By Sunday ITODO
In recent times, it has been the norm of the people of
various ethnic backgrounds to honour illustrious and outstanding members of the
society, who have distinguished themselves among the comity of people or in
their chosen careers.
Such honours could come in form of presentation of award of
excellence; casting votes for the individual during elections; conferment of
chieftaincy title; among others. These are usually done without bias and with
utmost sincerity of heart, as a mark of reward and acknowledgement of the
contributions of such a recipient to the society.
The late literary icon, Chinua Achebe once said that “it is
better to celebrate a man when he is still alive and can appreciate it than
bringing a cow to his funeral”.
This must have informed the decision of Ai-Oji Family
Development Association, Abuja branch, when they turned out in their numbers to
celebrate one of their own, Chief John Adikwu Igoche with the title of ‘Ojema 1 of Ai-Oji’.
It was indeed a memorable day for Chief Igoche and the entire
Ai-Oji community as everyone could not hold back the joy and ecstasy that
engraved their hearts. The popular
Isabada traditional dancing troupe (also known as the Young shall grow) and the traditional royal drummers popularly
called Idaachi were on ground to
thrill the teeming guests with royal dance.
The reason for their joy could not be far-fetched: first,
they were delighted that Chief John Adikwu Igoche, whom they described as an
“icon of peace” and “a perfect gentleman”, was being honoured with a well
deserved title.
Secondly, it has been exactly 10 years since an event of such
magnitude was held at the instance of Ai-Oji. In the year 2003, the
socio-cultural forum conferred chieftaincy titles on the following illustrious
sons of Oji, for their outstanding records in the forum.
1.
Chief
Audu Ogbeh (Agaba 1 of Ai-Oji);
2.
Chief
Dr. Sylvanus Mohammed Itodo, MON (Akanaba
1 of Ai-Oji);
3.
Chief
Daniel Apochi (Akpa Och’olofu 1 of
Ai-Oji);
4.
Chief
Paul Ochonu, AIG Rtd. (Oleyame 1 of
Ai-Oji).
The traditional rulers from Otukpa were also in attendance to
register their supports for the new Ojema
1, whom they described in affirmative as “a worthy son of Otukpa”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the President of Ai-Oji
Family Development Association, Abuja branch, Mr. Sunday Boyi Joseph explained
the rationale behind conferring the title on Chief Igoche. “His Chieftaincy
recommendation came as a result of his commendable and human magnanimity, hard
work, general contributions towards Oji and
the stability of Ai-Oji since its inception.
“His attitude as a past President of this great family cannot
be quantified or underestimated. He is indeed a born leader and an epitome of
achievements”, Joseph said.
Also speaking during the occasion, a one-time recipient of Oleyame 1 of Ai-Oji, Chief AIG Paul
Ochonu (Rtd) described Chief Igoche as a worthy son of Ai-Oji who has piloted
the affairs of the community for over a decade and have contributed to the
peace, unity and development of the family. “I have known him from birth, to be
a hardworking and dutiful man who knows the history of Otukpa to the fullest.
His conferment is not misplaced at all”, Chief Ochonu testified.
In his keynote address, a respected Historian and Researcher
from Ai-Oji clan, Engr. Michael Oteikwu eulogized the personality in Chief
Igoche, describing him as an embodiment of unity and pillar of hope in the
community.
Engr. Oteikwu who gave a lecture titled “Whither Ai-Oji”,
where he gave the account of the Ai-Oji genealogy from the 1st to
the 5th generations also made strong suggestions on how to redeem
the Family back to her social and economic track. His words “The present
opportune and resource-rich Ai-Oji must constitute themselves into an array of
pillars in a social engineering fashion forming a soci-economic platform on
which to grow and nurture a new generation of Ai-Oji, provably successful in
economy, business and leadership”.
What then is the significance of the title to the progress of
the community? Hon. Chief Dr. Sylvanus M. Itodo, Special Adviser to Governor
Suswam on Inter-Party Affairs and a title holder in Ai-Oji family elicited: “As
the name implies, ‘Ojema’ is
literally translated as someone who knows, respects and maintains
relationships. Chief Igoche is well known for that and I’m sure he would use
this singular honour to bring together, all sons and daughters of Ai-Oji especially
those who are in disagreements”, he said.
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and Member
representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency at the House of
Representatives, Hon. Hassan Saleh lauded the decision of Ai-Oji for conferring
the title of ‘Ojema 1’ on Chief
Igoche and called on other members to emulate the patriotism in him, saying if
all men were like Chief Igoche, the world would have been a free place to live
in.
Hon. Saleh who was represented by Mr. Innocent Achem however
bemoaned the level of disunity and rancor that is paramount among the Ai-Oji
elites which he said was responsible for the low spate of development among the
people and called on all and sundry to unite with one voice and build a more
cohesive Ai-Oji that is devoid of acrimony.
Responding, the Celebrant, Chief John Adikwu Igoche said he
dedicated his new title to Almighty God and members of the 5 clans of Ai-Oji
Family. The elated Celebrant said he could not hide his joy the moment he was
briefed about the intension of the Ai-Oji community to honour him with such a
title and appreciated everyone who contributed immensely to the success of the
event.
“Honestly I feel honoured, I’m happy! It is a joyous thing to
know that your people recognize your contributions and efforts at effecting
social development in the society. When I was playing my part as the Pioneer
President of this great Assembly, I never knew they were observant of all my
activities, and today they decided to honour me back.
“My advice to other Ai-Oji family members and all the invited
guests is that they should try to live in peace with one another. There is
nothing as good as constituting a peaceful environment for a mutual
co-existence. We should try to help the young ones and the less-privileged;
whatever position we find ourselves should be used to better the lives of
people around us, this will help to build a peaceful and crime-free
neighbourhoods.
“I have presided over the affairs of Ai-Oji for 12 years
since I left Lagos and in all my handlings and teachings, I have always
preached peace and unity, this and many other reasons were responsible for
today’s event and I want to sincerely enjoin the new leadership and members of
the community to emulate me”, Chief Igoche said.
The Celebrant also used the occasion to press for truce among
the elites, saying it’s when they are united that they could plan the
development of Ai-Oji together. While calling on them to have the interest of
the youths at heart by placing them in various job openings in their
organizations, Chief Igoche also admonished young graduates to equip themselves
with skills for self employment and should not reject any job opportunity that
may come their way.
Born to the family of Late Igoche Adikwu of Ai-Ojobi in
Ai-Oji family of Ai-Oono clan, Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State, Chief John
Adikwu Igoche attended St. Stephen Primary School, Agbaha Otukpa. In the year
1966 when schools were shut down due to the Nigerian Civil War, his elder
brother Late Hon. Linus Abah Igoche took him away to Jos, Plateau State, where
he completed his primary education in 1972.
The then young and ebullient John also got admission into St.
Augustine Teacher’s College, Lafia in the present Nasarawa State, where he
graduated with flying colours. He became a classroom Teacher with the LGEA
Primary School Obu Otukpa in 1979 and after a year, he decided to upgrade his
academic qualifications at the Murtala College of Science and Technology
(MUCAST) now Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo where he had his ND and HND
qualifications in 1983 and 1986 respectively.
After his one year compulsory clarion call in the National
Youth Service Corps at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State in 1987, Chief John Adikwu got
engaged into the services of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in
1989, where he has been serving the nation diligently till today. He is also a
holder of Bachelor of Science B.Sc. degree in Sociology from the University of
Abuja in 2005.
Chief John Adikwu Igoche is married to his beautiful wife,
Ene, and the union is blessed with 2 lovely daughters.
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