Herdsman gets 2 years sentence for grazing

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a herdsman, Ali Haruna, to two years imprisonment for grazing his cows in a farmland in Ado-Ekiti. The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, in his judgement, said the accused was arraigned in his court on Jan 22, 2016 on a two-count charge of willful and unlawful damage of farm crops at Ago Aduloju in Ado-Ekiti. The 18-year-old Mr. Haruna was confirmed by the four prosecuting witnesses to have been caught in the midnight grazing his cow in the farm belonging to Abdulahi Yaho and Bello Mohammed. The cash crops said to have destroyed by the cows in the farm included cassava, maize, okro and pepper, all valued at N3 million. The defendant told the court that the owner of the cows lived in Ilorin, Kwara. The magistrate said the court did not believe Mr. Haruna’s defence as it was not credible. He held that the Police prosecutor, Olasunkanmi Bankole, had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt. He thereby convicted the defendant as charged without option of fine. The magistrate ordered that the sentence should run concurrently, explaining that the term was minimal because the offence was committed before the Grazing Law was promulgated in the state. The Ekiti State government recently outlawed the grazing of livestock in open areas without permission. Defaulters face sentences and fines. The defence counsel, Chris Omokhafe, had prayed the court to be liberal in the dispensation of justice, saying that he was a first offender. WHERE IS GOVERNOR OTOM OF BENUE STATE…..

Bloody Benue robbery: Leader of Sengev gang killed, 3 arrested

Less than 72 hours after an eight months old baby, her sibling, mother and 10 others were killed in a bloody robbery attack in Sengev near Gbishe, Katsina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, and operatives of the state’s Joint Security Task Force have killed two members of the robbery gang, including its leader, Atondo Bya. Three others, suspected to be members of the gang, were also arrested by the Task Force for questioning, while a Honda car with number plates GBG315AA was recovered from the gang. Parading the suspects, yesterday, at the Command’s Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama, said: “Atondo Bya, who was killed in the operation, actually led the robbery onslaught on Sengev where an eight months old baby, including his eight-year-old sibling, mother and 10 others were killed. “He is an associate and accomplice of the wanted militia leader, Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana. We found on him military camouflage, charms, different car number plates, and dangerous weapons. “What you are seeing is a continuation of our war against criminality and we are taking the fight to the criminals because the number of deaths and pains these gangs have inflicted on the people is unimaginable. “So far, we are taking our time in our search for them, including Gana, because we are avoiding the loss of innocent live in the operation. But we will surely smoke them out.” Power generator ‘stolen’ Also paraded was one Patrick Uchenna, who was nabbed in Makurdi by security operatives for allegedly attempting to convey two stolen Lister power generators from Makurdi to Jos. According to the Police Commissioner, “he claimed he and the driver of the J5 vehicle were called in from Mararaba in Nasarawa State to Makurdi by one Prince to convey the generators to Jos. “They could neither produce the said Prince nor the receipts with which the generators were bought. We are also investigating their activities.”

Nigerian troops rescue 43 kidnapped people, recover 500 cows from Boko Haram – Official

The Nigerian military has rescued 43 abducted persons and recovered 500 cows from fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in Mafa. The military operation for the mission occurred Sunday morning after eight suspected Boko Haram terrorists abducted some cattle rearers and livestock at gunpoint at Dalakalari general area, Mafa Local Government Area. Some well-meaning people informed the military who swung into action and pursued the terrorists. The terrorists, sensing danger, ran and abandoned the livestock just before Panamri village and ran away. The troops were able to rescue 43 persons and 500 cows taken by the terrorists. The victims and the recovered cows have been handed over to the local authorities.

Comrade Johnson Agada charges parents to pass cultural values to their ward

The chairman Mannex production and organizer of Ogbadibo cultural carnival has emphasized the need for parents to pass the cultural values of the Idoma tribe to their wards in order to preserve the tradition of unity and social cohesion taught by cultural events taught by our forefathers. Agada whose company, Mannex production, has sponsored so many event over the years as part of its Heritage Series. He reiterated that unless parents took it upon themselves to propagate the values behind the cultural events, the next generation may consider the carnival fetish and thereby jettison them. He disclosed that the theme of this year’s celebration is curbing social menace in society through cultural celebration and celebrating our cultural heritage in other to succinctly captures the societal relevance of the CARNIVAL within the current milieu as well as a common resolve to ensure that it is cascaded to the next generation as a source of pride and honour for the Ogbadibo people and Idoma race.

The entertainment mogul and culture enthusiast recalled that “Over the years, Ogbadibo has remained not only a point of crystallization and social re-engineering; it is as well an avenue for the constellation of ideas and initiatives that are geared towards prompting the growth of the society and the wellness of its people”. He however declared that unless the next generation understood the essence of the carnival, it would soon become moribund especially in the event of the growing penchant for Western cultures by the Idoma youth. According to him, Ogbadibo cultural carnival is going to be an exhibition platform to display the cultural wealth of the people and the values that unite them and has assumed the role of a social melting pot where all divergent issues affecting the lives of the people are processed, congealed and digested and where the sons and daughters of Idomaland both home and abroad are mindful of their collective responsibility as active players in the socio-economic growth of the geographical space known as Idomaland. Comrade Agada consistent support for the carnival which has been of immeasurable value to the rapidly growing stature of the event, Agada further enthused that the Ogbadibo people had played significant roles in the social, political and economic history of Benue State.

More on the history of the Igede people of Benue....

According to oral tradition, the Igede people are said to have migrated from somewhere around the Niger Delta. They live in their present location in Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State. The Igede is one of the ethnic nationalities that make up the Middle Belt of Nigeria. The other ethnic nationalities include Idoma, Igala, Etulo, Tiv, Rindere, Ngas, Eggon, Zagon Katarf, Alogo, Berom, Mada, Izere, Ibira, among others.

Igede Agba masquerade The Igede people share common boundaries with the Idoma, Tiv, the Ogoja people of Cross River State and the Izzis of Anambra State. The Igede people are predominantly farmers.

Traditional institution The traditional head of the Igede people used to be called Ad’Utuuntil the passing of Chief Ikande Idikwu. After his death, there was crisis over the succession to the throne. At a point, state government, as of restoring peace in the land and temporarily solve the dispute over the seat, created the Ad’Oju and Ad’Obichieftaincy stools. These stools are neither classified as First Class nor Second Class, but the occupants merely assist the Och’Idoma, who is the paramount ruler of all Idoma people, including the Igede. Currently, Augustine Egbere Ogbu is the Ad’Oju, while the Ad’Obi is Chief Cyril Okwute. However, there is an ongoing agitation for a First Class Igede Chieftaincy stool and the people are gearing up to mount pressure on the incoming state administration for the upgrading of Igede chieftaincy stool to a First Class Chief.

New Yam Festival Like the Igbo, Igede people celebrate the annual New Yam festival, called Igede Agba. For its significance, Igede Agba is a cultural event, which comes up every first week of September. It marks the end of one planting season, when the people in very rich cultural displaying activities, give thanks to the gods for good harvest, and welcome a new planting season. Traditional dancing and masquerades are also featured to add cultural value to the festival and every Igede son and daughter takes part in this ceremony. Burials One notable aspect of the people’s tradition strongly held onto this day has to do with the burial of indigenes’ corpses in a special forest. Corpses of people who are killed in accidents or during a war are regarded as special and are never buried anywhere near the home, but in an evil forest. After or before burial of such a corpse, certain rites are performed to appease the gods of the ancestors. People of questionable characters are also buries in the evil forest. Warding off witches and wizards Igede people have what is called the Akpan. It is a kind of men’s society, ostensibly organised culturally to ward off witches and wizards from their homes. Before a new yam is deemed to have matured for harvest or ever eaten, members of the Akpansociety must first perform their rites. Until that is done, any one or family who prematurely harvests or eats the new yam or buys it from another tribe’s market and brings it home, is deemed to have committed a taboo and is usually made to pay the fine of a goat, and such items. Failure to pay the fines attracts indescribable sorts of sickness and misfortune upon the offenders.

Marriage The Igede people practice both traditional and church wedding. Sometimes, traditional marriage supersedes in cases when couples are not rich enough to afford the luxury of white wedding. Thus, traditional marriage is essentials. The process can begin either when a male child, who feels he is mature for marriage, sites a girl or woman he likes. The process can also begin when the man’s father or any of their relatives, friends, or neither think they have found a young woman they like for the man to take home as wife. If the man likes the girl, his parents immediately go formally with kolanuts to the girl’s parents to seek their child’s hands in marriage. If the girl consents to it, negotiation as to the bride price to be paid is made. In Igede, once the bride price is named and agreed to by the suitor, marriage preparations follows. It does not matter whether bride price is completely paid at or not paid at all, the couple are allowed to go ahead and get married and the suitor has the leeway under the tradition. Interview with Chief Ode Ochi The Chairman of the Middle Belt Traditional Council (MBTC) in the South West Nigeria, Amb. Ochi Emmanuel Ode, the Ojikpururu 1 of Ibilla, Oju, Benue State, is a prominent Igede man. From his base in Lagos, he oversees the affairs of people of Middle Belt in the South West states. An Igede High Chief, he holds the people’s customs and tradition in high esteem, as he shows in this encounter with this reporter.

On core values Ochi Ode said: “Igede as a people, their core value is integrity. Igede is the third ethnic nationality in Benue State. We also have the Tivs, Idoma and Etulo. Among the tribes that constitute Benue State, ask what they consider the core value of an Igede person, they will not waste time to mention integrity. That is why in Igede today, if you misplace you handset and a typical Igede man finds it, he will not take it for use. He will announce to all that he found a misplaced handset, or even money, for the owner to claim it. “In Igede we don’t celebrate success that has no roots. That is why we don’t honour riches that do not have a clear bearing. People celebrate your success when the source is clearly ascertained. No matter how infuential you are, you are not recongised if people do not know your source of success.”

On celebration of death: Ochi Ode stated: “Death is celebrated in Igede with a lot honour, especially if you lived clean and your life is based on integrity. That cannot be said of a pewrson whose wealth has question mark. “Such a person’s death is treated with ignominy. There is no gun shots, no singing, no dancing, no celebration. Such a person is buried in a forest designated for such people. Such a death and burial is not announced.” On the notion that Igede youths serve as house helps: The High Chief said it is true. But he said that the practice has something to do with what he said about integrity. “Like in the western world, between 20 and years, you hardly have money. You are regarded as a man under the tutelage of parents. But, with civilisation, people go out to make money any how. “But a typical Igede man does not easily go out to work under people make a living. So, people go out to make a living. An Igede man cannot sacrifice a child or relation for money ritual. So, a typical Igede man is a peasant farmer and depends on his sweat and does not live on easy money. “Holding to this core value of integrity seems to be a disadvantage to an Igede man. But, it is a disadvantage with honour. That is why you see many of them as house helps. “But now, things are changing. People are now helping others to succeed. For instance, I have a Foundation which assists Igede sons and daughters, sponsoring people up to tertiary institutions. Some other people too are helping indigent students. When they come up, they will help others. “My advice to some well-to-do Igede sons and daughters, who have not been helping others, should wake up and take it upon themselves to help others. Those who are helping are not doing it for personal gains or even for rewards from God, but to ensure that our people develop and improve.” The Ibilla Town Hall Meeting As a High Chief of Ibilla in Igede, Chief Ode hosts a periodic Ibilla Town Hall meeting during which socio-political issues affecting the people and communities and area are resolved. What is the state of the that Forum? His response: “This is an issue of leadership. Issues of leadership are involving ones that are seen to be done on daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis. If a leadership is stagnant, there will not be growth. A leader must have dreams of how to improve. “Leadership is a continues process of doing things, rebranding and reinvigorating. Today, you call a town hall meeting. If the method used attracts continues followership, you continue to apply that system. But, if not, you change to another method. “When we started the town hall meeting some years ago, the repose was encouraging. But at a time, we observed that attendance started to decrease and we started to ask questions. A leader must always ask questions like: ‘What?’ ‘Why?’ ‘How?’ “When you find answers to these important questions, you have arrived at a solution. If you can’t find answers to these questions, you are no longer a leader. That is how to keep the followers in constant zeal and hope in believing in what you are doing. “A leader must explain the goals and objectives of what he is doing. Once this done, the people will stand by you. That is what we are doing as far as the Ibilla Town Hall Meeting is concerned. We are restructuring and rebranding. Very soon, it will bounce back.”

Ogbadibo Carnival will promotes cultural heritage

The role that the Ogbadibo Carnival will play in tourism and cultural development of the state and the country will be massive. According to the organizer Comrade Johnson Agada, the carnival was borne out of the desire to provide the needed support to the people in preserving and projecting the ogbadibo culture and values. This, he said in a statement, would further put the Carnival on the international pedestal as well as galvanise its potential to generate revenue for the state, local government and engender bonding within the three district that makes up the local government “We strongly believe in the ideals of the Ogbadibo Carnival. We have watched with keen interest the passion with which the state government, community and local government has continued to celebrate there people’s culture and values and so the best way to celebrate our people and to bring back the loss glory of the land is to celebrate ourselves and enlighten the people about their lack of knowledge in the customs, norms and tradition of their father land.. He further explained that the Carnival will provides a platform for all district to showcase their and the people in general, that the whole street of Ogbadibo wil be flooded with colours and dancers, Comrade Agada who assured that the carnival would strengthen all sons and daughters of Ogbadibo local government of its participation in the project, maintained that everybody would become a strong pillar behind the yearly event. With time, the Ogbadibo cultural carnival will be the largest cultural carnival because the carnival was created as part of the vision to make Benue State the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists across the world.

Ogbadibo Cultural Carnival: A Must-See Benue state Street Festival

Ogbadibo cultural carnival is most definitely a must see Benue state street festival. It will be Known as ‘Benue biggest street party’ is going to an annual celebration which focuses on African heritage – music, drama, dance and colorful display of costumes and makeup. A little background history on Ogbadibo Ogbadibo local government was created in 1991 and is made up of three districts, Otukpa, Orokam and Owukpa with Otukpa as headquarters, the local government derives its name from Ogbadibo stream which flows through the area. Ogbadibo local government area is bordered by Okpokwu local government area to the east, Olamabioro local government area of Kogi State to the north, Udenu and Igbo – Eze north local government area of Enugu State to the west and Isi –Uzo local government area of Enugu state to the south. The people of Ogbadibo local government area are predominantly farmers with cassava, millet, palm wine and palm oil produced in commercial quantities. This means the markets in the area are usually busy with traders from other parts of Benue state as well as neighboring state. There are large col and Karoline deposits in Owukpa and Orokam respectively. Different opportunities are currently being explored to recommence mining of the Owukpa deposits which was suspended in the past due to economic downturn. The people of Ogbadibo local government area predominantly speak a dialect of idoma language. Each year the festival will go from strength to strength and from one district to the other, this year’s carnival is pegged to be great according to the organizer, Comrade Johnson Agada whose dream is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. Why you should visit Ogbadibo during the carnival

This spectacular carnival will feature a very popular and international artist. The carnival is going to be world famous come December.

Tips on getting through this fantastic festival in one peace The festival is a 3 day affair running from the 26th to 28th of December so for some this may end up being a real test for endurance more than anything else. If you are one of those whose only exercise consists of walking to the car or lifting a beer can from out of the fridge you are going to need to pace yourself. Be prepared for a lot of walking; this is a month long street carnival not a 90 minute sit down committee meeting. Make sure you have appropriate footwear, no steel caps, no high heels or you will find your feet in excruciating pain at the end of the day. Stay hydrated: with all the attractions and trekking around you will ultimately be doing you will quickly find your bodies water supply depleted. Always have water on hand or at least some money to buy some if necessary you don’t want to collapse and find yourself on a hospital bed. It’s a shame that with all the cultural excitement and togetherness in events like this festival there will always be a few rotten apples lurking around. Make sure you consciously take care of your belongings, keep them tucked away safely and don’t become the target of pic pockets who always ‘ply their trade’ at times like these. If you are a person looking for the peaceful and serene side of ogbadibo of which this city is blessed with quite a few these is not the season to go looking for them. Half way through the year is better not in December take my word for it, carnival go’ers and tourists will be everywhere.

If you need to get more information on this special event, please let us know. The ogbadibo carnival will prove that everything in Ogbadibo local government and Benue state is indeed great, including carnivals.