There are many challenges facing Igala nation, her tribe and unity.
Igala was a great tribe, blessed with all a tribe needs to become great, there were tales told of our sovereignty, our unity, our identity, our victories at war, our love for one another and the communal concern we had as a tribe.
Oral history told tales of how one man’s wealth was the wealth of the whole community and how farming and harvest were done together and some of us witness this why growing up in the village.
The solidarity and sacrifice for one another that is what the Igala tribe was known for.
But today, all that are no where to be found again, the Igala tribe has lost all of this virtue and gradually we have become a deteriorated people, frustrated by our own self and the decisions we take every day by some enemies of igala kingdom.
Yet nobody is saying anything yet we keep pretending that all is fine with the tribe, we are shouting “Igala Awaaaa” here and there, knowing full well that there are a lot of Igala questions begging for answers. Knowing deep down our hearts that there are a lot of Igala mistakes seeking for redress.
when some of us are saying something for us to learn from it, some persons what to use their mental slavery thinking to ague us blindly of what they don’t know.
The Igala unity has been a strong one from the creation till now because the Igala name means one family in unity and look upon by the (ATTAH) father and father rules the family
Wherever the Igalas is today can also trace their root back to the place of origin and the place where they migrated from and Idah remained the ancestral home till now of the all Igalas now, anyone try to deny that is the enemies of igala kingdom.
This alone give a lot to the meaning and understanding of what Igala is today compare to others tribes in Nigeria.
The main challenges that are facing Igala Nation and her unity, the challenges all statted far back from the colonia era, in politics, Islam and Christianity religious
1) COLONIA ERA There was strong resistance to the European passage on the river by Attah Igala and Igala leaders, who kept an eagle eye on the river. As a result, the colonial master (Administrators) became hostile in their policies against the Igala Kingdom.
First, is the strangulation of the Igala homogeneity and planted seed of discord amongst the igala, who had hitherto enjoyed strong affinity of their leader Atta Igala.
Igala was divided into bits. According to Late Prof Ibrahim Omale, On 31st December, 1899, the British established a protectorate of Southern Nigeria with Idah, the Headquarters of Igala Kingdom under Nsukka Division of Onitsha Province.
On 1st January, 1900 to 1903, Lokoja which was part of Igala Kingdom was declared the Capital of the protectorate of Northern Nigeria. Idah which is the Headquarters of Igala Kingdom was in Southern Nigeria and Lokoja, part of Igala Kingdom was in the Northern Nigeria.
The bitter experience started in 1903; Igala land was segmented into two spheres of political regions. Idah the capital of Igala kingdom fell under Onitsha province of the southern protectorate while the rest of Igala land was in the northern protectorate. Attah Ocheje Onapka, whose kingdom was divided fought to regain the integrity of the divided kingdom, rather he was disgraced, banished and died heartbroken at Asaba in 1903.
The worst destruction of that time in history was that non-royals and aliens were installed in oppositions to Attah in different part of Igala land most notably Hausa men- Sherif Abu. Onu Ankpa: Umar Meliga, Onu Ajobe. and Mamn Lafia, Onu Ojoku. this is what brought more of hausa influence in Ankpa LG and other part like Mahmudu Onu Abejukolo; However, this event came to its peak following the tyranny of the installed Onu Dekina, Ahmodu, A Yoruba man, who was ridiculing and challenging the authority of the Attah institution even claiming a right to the Attah throne in Idah.
This was the direct cause of the 1916-1917 Mahionu war in Biraidu (Abocho) district leading to the Igala fighting against their subjugation, fragmentation and tyranny.
This affair led to the resistances and agitations by king for the restoration of the Igala land as one holistic entity. In those days, an Attah does not need a boat to cross a rivers; a car to travel even in war, only three soldiers could go and destroy a whole city in an invisible operation.
The bitter experiences continue for the motions passed and implemented. The motions passed in 1920. Minute by H.R. PALMER, dated: 28/9/1921… These remain a war against Igala just because of their intelligence and superiority over other races!
Past history of ATTAH IGALA for more insight of who is the modern enemies of igala kingdom.
Or who is still under mental slavery of the Colonia master and Hausa/Fulani jihadis
Atta Amaga (Circle 1884 -1900) (The 15th Attah from Akogu Ayegba) Attah Amaga took Attah Igala’s throne when Attah Okoliko died. He also inherited Attah Okoliko’s problem. These included the Fulani jihad and the activities of the European traders on the Niger. As a result of the Fulani raids in the confluence of the refuges poured into Igalaland in thousands. Attah Amaga could not enforce his authority in the northern part of the Kingdom.
Atta Ocheje Onokpa 1901 – 1903 (The 16th Atta from Itodo Aduga Akumabi Ayegba) Attah Ocheje Onokpa ascended the throne as Attah Igala in August, 1901. He was installed under the supervision of a British Colonial Officer Mr. Charles Parrtridge. The importance of Ocheja Onokpa in Igala history is his opposition to British rule and the division of his kingdom into two. For example the present Ofu, Igalamela/Odolu, Idah and Ibaji Areas were made part of Onitsha province of southern Nigerian.
While the present Dekina, Bassa, Omala, Ankpa and Olamaboro local Government areas were made part of bassa province of Northern Nigeria. Attah Ocehja Onokpa was not satisfied with the whole situation.
The Government of southern Nigeria fearing an Igala rebellion accused him of an act likely to disturb the peace. As a result of this he was disposed and banished to Asaba. He was the first Attah Igala to be deposed.
Attah Oboni Akwu (1905 – 1911) (The 17th Attah from Ocholi Ayegba) Attah Oboni Akwu was installed the Attah Igala in 1905 after about a two year quarrel about who should succeed the deposed Attah (Ocheja Onokpa). Ocheja Onokpa’s brother Akwu Enede seized the throne by force. The British Colonial administration after an investigation approved the appointment of Oboni Akwu as the new Attah Igala. Like his predecessor, Attah Oboni’s influence never went beyond the present Ofu Local Government Area. Attah Oboni knew where the real sources of power lay and therefore ruled according to the wishes of the colonial Administration. It was during the reign of Attah Oboni Akwu that the famous government school was opened the same year. The construction of the Idah – Nsukka road was begun during his reign. He died in 1911.
Attah Oguche Akpa (1911 – 1919) (The 18th Attah from Attah Amacho Akumabi Ayegba) like his predecessor Attah Oboni Akwu, Atta Oguche Akpa’s influence was limited to the present Ofu, Igalamela/Odolu, Idah and Ibaji Local Government Areas. He did not like this situation.
The importance of Attah Oguche Akpa in Igala history was that he planned and executed Igala rebellion of 1916 – 1917. He did this from a distance as he feared the colonial officers. This rebellion is sometimes called the Mahionu war. Attah Oguche Akpa organized the rebellion with the cooperation of prince Atabo Ijomi, (who succeeded him as the Attah Igala in 1919), Amanabo Ogili, (who later became the Amanata during the reign of Obaje Ocheja), and the chief priest of Mahionu spirit. The result of the rebellion was the reunification of the Igala Kingdom in 1918, and the creation of Igala Native Authority later the same year. Attah Oguche Akpa was the first Attah Igala to rule the Igala kingdom after the reunification.
He appointed Prince Atabo Ijomi as the first district head of Ugwolawo to reward him for his role during the Igala rebellion of 1916 – 1917. He created districts and Gago Areas in the kingdom. He died in 1919.
After the mahionu war prince Atabo Ijomi and Atiyele have to take a tour around igala Land especially the akpotor igala area to strengthen each chiefdom to create territorial forces (that’s what we called IBEGWU cultures in Olamaboro today) to defend the territory of igala Land and all IGALA THRONE that’s why igala throne remain more traditionals and rituals till day if you think you can’t do the traditions and rituals of your ancestors stay away the throne or wearing the beads.
Those who disagree with Prince Atabo Ijomi and Atiyele are facing alot of Hausa/Fulani influence in their land and their chiefdom. they are only pretending everything is ok because some history are fading away.
This is my stand in igala Land any beaded Chiefs or King that is going against the cultures and beliefs of our Fathers, forefathers and our ancestors remain the enemies of igala kingdom and doesn’t deserve our respect and patriotism to his palace..
According to what I heard the new aidoko aya undergoing coronation of ATTAH IGALA. Is from lineage of Oguche Akpa if so that means igala Land going to witness modern reunification of Igala kingdom.
The aim of agitating for youths to be in leadership position is bring more innovations to the existing cultures not create havoc to the existing cultures.
Long live Attah Igala
Long live Igala kingdom
Long live all IGALA people that have Igala kingdom at heart
Enemona Abel oma Patrick Abu Ellah