By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

The Atta Igala, Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa has tasked the newly inaugurated Executive Committee members of foremost Igala socio-cultural body, Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) to evolve new strategies that will foster deeper unity, peace and security of the Igala Kingdom.

His Royal Majesty, Ogwuche-Akpa who is also the President, Kogi State Traditional Council, while inaugurating the foremost Igala socio-cultural body on Saturday in his palace at Idah, headquarters of the kingdom, said the call was to enhance and fast track development in Kogi East.

Administering oath of office on the newly elected National Executive Council of ICDA, the Monarch said the association had served as an umbrella body and a symbol of the collective strength and sense of purpose for the Igala nation.

He advised the Executive members to keep the flame burning for the desired peace, security and development of the Igala Kingdom.

The paramount ruler however regretted that in spite of the labour and ideals of the founding fathers, the body of late, became a home of disunity, devoid of cohesion with heightened promotion of desecration of Igala customs, tradition and values.

The Atta Igala who was represented by Ejeh of Dekina and Chairman, Dekina Local Government traditional Council, HRH, Alhaji Usman Obaje, charged the new Exco under the leadership of Surgeon Commodore Dr Ahmed Abdullahi, to galvanise a formidable cohesion among the people.

He enjoined them to justify the overwhelming confidence the people had reposed in them, by weaving together, hitherto divergence opinions to drive the ICDA at this critical time in the history of Igala people.

Ogwuche-Akpa described the inauguration as epoch-making, marking a new beginning for the people and placed enormous burden on the Exco to exhibit visionary, purposeful and exemplary leadership to correct the lapses of the past.

“The new Exco must therefore strive assiduously to reverse the indiscipline, rot and lack of vision that characterised past leaderships of our cherished ICDA.

“I urge you to be selfless in the discharge of your responsibilities by putting Igala Kingdom and her people first in your activities, cast aside all partisan political interests which have been the bane of our growth and development.

“Partisanship breeds greed, betrayal and lack of cohesion and objectivity within the ranks of any socio-cultural association. You must work harder to promote Igala Cultural and traditional values.

The Atta Igala regretted that the fear of the gods that the forefathers held tenaciously to and which shaped their lives had gone with the winds “as some of our children are committing crimes alien to us.”

He said that crimes such as Armed robbery, kidnapping, political thuggery, Yahoo plus, etc, had inundated his domain and therefore, “it behoves on your ingenuity to reverse the ugly trends.”

In a remarks, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy, Joel Oyibo Salifu assured the Monarch of his administration’s commitment to partner with reputable Socio Cultural associations like the ICDA in inculcating their values and customs in the people for a better society.

He noted that his doors were wide open to receive the association in audience urging that it should not hesitate to call on him whenever needed.

Speaking at the ceremony, former Chief of Naval Staff, AVM Usman Jibrin called for adoption of an acceptable natural leader whose voice should represent the collective voices of the zone.

The retired Naval chief advocated for the enunciation of constitutional roles for the traditional institutions where their appointments, remuneration and discipline would be insulated from the whims and caprices of state Governors.

AVM Jibrin noted that every traditional institution has its unique mode of ascension and discipline in line with customs and traditions as he lamented that the Traditional institutions had become a pawn in the hands of some overzealous governors who treats them like civil servants.

He tasked the new Exco, whom he described as people committed to Igala cause to introduce reforms that would galvanise the ICDA as a veritable voice on National discourse.

Speaking on behalf of the 17-member Executive Council, President General of ICDA, Surgeon Commodore, Dr Ahmed Abdullahi promised to serve and hold tenaciously the values and customs of the Igala Kingdom in all the activities of the Association. (Ends)