The Audu, Ozekhome connection: A question asked for too long

“Nobody should go about saying audu stole kogi state funds, but his trial on the merit is also important.”

Lawyer to Abubakar Audu, Mr Mike Ozekhome SAN who was kidnapped days back is still being held in captivity. Take it or leave it, crimes like this strive well where corruption is rampant.

You would recall the role the SAN played since Audu’s arraignment before a Kogi State High Court on 1^st December, 2006, on an 80 counts of conspiracy, fraud, criminal breach of trust and embezzlement of public fund of over N4 Billion.

Ozekhome had filed several applications in the case, an act that most legal minds saw as an effort to frustrate the trial of Audu on merit.

Greenfield Refinery Projects Suffer Setback

The planned construction of the much-awaited three Greenfield refineries in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi  scheduled  to commence in July this year may no longer be feasible.

A source at the Petroleum Ministry hinted that the project partners- the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Limited were yet to reach an accord on the issue of funding.

The project had been envisaged to add 750,000 barrels per day of extra refining capacity to Nigeria’s current 445,000 barrel per day refining capacity and stem the flood of importation of refined products into the country.

The delay in the take-off of the project, the source said was a major setback to Nigeria’s plan to increase local refining to 95 per cent.
He said given the current dilapidated state of the existing refineries, Nigeria would continue to do massive importation of petrol as the Greenfield refineries could no longer come on stream in 2015 as earlier planned.

He said the only way out was to privatise the refineries, pointing out that series of Turnaround Maintenance (TAM), which cost millions of dollars did not produce any result.

The parties had about two years ago, signed an agreement for the joint sourcing of funds for the construction of the three new Greenfield refineries and a petrochemical plant in Nigeria under a $28.5 billion provisional deal.

The initial plan was that each of the new refineries would be able to process around 250,000 barrels of oil a day, potentially meeting Nigeria’s estimated need of 750,000 barrels per day over the next 10 years.

It was however gathered that the capacities on the plants to be built in Lagos,  Brass in Bayelsa and Lokoja, the Kogi State capital were downsized.

Consequently, the Kogi and Bayelsa  plants will now have the capacity for 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity each, while the one to be located in Lekki, Lagos will have the capacity for 200,000bpd of crude.

An update on the project published recently revealed that the decision to downsize the capacities of the plants was based on the new Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS)prepared by Wood Mackenzie & Foster Will.

It also showed that the ICBC of China was to provide 80 percent out of the $11.3 billion now budgeted for the project, while the NNPC will provide 20 per cent equity, to be diluted for private sector participation later.

The Front End Engineering and Design (FEED), site preparation and infrastructure had been scheduled to start in February 2012, while construction will start in July of same year to be completion is 2015.

Source: www.thisdaylive.com

Re:MY LAST CRY FOR OPALUWA OGWUCHE.

I read with surprise the article authored by one JJ Idachaba titled MY LAST CRY FOR OPALUWA OGWUCHE.

I am ordinarily supposed to ignore him but it is important I teach him what he seems not to know about our customs and traditions that he professes to know so much.

In that article, the author raised several issues for determination and the crux of all the issues was which family will produce the next Atta.

What the author is asking for can be equivalent of asking for the moon. He is by implication asking that we name an Atta in waiting.

For avoidance of doubt, it is forbidden for two Attas to exist side by side, in fact, it is unheard of! That was the singular reason that aborted the planned erection of Ame Oboni’s statue in Idah several years back while Ali Obaje was alive and kicking.  Issues about succession of Atta are never visited until the death of Atta. That is why tradition requires if Atta dies; a long period of about three months must elapse before a new Atta can emerge.

Therefore, the issues raised in the article in view cannot be attended to until the office of Atta becomes vacant.

Let us be patient, time will answer us all.

Emmanuel Musa

MY LAST CRY FOR OPALUWA OGWUCHE

I actively participated in the process of selecting the new Atta, at least to the extent an Otalaka like me is permitted to. I was a champion of the arguments in favour of Idakwo Ameh. I never had difficulty in declaring my support for him. I did this vigorously until he got his ears pierced, that became a turning point for my reasoning. I mean I withdrew my support for him and I did this too as a matter of justice and fairness.

IDAH TO GET AIRPORT SOON

In what could be termed as his most daring move since assumption of office, the Atta of Igala is bent on constructing an airport in Idah and very soon. 

You will recall that Igala NA during the reign of Ameh Oboni had constructed an aerodrome where small carrier planes could operate from. The aerodrome however stopped functioning several years back for reasons that may not necessarily be disassociated from non-usage.

The old aerodrome located along Idah - Ogbogbo road is now wearing a different look as work has since commenced on it in a bid to developing it to a standard local airport.

THE MEANING OF OLI UDAGO

If you speak Igala and you do not know the meaning of “OLI UDAGO”, it is not just important for you to read this, you must read it carefully and have a good understanding so that you don’t suffer what a child of 13years is expected to suffer.

As a matter of fact, it is only a child below the age of 13 years that is prohibited from knowing the meaning of Oli Udago. As soon as an Igala child grows out of childhood, he/she is expected to know several secrets and one of them is the Oli Udago secret. That is how interesting growing up as an Igala child used to be but regrettably; most of these things are fading away with the speed of water vapor.

Though I am going to tell you the meaning of Oli Udago in a short while, I strongly feel you are now trying to imagine what this Oli Udago of a thing looks like. That is exactly the thought that occupies the mind of an under 13 child who is sent by his parents to borrow Oli Udago from a neighbor’s house.

30 PHOTOS FROM 2012 WAR FESTIVAL (viewers satisfaction guaranteed)

With few days to the 2013 edition of the Agwa War Festival, it is important we give you an insight on what you are about to witness. We therefor present this Note and 30 Photos from the 2012 edition for your viewing pleasure.

WARNING: Viewers satisfaction guaranteed!

OGANYI AGWA is a war festival celebrated yearly by the Agwa people of Idah LGA to commemorate old wars. It is usually celebrated in the first quarter of every year and it is believed that its celebration ushers in a season of heavy rain fall.

The date before now was a thing of consultation with the ancestors but following the growth of Christianity in Igala land and the high sense of religious tolerance among the Igala people, traditional events are now often fused with Christianity and Islam hence this war festival is now celebrated on the Saturday prior Easter Sunday of every year.

FUNDAMENTALISTS NOT HAPPY WITH ATTA'S WIFE

Fundamentalists of the Ogwuchekwo Religion have condemned the gorgeous dressing of the wife of the Atta during his coronation rituals that held days back.

Speaking from Idah over the weekend, an Ogwuchekwo faithful who pleaded anonymity expressed dissatisfaction on what he called the politician’s wives syndrome.

He said he wouldn’t want a situation where people will infer disrespect for the office of Atta else, this matter is one that requires serious scolding and instant correction.

UKO’DE IS NOT JUST SPOON

Majority of Igalas of this generation think that Uko’de simply means spoon. This is a wrong understanding of the language. IGALA Place, in keeping in line with its mandate will attempt to throw more light.

For purpose of clarity, the word Uko’de is a combination of two words being "Uko" and "Ude".

UKO 

Uko ordinarily refers to anything used in scooping food. It could be a spoon or a scrape plate (Uko’je) however, since spoon is the most common form of Uko, it will not be wrong to take the word to mean spoon except other words are added to it to specify the type of Uko. This justifies the fact that people of Ankpa area refer to spoon as Uko.


UDE
Ude on the other part means metal. Any ornament made of metal is said to be made of Ude. That is why hand bangles made of metal are also called Ude owo.

Photos:IDAKWO NOW WEARS IKEBE (Igala Royal Crown)

Atta and his immediate family, right behind him is his first son, Ocholi Idakwo

Ere Ane

WHY ATTA IS A WOMAN

The Atta, though a biological man is seen and treated as a woman. In fact, he has a husband.

It has been the tradition of Igalas that the Atta pieces his ears and wears wool earrings. This is not the only feminine thing Atta does, he also has a husband! Yes, a husband! This might be strange but it is true. The person holding the title of Ach’adu is the spiritual husband of the Atta. 

It is important to give an insight on how and why an Atta is expected to exhibit characteristics of a woman.

It is not of doubt that Atta must be a biological man; however, in the spiritual realm, Atta remains a woman. The age account for this has been challenged by few persons of the Ach’adu family, probably because of the seeming stigma the account subjects them to.

How Atta became a woman

The first Leader of the Igala kingdom, Ebulejonu, a fierce woman, possibly conquered and established the dynasty hundreds of years ago. 

COLLECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE 1st PHASE OF THE CORONATION OF IDAKWO

Idakwo, (would be Atta) and his spiritual husband Ach'adu Atta

Idakwo Oboni, the would be Atta

Achadu's Palace, Idah

INSTALLATION OF ATTA BEGINGS TODAY

There are reports that the installation of Idakwo Oboni as the next Atta of Igala will commence today being 5th March 2013.

Though the publicity of the event has not been encouraging, Igala Place gathered that the would be Atta is scheduled to leave Lokoja today for Ugwolawo where he is expected to spend two days. He is further expected to cohabit with the Achadu for three days at Idah before ascending the throne properly on Sunday being 10th March, 2013.

Idakwo Oboni

Though this information can not be traceable to the State Government or the Traditional Council, it appears to be what will happen exactly in few days.

It is of no doubt that no one can confidently say he knows all what tradition demands in installing a new Atta because the last time an installation was done in strict compliance with the Igala tradition was over 70 years back, this was shrouded in secrecy with scanty records.

On inquiry as to why the would be Atta is stopping over at Ugwolawo, we were told that a heir to the Atta throne should ordinarily be serving as Onu Ugwolawo to learn the act of leadership and it is in observance of this tradition that Idakwo is scheduled to spend two days in Ugwolawo.

Apart from Otulukpe Obaje, Idakwo Oboni is likely to be one of few, if not the only Attah that was never Onu Ugwolawo.

May the reign of Idakwo bring good fortune to Igala land. May we experience adequate rain fall, may the farmers smile, may we witness no war, may we not hear of any epidemic, may all our vanished festivals reappear, may our wives bear children, may our sons be strong and courageous.

Ache kil'omu ogwu.

Igala Place loves you

Wada returns, appoints new Atta

Fractured Governor Idris Wada who returned to Lokoja to resume duties after the deadly accident that claimed the life of his ADC appears to fully on ground now.

He returned to meet an occupied desk and he is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that he clears the all pending assignments.

This is evident in the approval of the long recommend of the Igala Traditional Ruling Council that Idakwo Oboni ascends the throne of Atta Igala.

Mr. Jacob Edi, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Idris, in a statement made available to the media said the appointment followed the laid down procedure according to the Igala Native Law and Customs as it relates to the selection and appointment of a successor to the throne of Attah Igala.

He added that the appointment is with immediate effect.

Though it will seem that no date has been fixed for the proper coronation, it is expected that it should take place very soon.