Uk’Omu Igala Organization, an umbrella group for all socio-cultural groups in Kogi East Senatorial District, has commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the recent de-proscription five cultural festivals.
Governor Bello, in February 2018 announced the lifting of embargo on the celebration of Ocho, Egwu, Ogbadu, Ogaganyi and Iyalo festivals in Igala land. The religious-cum-cultural festivals were banned in the 1950s for political reasons by the erstwhile Government of Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the National Leader of Uk’Omu Igala Organization, Major-General Patrick Akpa, the group said the action would revive cultural activities in Igala land and create economic benefits for the tourism sector in Kogi State.
The statement reads thus: “The recent decision by Governor Yahaya Bello to de-proscribe five Igala traditional festivals which had been proscribed by the Government of Northern Nigeria in the 1950s has come as a pleasant and positive development in the state. The festivals include Ocho, Egwu, Ogbadu, Ogaganyi and Iyalo.
“These festivals were an integral part of the Igala culture, tradition, religion and were an embodiment of the social values, beliefs and ethics of our ancestors. They had been developed over hundreds of years by our forbearers and custodians of our traditional institutions. They defined the way of life of the Igala people, but the pre-Independence politics in the Northern wing of Nigeria, which was not comfortable with the self-confidence and decisive personality of our traditional leaders, led to their abrogation.
“Over the period when the festivals were frozen, a lot of damages were done to our culture. For one, cultural activities provide the essential connection between the old and the younger generations. They are the means of transmitting social values, beliefs, religions and customs from generation to generation. In this regard, we have noticed that most Igala sons and daughters born after the proscription of the festivals were not acquainted with the essence and spirit of these cultural activities. Many were not aware that these festivals ever existed, not to talk of knowing their significance. With their reintroduction, Igala sons and daughters would have to begin to learn the crux and nucleus of these festivals.
“Culture is very dynamic, hence, the revival of the cultural festivals should be seen as a challenge, not only to reconnect with our heritage, but also to modernise the relevant institutions and festivals to meet modern standards. There is no gainsaying the fact these festivals have the potential of boosting the tourism industry in Igala land. If properly organised and modernised, each of the festivals would attract tourists from all over the world to Igala land, and the ripple effects would lead to economic prosperity.
“It is, therefore, necessary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Kogi State to begin to identify cultural artefacts and locations in Igala land with the aim of developing them to the a global standard so as to attract tourists from other parts of the world. We have copious examples of states in contemporary Nigeria who have successfully developed the tourism potentials and have been benefitting immensely from their patronage. Kogi State cannot follow their footsteps now that this opportunity to reactivate Igala rich cultural festivals has been created.
“While we commend Governor Bello for this encouraging step, we congratulate the Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu (Dr) Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II for initiating the process for the de-proscription of these cultural festival. In the same vein, we challenge and encourage Igala sons and daughters to come together and support the process of ensuring that the festivals come alive.
