“Referring to paragraph 2 of your memorandum No. 30631/69 of the 16th of February, the Atta of Igbirra and the District Officer (Mr. Dewar) have completed an investigation into the question of the Village headship of Ajaokuta, and have put forward proposals, with which I agree, for its future administration.
– Ajaokuta is a cosmopolitan village founded by Igala from the opposite bank of the Niger. Its first Village Head was one, Obansa, an Igala.
– The Atta propose to appoint the eldest surviving son of Obansa, by name Labiyo, to the Village headship and presidency of a strong council…
– …anything in the nature of an Igbirra councillor, imported from Okene to supervise local administration is to be avoided, for it would not have the full support of the people.
– As Ajaokuta is not directly affected by Igbirra law and custom I do not consider it necessary to await the completion of Mr. Frampton’s investigations…”
Acting Resident,
Kabba Province
Memo No. 851/19A
Lokoja, 28 February, 1939
Copy to: –
D.O. Igbirra Division
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NOTE:
The ‘Atta’ here refers to Atta Ibrahim Onoruoiza, the first paramount Chief/Attah/Ohinoyi of Ebiraland (1917-1954) appointed by the British.
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HISTORICAL FACTS:
– Igala and Ebira (Igbirra) were never enemies.
– Igala Kingdom has always provided leadership and protection to many ethnic groups of the great Kwararafa Kingdom including Ebira.
– Igala Kingdom was long established before the settlement of Ebira in Okene and surroundings.
– Attah Igala had an Ambassador in Ihima before the arrival of Ebira from Koto after parting ways with their other brothers.
– The balkanization of the pre-colonial Igala State was designed intentionally to reduce the power of the revered Igala State. One the negative impact is the continuous attempt to annex Ajaokuta because it fell into the old Kabba Province while other parts of Igala Kingdom were shared into other provinces thereby reducing the control of the Attah Igala.
MISSION:
Setting the record straight for restoration, peace, unity and progress of the people and the state.
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ARISE IGALA Magazine (ISSUE 56)
