala masquerade
expoused the rich
cultural heritage of the
Igala kingdom.

Attah-Igala, Agabaidu
Alhaji Aliyu Obaje