Coronation rites begin for Attah-Igala

The new Attah-Igala, Idakwo Ameh-Oboni, has left Lokoja for Ugwolawo at the beginning of a week-long traditional rites for his coronation. Alhaji Yakubu Yunusa, the Majority Leader of Kogi House of Assembly, disclosed this on Tuesday at the house’s plenary session.

He said the performance of traditional rites for ascension to the throne was mandatory on the new Atta-Igala.

“After spending some days at Ugwolawo, the new Attah-Igala will proceed to Idah on foot to meet the Achadu-Oko-Attah, the traditional husband of Attah, where some aspects of the rites would be performed,’’ Yunusa said.

According to him, the Attah-Igala would then proceed to Ajainah in Idah to identify where he would be interred by the time he had vacated the throne to join his ancestors.

“On completion of the rites, the Attah-Igala will address the Area Traditional Council of Chiefs and thereafter ascend the throne in his palace,’’ he said.

The House Majority Leader enjoined all Igala sons and daughters at home and in diaspora, as well as all Kogi indigenes and Nigerians, to join the people in the celebrations.

“It is the heralding of a new era in the kingdom,’’ he said.

The new Attah-Igala was elected by the four ruling houses out of seven aspirants who contested the seat with him.

The body of kingmakers in November 2012 submitted Idakwo Ameh-Oboni’s name to the Igala Area Traditional Council for ratification after his election.

Chief Abel Etuh, the head of the kingmakers and Etemahi of Igalamela, then issued a statement announcing the election of the Attah designate from among seven contenders.

He said then that the members of the body were unanimous in their choice.

The Attah-Igala seat became vacant on 16 July, 2012 following the demise of Alhaji Aliyu Obaje, after 56 years on the throne.