•. Demands Halt On The Process Of Attah Igala Coronation
Following agitations from certain quarters especially the Kingmakers who are charged with the responsibility of selecting and recommending a new Attah, the leadership of the Igala Youth Council has called on the Committee set up to verify the petitions against the Kingmakers to make open their findings than announcing a new Attah as it is not their responsibility to do so.
The Council frowned at the manner at which the Committee led by the Ejeh of Dekina arrogated to themselves powers that are alien to our culture and tradition. The IYC warned those concerned to desist from creating a lifelong crisis in the Kingdom.
The President of the Igala Youth Council therefore demands a complete halt to the action of the Committee until their findings are made public with substantial evidences.
You will recall that just last week, rising from an emergency meeting, the Igala Youth Council charged all responsible for the selection and appointment of Attah Igala to adhere strictly to due process as enshrined in the gazette and our cultural process of appointing Attah.
The President of the Council, Comrade Onogu Collins personally issued this statement on behalf of the Council to show the importance of this matter.
The President also called for calm by all sons and daughters of the kingdom as the matter will be looked into to the last detail without any iota of bias.
On his own part, Mr Onuche Samson Eleojo is of the opinion that if the announcement is it in tandem with the practice then every other interested party must allow whosoever was announced be sworn in peace for the sake of our Kingdom. We cannot bring our Kingdom down.
As for Mr Ochedi Udale , Where did you read, hear or learn that the Igala Area Traditional Council can recommend an Ata designate for coronation in our entire history?
Truth is; the first the kingmakers was wrong and now, this by Ejè Dekina’s led Igala Area Traditional Council is even worse.
They Are From The Same Family any one of them can occupy the vacant position,
Another interested party who spoke with the OBSERVERS TIMES on the condition of the anonymity said the decision of the kingmakers do not go down well with the entire family considering the fact that they are to make their finding open first but insisting that since the Prince Mathew Opaluwa is of the same lineage and blood relative with others , his own level of anger is reduced but insisting that they can’t be a new Attah without the input of the Etemahi of igala kingdom asked the king makers to do all they can to have him on the same side as sidelining him will amount to nullity all their effort.
OBSERVERS TIMES Report earlier that after painstaking and meticulous process , the Igala Area Traditional Council has selected Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche as the new Ata’Igala designate pending his confirmation by the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello
The approval followed the consideration of the review-committee set up by the state government which was headed by the Ojogba of Ife, Chief Boniface Musa. They were mandated to look into the recommendations of the initial kingmakers and come out with the most suitable person to occupy the Attah Igala Stool.
Our Correspondent gathered from reliable source that the choice of Prince Matthew Opaluwa Oguche was reached at the Igala Area Traditional Council Meeting held at the Attah Igala’s Palace in Idah on Tuesday in line with the decision of the review-committee’s report.
By this announcement, prince Matthew Oguche will succeed late Atta’ Igala Micheal Ameh Oboni who died last year.
With this development also, the Ameachor lineage returns to the throne of the Attah after 102 years.
Matthew Oguche will no doubt sparkle the throne that his forefather last occupied in 1919.
prince Matthew Oguche was born into the Royal family of late Chief Opaluwa Oguche Akpa.
He is the number nine (9) of the sixteen (16) surviving children and the forth (4) of the six (6) male children of Late Chief Opaluwa Oguche of the humble Aju- Ameacho Ruling Dynasty of Igala Kingdom. His mother was Late Mama Eke Opaluwa (nee Edicha).
Educational Qualifications
Prince Alhaji Matthew M. Opaluwa Oguche started his early education at St. Boniface Primary School, Idah and obtained his first school leaving certificate in the year, 1975. He proceeded in the same year to St. Peter’s College, Idah and obtained his West African Schools Certificate (WASC) in 1980.
In his quest for education as his father advised him, in 1981 he gained admission into the School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo and obtained “A” level papers in 1983. That same year, he gained admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired Bachelors of Science (B. Sc.) degree in Business Administration in 1986. He did his National Youths Service (NYSC) assignment in Niger State and served at the State Board of Internal Revenue, 1986/87 service year successfully.
Still in his quest for more knowledge, Prince Alhaji M.M. Opaluwa Oguche went back to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired his Masters (MBA) degree in Business Administration in the year 1997.
Working Experience
The cognate working experience of this great man started with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1988 as administrative officer and rose through ranks and now a Deputy Director. He has served in many Local Governments Areas of Kogi State as Electoral Officer which include; Idah, Ofu, Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa, Ibaji, Mopa/Amuro, Ogori/Magongo, and Okene respectively.
Prince Alhaji M. M. Opaluwa Oguche was transferred to Kaduna State INEC Headquarters and made in charge of Transport Unit. Still in Kaduna State, he has served in the following Local Government Areas as Electoral officer (E.O);
Sabon – Gari, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Kauru, & Kaduna North L.G.As respectively.
Prince Alhaji Matthew M. Opaluwa Oguche was again transferred to Katsina State INEC Headquarters in July,2009 and was made to take charge of Research and documentation Unit.
There after, he was transferred to Dandume Local Government Area as Electoral Officer. After 2011 general elections, he was seconded to Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT as Electoral officer. He was transferred after back after the exercise to Katsina State and served in the following local government areas as Electoral Officer; Danja and Dutsinma respectively after 2011 general elections. Finally, he was moved to Katsina LGA in the same capacity during the 2015 general elections till date.
