Ola Akinloye
It was tradition at its finest display on Saturday, October 26, 2019, when the Igede monarch in Lagos State, Dr Francis Ogbu, inaugurated the Adikoba-in-Council for the Igede community in Ikoroodu Division.
The inauguration ceremony, which was held at 15, Baba Benja Crescent, Oreyo in Igbogbo Kingdom of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division, witnessed exciting traditional displays by masquerades and various groups.
And as a way of displaying their love for culture and tradition, the traditional Igede drum was deployed in mobilizing and creating awareness for the programme among the Igede community, most of whom reside in Oreyo area of the Igbogbo community.
While installing members of the council, the Igede monarch charged them to develop and promote the tradition and culture of Igede community and work towards the people’s advancement.
Members of the newly constituted Adikoba-in-Council are Mr Mattew Oga from Iyeche community, Mr Ezekiel Edigbo from Ainu community, Mr Patrick Olom from Ibila community, Mr Gabriel Uke from Ito community, Mr David Ijoko from Oboru community, Mr John Ekpa from Igabwu community, Mr Joel Ogah from Oju community, Mr David Egbe from Uwokwu community, Mr Godwin Ogah from Itakpa community, and Mr Friday Okwe from Owo community.
Mr Mike Alewu, the President, Igede Progressives Elites Caucus Association (IPECA), speaking on the importance of the council , stated that Adikobas are the spokespersons of the monarch and the custodians of Igede’s tradition and culture.
“In Igede traditional society, Adirahu is a King while the Adikobas are the spokepersons of Adirahu. The team upholds cultural heritage and values of Igede nation”, he stated.
“We are proud race, intelligent, creative and inheritors of credible cultural identity”.
He stated that IPECA was created to foster unity among the Igede people wherever they reside in Nigeria.
“Like all other people of the world, the Igede people of Benue State, through IPECA, has forged an identity and vision for her people wherever they may be residing in Nigeria. The group was incorporated to foster a united front for all Igede people. We should never allow anyone, no matter whom, to take us for granted again
“IPECA is committed to the totality of our people’s well-being. Wherever the Igede people reside in all parts of the country, we will stand and identify with them”, Mr Alewu assured.
While enjoining young Igede people to keep promoting their culture, Mr Alewu also stated that the colours of Igede identification are black, blue and white.
There are many associations under ikorodu division present at the monarch palace.
In a chat with Mr Friday Okwe, representing Owo community, he expressed his gratitude to God and his people for his nomination into the Adikoba-in-Council, while adding that he is committed to joining others in moving Igede community forward.
Mr Ezekiel Edigbo, another member of the council assured Igede people that the council would join hands with them in developing the community. He, however, challenged Igede youths to take the promotion of their culture and tradition seriously.
The representative of Iyeche community in the council, Mr Mattew Oga, also pledged to use his position to promote development in Igede community.
The ceremony, which took place at the palace of the Igede monarch and recorded impressive attendance of various associations and groups under the Igede community, presented a platform for the Igede people, both young and old, to promote their cultural and tradition heritages which they all represented in their respective endeavors.
