Och’Idoma Inaugurates Centenary Boards Ahead of Idoma Division Celebration

The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo John, on Friday inaugurated the Elders Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees for the Idoma Division Centenary Plus Celebration 2026, setting in motion preparations for the milestone event. The inauguration took place at the Och’Idoma Palace in Otukpo, marking 103 years since the establishment of the […]

The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo John, on Friday inaugurated the Elders Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees for the Idoma Division Centenary Plus Celebration 2026, setting in motion preparations for the milestone event.

The inauguration took place at the Och’Idoma Palace in Otukpo, marking 103 years since the establishment of the Idoma Division in 1923, which brought together the Idoma, Igede, Ufia and Akweya communities under a common administrative and cultural framework.

Speaking at the ceremony, the monarch described the Centenary as a moment of reflection and planning for the future of the Idoma people. He announced the theme of the celebration as “Honouring Our Idoma Century, Advancing Benue South.”

He said activities planned for the year-long programme include cultural exhibitions, academic conferences, youth and women engagements, faith-based dialogues, investment forums, sports and creative showcases, as well as diaspora homecoming events.

The Elders Advisory Board was inaugurated with HRH Engr. Edeh George as Chairman, Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko, JSC (Rtd) as Co-Chairman, and Mr. Uloko Adegbe as Secretary. The Board is made up of 14 members and is expected to provide guidance and cultural oversight for the celebration.

Responding on behalf of the board, Engr. Edeh pledged that the members would discharge their duties with commitment and integrity. Justice Eko also assured that the board would operate with fairness and respect for Idoma values and history.

The monarch also inaugurated the Board of Trustees, which will serve as the policy and oversight body for the Centenary. Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu was named Chairman, Chief Ogbile Emmanuel as Co-Chairman, and Chief Dr. Paul Samuel Edeh as Secretary. The 27-member board includes representatives from traditional institutions, government, professional groups, youth, women, academia and the Idoma diaspora.

The Och’Idoma charged the trustees to ensure transparency, effective resource mobilisation and the successful delivery of key programmes, including the Idoma Cultural Festival scheduled for December 23, 2026, and the development of the Och’Idoma Square as a centre for Idoma cultural life.

Speaking on behalf of the trustees, Prof. Ochefu said the board would work to deliver lasting outcomes, including historical documentation, a centenary conference and a documentary on the Idoma people.

The monarch urged all stakeholders to work together in unity to make the Centenary a success, expressing hope that the celebration would strengthen identity, heritage and development in Benue South.