___Warns against divisions, urges revival of Idoma Development Foundation
Retired Supreme Court Justice, Ejembi Eko, has called for renewed unity, purposeful leadership, and economic self-reliance among the Idoma people to secure the future of the kingdom and restore its lost glory.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Shaping the Future of the Idoma Nation: One Kingdom, One Destiny” at a Royal Banquet in honour of the Och’Idoma in Abuja, Justice Eko said the time had come for the Idoma nation to rediscover its collective strength and build on the legacy of its forebears.
He reminded the gathering that in Idoma tradition, the throne and the people are mutually dependent, symbolised by the saying “Oche gb’opu; Opu gb’oche” — meaning the king needs the people, and the people need the king.
“The King derives his authority, supremacy, and greatness from the people, the Ojira,” he said. “Unless we unite now to save ourselves and secure the future, we will have nothing to bequeath to the next generation.”
Justice Eko traced the origin of Idoma kingship to Igala and Kwararafa traditions, explaining that the king is regarded as a “living ancestor” bound by moral purity and accountability. He recalled historical instances where erring monarchs were deposed for violating their oaths, citing the cases of the Och’Iwili of Adoka and Och’Odugbo of Odugbo.
He also gave a brief historical overview of the Idoma Kingdom, noting that it was unified by the colonial administration in 1923 when various autonomous clans were merged to form the Idoma Division. The stool of Och’Idoma, he said, was established in 1948 with Ogiri Oko of Adoka as the first occupant.
Subsequent rulers included Abraham Ajene Okpabi (Idoma East), Dr Edwin Ogbu (Idoma South), Elias Ikoyi Obekpa (Idoma West), and the incumbent Och’Idoma (Idoma North), marking a four-zone rotational pattern of leadership.
The retired Justice lamented the current state of disunity and economic stagnation in Idomaland, urging the Och’Idoma to provide pragmatic and visionary leadership to restore the people’s pride.
“Agaba-Idu, the situation is dire. This banquet should be the clarion call on you to take up the mantle of purposeful leadership,” he stated. “We cannot continue to be preyed upon like rabbits while endowed with bravery and greatness.”
He proposed the revival of the Idoma Development Foundation (IDF) on the theme “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, stressing that the love of one another must be the bond holding the kingdom together.
Justice Eko cautioned traditional rulers against public quarrels that tarnish the image of the kingdom, referencing recent controversies during the Igede Agba Festival, which, he said, “did no Idoma proud.”
On economic development, he decried the neglect of rich mineral deposits across Idoma land, including limestone in Ado and Oju, gypsum in Umogidi, coal from Owukpa to Adoka, and oil and gas reserves in Okwiji and Agatu.
He challenged Idoma elites and investors to harness these resources and transform the area into a hub of industrial and agricultural activity.
“God helps only those who help themselves,” he declared. “We must bring out the best in our entrepreneurial skills to turn Idoma into a business and industrial hub of Nigeria’s midlands.”
Justice Eko also called for the immortalisation of Idoma heroes such as Ogbu Uloko of Ito and Amanyi Ukwuludo of Ugboju, who resisted colonial rule and defended the fatherland.
He celebrated notable Idoma personalities who made national and international impact — including Dr Edwin Ogbu, Chief Jomo Adapoyi, Chief Andrew Obeya, Chief Morgan Ogbole, and Chief A.O. Onazi — as well as distinguished military figures like Gen. E. Ikwue, Col. A.A. Ochefu, and Maj. Paul Dickson.
In the arts, he praised the contributions of Idoma musical icons such as Bongos Ikwue, Joe Omakwu, TuFace Idibia, Chris Morgan, and Joseph Oche Udeh, describing them as torchbearers of the Idoma spirit.
He paid glowing tribute to recently deceased leaders including Chief Audu Ogbe and Prof. Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, describing them as patriots whose legacies should inspire future generations.
Concluding his address, Justice Eko reaffirmed that the Idoma nation’s destiny rests on unity, visionary leadership, and collective self-belief.
“We only need unity and purposeful leadership to harness our abundant resources,” he said. “Oche ko gb’opu; Opu ko gb’oche.”
