Culture
When the 49th Ata revived Italo festival to reawaken the Igalas’ consciousness

By John Danjuma
The Igala nation was electrified recently when it celebrated the Ujeju Ogwu (Italo) with pump and pageantry on December, 30/31st, 2022 after 11 years of non activity.
In the wisdom of the organizers of the event, politicians were not given the leverage to make speeches to avoid the political violence that put the Italo (Ujeju Ogwu) in abeyance for 11 years.
The worst thing that could ever happen to any race is for its people to be unable to come together with one voice, which became the lot of the Igala nation for over 11 years after the Ujeju Ogwu Igala (Italo) was suspended.

For the Igala nation, its horizon had been bleak for quite sometime with many tragedies starting with the death of Former Governor Abubakar Audu to that of a former Minister Barrister James Ocholi.
Hence, the Igala race that is aclaimed to be the 9th largest ethnic group in the country was no longer in the scheme of things both at the State and at the national levels.
Not impressed by the people he met that were not looking like his strong-willed and determined sons and daughters when he returned from hunting,
the 49th Ata Igala, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, Dr. Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa called for immediate restoration of the Ujeju Ogwu Igala (Italo) as the first necessary step to securing his people’s future, through putting heads together.
His call was made for Igala sons and daughters and in diaspora.
Thereafter, the 2022 Ujeju Ogwu Igala(Italo) which took place between December 30 and 31st 2022, as an answer to the yearnings for the festival that once served as an avenue for uniting all and sundry of the Igala nation both home and abroad.
As was witnessed, the event became a rallying point where sociopolitical and economic problems that affected the Igala nation were discussed and solutions found to ameliorate them.
The gathering also became an avenue where all personal grudges among the high profile Igala personalities were settled.
These were against the background that in the last one decade that the festival was outlawed society’s decay worsened, as every aspect of life was affected. The future of the homeland became bleak. There was no societal cohesion, no one to bell the cat until His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, Dr. Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa returned.
At the event proper, which took place at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Stadium Anyigba, unprecedented mammoth crowd graced the event that is also a National day for the race.
All the Onu (chief) Igala in the 36 States and Abuja led by Onu Kaduna, Chief Joseph Idaikwo Olimene Ata who also double as chairman of Onu Igala Forum were in attendance.
Former Minister of health Arch. Gabriel Aduku stormed the venue with youths in T-shirts campaigning for violent free election in 2023
The Prince Abubakar Audu University stadium was filled to capacity by the time the Atta made his entry.
There were cultural groups from Local Government Areas and they took their turns in entertaining guests till the masquerades of Atta were audaciously presented with their dreadful predilection. They are the royal masquerades.
Politicians were tamed as they not allowed to make speeches to avoid the political violence that put the Italo (Ujeju Ogwu) in abeyance for 11 years, the political violence between thugs of PDP and ANPP in 2011 at the same venue.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Isa Jibrin (Echocho), former National Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa, Hon. Hassan Baiwa, Arch Gabriel Aduku, former minister of State for Labour, Prof Stephen Oceini, Ejeh Dekina Dr Usman Obaje, Eje Ibaji Ajofe John Egwemi, Eje Ofu HRH Obaje, Ojogba Ife, Ohiegba Mozuni Kabir, all Royal coucellors led by chief Emmanue Onucheyo, all beaded women.
A paper, entitled, Towards proper use of the Igala language: ‘Speaking Frankly to Ourselves and our Children was presented by Professor Gideon S. Omachonu of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The paper examined the current State of the Igala Language studies and proper usage.
His paper spoke to many issues as it admonished the native speakers to do whatever is possible to work towards improving the chances of Igala Language surviving in the midst of the multitudes of languages in Nigeria0
His Royal Majesty in his speech said it was remarkable that after an eleven -year hiatus, “The annual celebration of cultural heritage has resumed, we give all honor, glory, and gratitude to the Lord God Almighty who has made this possible. We welcome you all most warmly.
He prayed for the sustainance of the festival as he mentioned that the Italo remains the only Royal festival of the Attah to be held outside the ancestral and spirtual headuaters.
“Over the years, Italo served as congruent of Igala unity and socio cultural cohesion. We must retum to these ideals. A situation where the Italo is used to disrespect and embarrass, the Attah instituton which is centuries old cannot be tolerated. “I therefore appeal to all Children
who are in politics to exhibit decorum and decency. We must echew thuggery, it is not our culture or character.”
He expressed the hope that the events that led to the suspension of Italo will not be repeated
“Today we are a picture of devastation from massive neglect, self destruction and erosion of social and societal values. The absence of this annual assembly has meant lack of proper focus on the society and the challenges of development.
“We therefore now have a huge burden for competent leadership. The followership must embrace education in all its ramifications. We must imbue personal values, honesty, hard-work, respect for others, orderliness, self-discipline, self-reliance, etc. The interest of the community should be superior to individual rights. “
According to him, an Igala Culture Policy Document is now required to chart and guide our language studies, music, art, and various aspects of life.
“A lot of intellectual work is required if we are to achieve our goals. Do we have active lgala historians, anthropologists, linguistics, etc? The Igala biochemist/nutritionist must go into Igala dietetics, lawyers go into lgala jurisprudence, pharmacists, and doctors into Igala medicines.
“Who would study our peculiar food stuffs like lrere, Ogoma, for the purpose of boosting their production? The lgala engineers, who should study the Igala science and technology, the Igala civilization?
He pointed out that, the Federal Government’s recent pronouncements on the re-introduction of the teaching ¢ history and mother tongue are of great interest to the race.
“Our retired history and mother tongue teachers must come out of retirement, even if it means not getting properly renumerate, half salary.
“The Owners of Schools and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) should respond appropriately. As a matter of urgent importance, all teachers of pure arts and science subjects should also come out of retirement to address our educational gap. We will be available to pursue further discussion on this.
He appealed for renewed strength of character and unity of purpose. “This is the way to face the future, we should not sit back and sulk. Permit me to repeat the words of World War Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill to his people after complete devastation of the war and the urgent need for massive rebuilding of infrastructure.
He said, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never — in nothing great or small or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force, never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy’. Churchil concluded, this is our “finest hour’.
After the successful event many Igala Stakeholders Commended Ata Igala or restoring ITALO Festival
A former commissioner of the Independent Electoral commission (INEC) , His Royal Highness Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, commended the Ata for the restoration of Italo and for the massive turn-out of people during the celebration at the Prince Abubakar Audu University stadium, Anyigba.
He called on all Igala to unite for a common goal.
Chief Onucheyo who is a member of Ata – in – council/ Royal Councilors , said their functions specifically entailed the deliberations on issue before passing it to Ata for his final endorsement.
He advised the youths to refuse to be used as thugs by politicians as he admonished them to remained focused to pursue their desired goals.
He encouraged the youths specifically to devote their maximum time to learn the Igala language so that they would be able to impact on their children.
According to him coming together in unity will be the strongest weapon against underdevelopment.
Earlier the chairman of the Ujeju Ogwu Igala in 2022, Dr Paul Amodu called on all Igala Sons and Daughters both home and in diaspora to embrace peace and unity for the growth and development of Igala land.
Dr Amodu who was the former Chief Medical Director, Specialist Hospital Lokoja said the development of Igala land depended on Igala unity.
In the same vein, the chairman of the planning committee , Chief Dr Jonathan Okpanachi commended the Ata for the success recorded within a space of three weeks of planning.
Going by the bitter experience of politicl rivalry which put the event on hold for 11years he said that in re- awakening the event , the committee ensured that no political posters of any kind was brought or placed at the venue.
Dr okpanachi said the revival of the Ujeju Ogwu Igala would ensure the restoration of the lost glory of Igala tradition and Culture.
Culture
Lamido Sanusi restored officially as Kano emir

Barely four years after he was deposed by the immediate past Governor of Kano state,Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House in Kano on Friday issued the letter of appointment to Sanusi Lamido which restored him as Kano Emir.
Governor Yusuf said,
“By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure to confirm the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council,” the governor said.
The governor urged the emir to lead according to Islamic tenets, as he read out his role.
“As the Emir is being appointed for the second time, it is based on his competence, credibility, and popularity,” he said.
“I urge him to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”
Traditional rulers, kingmakers, and other top dignitaries were in attendance at the event which came barely one day after Governor Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
The Emir is expected to lead the Juma’at prayer at the Government House.
The new law replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, and dissolves the emirate councils created by Ganduje.
Ganduje had splited⁵ the Kano Emirate into five in December 2019 and deposed Sanusi II, on March 9, 2020. The emirates created by the Ganduje administration were Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Gaya, in addition to Kano.
Governor Yusuf at the reinstatement event clarified that the 2019 move was a case of victimisation and narrated events leading to his return as emir
“We had a series of meetings with the Kingmakers yesterday, extensive discussions with the Speaker, and we also sat with all the heads of security. At the end of the day, we all gathered in the chamber where I received the bill that repealed the former law,” the governor said.
He continued, “We did that out of our convictions and belief that this gentleman was victimized in 2019. We all feel that we must restore what is due to the good people of the state.”
Governor Yusuf also thanked the legislative body for the accelerated passage of the bill
“Let me use this opportunity to humbly thank the Speaker and all members of the House for your determination and respect for the rule of law. It shows your interest in the welfare of the people of the state,” he said.
Emir Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was known as Lamido Sanusi before becoming king.
His deposition generated controversy in the state and beyond. But in reversing it, Governor Yusuf said it was the repeal of the old law that “balkanised the over 1,000-year- Kano Emirate.”
“From the very moment I signed the bill into law, it means that all appointments made in accordance with that 2019 law are voided, and the balkanised Kano Emirate has been restored to its original pre-2019 status,” the governor said.
“The repeal of the 2019 law means that there is no emir in Kano as of now except the reinstated emir.”
Following the new law, he gave the emirs who were in charge of the dissolved emirates 48 hours to leave their palaces.
Before signing the bill, Governor Yusuf and the speaker of the Kano State Assembly Aminu Abdussalam had met with traditional rulers and kingmakers behind closed doors.
Sanusi II started his reign on June 8, 2014, when Rabiu Kwankwaso was the governor of Kano State. His appointment came about four months after Goodluck Jonathan – the then-president – removed him as the governor of the CBN.
Culture
Minister Musawa commemorates World Culture Day, says, ‘our strength is in our diversity’

Nigerians should celebrate the country’s cultural diversity, because it the nation’s source of strength and unity, the Minister of Arts and Culture , Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has advocated
In her address to commemorate the 2024 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (World Culture Day), M
Musawa emphasized the need to appreciate and promote Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
A statement by her special adviser on media and publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, she urged Nigerians to take pride in their culture and recognize its potential to drive economic development, social and mental wellbeing, and national unity.
The Minister noted that the country’s plurality of culture and ethnicity should be leveraged to promote dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, rather than allowing differences to divide us. She encouraged Nigerians to see their diversity as a source of strength and unity, rather than a source of conflict.
“The World Culture Day is an opportunity to remind and help us to understand the value of cultural diversity and the vital role it plays in ensuring peaceful co-existence as a vital tool for socio-economic growth and development.
“It is a day for deep reflection on where we are as a nation. Taking into cognizance that our dear country is characterized by plurality of culture and ethnicity, it behooves on us to change the narrative on people who are culturally, ethnically and religiously different from us, in order to curb terrorism, kidnapping and banditry and other negative vices as we forge ahead as one people with a common goal”.
She also announced that the Ministry will continue to work tirelessly with its agencies and stakeholders to promote Nigeria’s creative economy and boost the nation’s image, in line with its Eight-point Plan to make Nigeria ,Africa’s Creative Capital by 2030.
“I wish to assure you that the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, in line with its Mandate to harness the potentials of Nigeria’s Creative Economy for socio-economic empowerment, economic diversification and job creation, will continue to work tirelessly with our Agencies and relevant stakeholders to boost the image of Nigeria and improve the lives of our people through the Ministry’s Eight-point Plan for Nigeria’s destination 2030 to become Africa’s Creative Capital.
“I call on all Nigerians to present our culture with with deep pride and appreciation and encourage us to continue to see our diversity as our source of strength and unity from which we can build a progressive nation for us all”.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (World Culture Day) is a day set aside by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on May 21st every year to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development.
Culture
Culture Ministry secures UNESCO Inscription for Sango Festival, Midwifery traditions

According to Musawa, the achievement was made possible through the Ministry’s tireless efforts and strategic collaborations at the national and international levels, in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, plays a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting cultural diversity worldwide. It helps in raising the awareness about the significance of Intangible Cultural Heritage, encourages dialogue between communities, fosters respect for cultural expressions and promotes sustainable development by preserving traditional knowledge and practices.
“The inclusion of these two Nigerian cultural elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has transformed them into shared global heritage (products) with enhanced visibility. The 181 States; Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are predisposed to visiting Nigeria to enjoy these cultural expressions.
“The anticipated increase in tourism inflow into the country, will result in global visibility, job creation and wealth generation , thereby contributing to sustainable national growth and development, economic well-being and pride in national cultural identity”.
The two key products from Nigeria were inscribed on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity during the 18th Session of the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Kasane Botswana from 4th to 9th December 2023.
The Sango Festival and Midwifery traditions have now been recognized as integral parts of human cultural heritage, joining five previous Nigerian inscriptions: Ifa Divination System (2008), Oral Heritage of Gelede (2008), Ijele Masquerade (2009), Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival (2016), and Kwagh-hir Theatrical Performance (2019).
This milestone not only promotes cultural diversity and community cohesion but also contributes to sustainable development, job creation, and wealth generation through increased tourism. It aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritizes the appreciation and preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The Minister of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has announced the Ministry’s achievement in pushing for UNESCO’s inscription of Sango festival Oyo and the multinational nominating of Midwifery: knowledge skills and practices.
A statement by her special adviser on media Nneka Nkem Anibeze quoted the minister to have spoken at the Federal Executive Council Meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, while briefing the Council on the strategic activities of the ministry since its establishment in August 2023.

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