By; Jerome-Mario Utomi
on Saturday August 17. 2024, the Onu Ika, a socio-cultural organization and umbrella body of indigenes of Ika nation, held its 24TH OGWA IKA 2024 And 20TH IkA MMA Annual Lecture Series hosted by Igbodo Kingdom.
The venue was filled to capacity and dotted with Ika nation-related regalia. Participants were drawn from traditional institutions, top government functionaries, community development advocates, opinion leaders and notable men and women of Ika ethnic nationality with burning desire to build a better Ika nation.
As expected, the meeting featured well-crafted topics for discussion, all geared towards moving Ika nation to become a geographical location where security, peace, unity, justice and sustainable development shall reign supreme. On their part, speakers were unanimous in the urgency of tackling the hydra-headed challenges confronting the Ika nation in particular and the state and Nigeria in general.
But of all that was said and observed, the content of the welcome address by HRM (Barr) Ikechukwu Nkeobikwu Osedume I.
The Obi of Igbodo kingdom, not only stood out but was highly commendable as it touched every aspect of human existence which include but not limited to; security, community development, governance, collaboration for development and peace building.
On that day, at that time and in that place, HRM through the quality of his presentation proved beyond reasonable doubt to the bewildered gathering, that even as a traditional ruler, he is capped with nation building prowess.
Beginning with gratitude, His Royal Majesty (HRM) said; It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Igbodo kingdom. Majority of you have, no doubt, sacrificed your busy daily schedules to honour the invitation to attend the 24th Ogwa Ika and the 20th Ika Ka Mma Annual Lecture series being hosted by Igbodo Kingdom.
From appreciation to giving detailed historical meaning of the name, Igbodo, His Royal Majesty said; “Igbodo is the food basket of Delta State” and the Kingdom of wealth, “Igbodo Akwu” – The name derived from the agricultural prowess of the Igbodo kingdom. Indeed, there is hardly any agricultural produce that you cannot get from Igbodo land. Also, I know that most of the elders here today who attended the popular “Modern School, Igbodo” of the old are at home where they got the baptism of “Higher education” in their youth.
Away from historical overview to felicitation, the revered monarch captures it this way; may I sincerely felicitate with the Onu Ika Nigeria for their commitment and doggedness in sustaining the yearly gathering of all the Ika people for the Ogwa Ika events and Concomitant lecture series to date. I say bravo to the Onu Ika Nigeria members.
‘’The theme for the 24th Ogwu Ika and 20th Ika ka mma Annual Lecture Series: “INSECURITY IN IKALAND: ELECTION AND POVERTY IN IKA LAND” is apt, relevant and a reflection of the true state of affairs in Ika land. Indeed, insecurity had brought untold poverty and hardship in Ika land. Fear and uncertainty in the agrarian kingdoms have reduced drastically the realization of agricultural potentials resulting in food insecurity, hunger and avoidable crimes. It appears that there is no kingdom that is not affected by the menace of insecurity. The insecurity has reached the level that if you misplace any farm implement in your farm, the “foreigners” in the bush will be the one to show you where you kept it. This is the height of the mess we are in. Let me leave this for the Onu Ika Nigeria and the Guest speaker to deal with and advise accordingly’’.
At this point, the Obi of Igbodo said something very remarkable.
Let’s listen to him; It is a known fact that Igbodo is one of the food centres in the state and people come to Igbodo market from far and near to purchase agricultural produce in commercial quantities. The Benin-Asaba ExpressWay created easy access for people to come to the market. However, the existing market does not accommodate the influx of buyers and it lacks modern day facilities. May we call on the Delta state Government and the Ika North-east Local Government to construct a befitting Ultra-modern market with facilities in Igbodo kingdom.
Moving away from analysis to finding solution, he placed a request on the state government; Your Excellency, how I wish you can visit the Igbodo Orie market for you to see for yourself the sea of agricultural produce ranging from tomatoes, peppers, plantains, garri, sugar cane, yam, etc. most of these agricultural products are perishable in nature and most of them are wasted for lack of bulk purchase for processing and storage facilities. My people will rejoice and work harder if the Governments (state and local) can establish garri processing, tomato juice processing, yam and cassava flour processing factories, and also if storage facilities are provided to put an end to the wastages which are the sweats of our farmers’’.
Continuing, the monarch said something else that the state government must take seriously; the opening up and construction of the link road from Igbodo to Isaiah Camp, a settlement owned and inhabited by Igbodo people for the tripartite gains of: Easy access to farmlands, Enhance security-easy patrol and monitoring by security Agencies. Conveyance of agricultural produce to the markets’’.
‘’May we call on His Excellency and our Ika North-East Local Government Chairman to kindly consider and upgrade the existing Igbodo health facilities to a hospital with resident medical doctor(s) and other healthcare personnel for them to properly key into and enjoy the full benefits of health for all through the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme; and thereby saving the costs of transportation to the neighboring towns for Medicare. My people will be happy if this upgrade is actualized’’.
From health care provision to irrigation for agricultural purposes, the traditional ruler, has this to say; It would surprise all that in spite of the great agricultural produce in Igbodo, Igbodo kingdom has no flowing water sources but our hard-working farmers suffer all-year round to ensure that the seedlings are watered, nurtured and planted. I call on the Government (State and Federal) to embark on a Water Irrigation Project for farmlands in Igbodo to boost production of agricultural produce in Igbodo kingdom. When established, the farm produce will be for all seasons and food security will be ensured in the state and other neighbouring states.
Moving away from government functionaries to reminding traditional rulers in Ika land of their responsibilities, he underlined thus; Let us, the Royal Fathers collaborate and synergize amongst ourselves to curb the societal ills-insecurity brought about by influx of foreigners in Ika land, peer group crimes (yahoo plus and cultism), kidnapping, and human trafficking. Collaboration with the various security outfits –the Vigilante groups, Anti-cult group, DSS and the Police will make the fight against the societal ills successful.
Let us speak with one voice on the matters that are troubling the kingdoms as the Chief Security Officers of our various communities’’.
As a matter of fact, I feel greatly honoured and blessed by the Almighty God to have kind hearted and benevolent people in my kingdom, both at home and in diaspora. Your supports for the hosting of 2024 Ogwa Ika by Igbodo kingdom driven by the spirit of charity and patriotism are hereby acknowledged. Thank you all for the manifestation of love, commitment and patriotism for your fatherland. I thank all the important guests and other government functionaries, from far and near who I was not able to accommodate in the opening protocol. I appreciate your time and presence. Thank you all, and thank you all, and remain blessed, Amen. He concluded.
This piece on its part believes that there are useful lessons for Local and state government officials as well as traditional rulers within and outside Ika nation to draw from this validly important presentation by the traditional ruler.
