By Joseph Edegbo,
Kaduna (Nigeria) – National Igala Christian Elders Forum (NICEF), Chairman Major – General Patrick Akpa (rtd) has said that only persons with sacrificial mind, selflessness, love, courage and humility can aspire to lead the people.
Just as he cited Princess Inikpi, the beloved daughter of Attah Igala who offered herself to be buried alive to save the kingdom from conquer.
Located in Kogi, North Central Nigeria, Igala which is one of the largest ethnic groups in the country has been yearning for one with such qualities whom people could queue behind.
Gen. Patrick Akpa was speaking at the Igala Christian Joint Felllowship with a theme “Power of Agreement” held at the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN) Church Kakuri, Kaduna North West Nigeria.
Gen. Akpa lamented that hunger, poverty, thurgery, kidnapping among others, have taken over Igala land, seeing the criminalities as never been part of the people’s culture.
“Poverty has led the people to engage in what was never in our history. The land is facing danger and people are dying. Thurgery has blossomed. Presently, no political leader in the land. Whoever has money is the leader. Position of Igala in national discourse is weak because of lack of unity to speak with one voice. Human development index in the land, is similar to the North East. The future of our children is in danger and in jeopardy,” he said.
Frowning at the political marginalization of the Igalas, Gen. Akpa noted that the then Igala Native Authority which was second to Kano in terms of revenue generation in the defunct northern region has been regrettably relegated to the background.
Kano, he said, has been split into two states and several local government areas but the Igala land remained static .
Gen. Akpa explained that Igala lost the creation of Okura State due to differences among the elite stressing the need for them to wake up now and speak with one voice to succeed in the task ahead.
He also blamed the absence of tangible investment in the land, on individualistic tendencies despite the abundance natural resources.
“We are enemies of ourselves, since we do not want the progress of each other.”
Quoting Psalm 121, Gen. Akpa said the elders are in covenant with the Almighty God, talking to Him on behalf of the Igala people to avert danger.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/12/02/news/nigerias-unity-hinges-on-justice-fairness-in-governance-says-gov-fayose/
On the activities of Fulani herdsmen, Gen. Akpa who is also the President General of Ukomu Igala (Voice of Igala) a socio-cultural body, said he was still studying the contemptible statement credited to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State directing the co-opting of Fulanis into the traditional institutions in the state.
He described as unfortunate, the killings and destruction of farm crops associated with the activities of herdsmen who are moving about with arms including AK 47 in disregard to the laws of the land which placed the arms under exclusive list.
Contributing, the Coordinator of the National Igala Christian Elders Forum, Kaduna State Chapter and former Secretary General, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), SLS Salifu described Gen. Akpa as the Biblical Jeremiah of our time.
He enjoined the Igalas to forget the past and forgive any leader seen to have offended them and collectively forge ahead for a new dawn.
The Special Fellowship Service featured prayers for unity, traditional rulers, leaders and the development of the land.
This is good. We continue to pray for leaders that have the heart of God and our land(Igala). God strength you.