Popular Idoma chieftaincy titles, their meanings and the title holders

Among the Idoma people of Nigeria, the greatness of a man is reflected by the title bestowed on him. In bygone days, chieftaincy titles were mostly derived from the heroics of killing a wild animal. Thus, a man who killed a leopard/tiger, for instance, earned the title Onmeje while Onmakpo is reserved for one who killed a buffalo and the slayer of an elephant took the title of Onmeyi.

A lion killer was honoured with Onmojiji and warriors who took human scalps from battles are decorated with the prestigious title of Ogbu.

In contemporary Idoma society, chieftaincy titles, often conferred with the approval of the Och’Idoma, are determined by striking achievements of the recipients, i.e. extraordinary contribution to the advancement of the Idoma race.

IDOMA VOICE bring you some popular chieftaincy titles in Idomaland in modern time:

AGABA’IDU

Agaba’Idu, meaning “the fearless lion,” is the default title and royal salutation of all Kwararafa kings.

The title, about the lion as the king of the jungle, is the exclusive preserve of the Och’Idoma, the paramount ruler of Idoma kingdom.

It is equivalent to the highest Nigerian national honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

The current Agaba’idu K’Idoma is Chief Dr Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, Och’Idoma IV.

OKPOKPOWULU

Okpokpowulu is a modern chieftaincy title coined by the Och’Idoma to decorate former Senate President, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, in recognition of his political exploits and legacies.

The title, which translates to “the bulldozer” is slightly above the Nigerian national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).

Senator Mark had a distinguished military career and served as the military governor of Niger State and federal Minister of Communication.

He was instrumental to the establishment of the Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo (first of its kind in Nigeria and in West Africa). To him, also, goes the credit for the construction of the Oweto-Loko bridge/Otukpo-Oweto/Loko-Abuja superhighway, among other numerous achievements.

OGIGO  MEBE

Ogigo Mebe is a very strategic title in Idoma, awarded only to pacesetters and pioneers.

The rare nature of the title makes it a one-in-a-community kind of title.

Ogigo means “mirror.” The titleholder, a symbolic representation of the Idoma community, reflects the virtues and values of the community. He brings development to his community.

Sen. Abba Patrick Moro, who represents Benue South at the National Assembly, is the Ogigo Mebe K’Idoma and has not been found wanting. He was the first Idoma to become the Chairman of Council of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

During his days as Minister of Interior, he facilitated the employment of hundreds of Idoma youths in every branch of the Nigerian paramilitary service.

OCHAGWU

Ochagwu, one of the most revered Idoma chieftaincy titles, is similar to the Belgian national honorary order of knighthood, the Order of Leopold, named in honour of its first royalty, King Leopold I.

Ochagwu— “the mighty man of valour”—is the chieftaincy bestowed on the former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Obekpa Lawani.

A philanthropist and thoroughbred politician, Lawani was the National Deputy Chairman of National Republican Convention (NRC).

In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

ENEWA

Enewa is a very important and influential Idoma chieftaincy title for women of rare calibre. Enewa translates to “Mother of the nation” or “Mother of all”.

It is bestowed on powerful women and wives of great leaders. It is also a honorary for charity works and philanthropic service.

The Enewa K’Idoma is the wife of the Okpokpowulu K’Idoma, Sen. David Mark, Chief Mrs. Helen Mark.

Mrs. Mark in her capacity as the wife of the Senate President gave a lot of employments to Idoma youths. She also empowered several Idoma women through her skill acquisition programmes, and grants for small and medium scale trades.

OFYANYA

Ofyanya is the Idoma chieftaincy for women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavours. It is the next significant women title in Idoma after Ochanya, the default title for the queen and wife of the paramount ruler.

Consider it the Idoma version of the BBC Woman Of The Year/Decade or Forbes Most Powerful Woman.

The Ofyanya K’Idoma, Chief Mrs. Blessing Onuh (Nee Mark) is the Honorable Member representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The daughter of political juggernaut, David Mark, Blessing Onuh is renowned as a philanthropist and a great mobilizer of women and youths. She is the creator of Otukpo Got Talent, and Miss Otukpo kids’ pageant.

AKANABA

“pillar”—is the title conferred on individuals who are regarded as pillars of the society. It is to Idoma what Aare Ona Kakanfo (Generalissimo) is to the Yoruba. He is the defender of the kingdom and Idoma´s symbol of unity.

Former Nigeria´s defacto minister of defence (Perm Sec), Chief Mike Okibe Onoja is the Akanaba K’Idoma. He is an outstanding politician and a renowned philanthropist, a community builder and reconciliator. He has supported many Idoma youths in cash and kind.

OKENO

Okeno is in the upper cadre of Idoma chieftaincy titles. It means “umbrella” but figuratively, the title translates to “Glory” and is conferred on men who brought glory to their kingdom. It is the equivalent of  “Hero of the Republic,” which was the highest award of the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea until the Order of Kim Il-Sung was established in 1972. It is awarded for extreme heroic exploits during the war.

The Okeno K’Idoma is Gen. Chris Abutu Garuba (rtd), a former military governor of Bauchi State and former Commander of UN forces in Angola. He has attracted some level of development to his country home of Ipole Otukpa. It is widely believed that he was instrumental to the creation of Ogbadibo Local Government Area from old Okpokpokwu.

OYAME/OYACHABA/OJOTUYELA

Oyame, Oyame, Oyachaba or Ojotuyela is a chieftaincy title bestowed mostly on individuals with giant strides in philanthropy. Consider it the equivalent of the British order of chivalry, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE, which rewards contributions to the arts and sciences, and exemplary works of charitable and welfare organisations, and meritorious public service, outside the civil service.

In this light,   Oyame, “The overdoer,” is conferred on renowned philanthropists, distinguished public and civil servants.

Idoma has a handful of Oyame chieftains across the kingdom, including:

Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), the Oyame K’Idekpa, the former military governor of Katsina and Plateau states. He was third in command in the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha. He is widely credited for the creation of Ohimini and other local government areas in Idomaland.

Prof. Dickson Akor, the Oyachaba K’Idoma. He is the founder and General Commandant of Nigeria Peace Corps. The Ugboju-born philanthropist has awarded scholarships to a lot of Idoma students, in addition to providing gainful employment for thousands of Nigerian youths through the Peace Corps. He is the proprietor of Ambassador Resort Ugboju.

Dr Mathias Oyigeya, the Oyame of Efekwo, is the first Nigerian of Idoma extraction to become the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Makurdi. His outstanding performance warmed the hearts of many Benue people who pressured him into contesting the 2015 governorship election in the state, though he lost at the PDP primaries.

He gave employment to a lot of Idoma and Benue youths, especially those of his hometown, Efekwo. He brought the FMC, Makurdi outreach centre to Efekwo.

Also, General Geoffrey Ejiga is the Ogbenjuwa K’Idoma (war leader) while Chief Sylvanus Elagbaje is the Ochagwuba K’Idoma

OGAJI

Ogaji is a very powerful and strategic chieftaincy title in Idomaland.

It is usually bestowed on young and vibrant leaders.

Ogaji translates to “Young warrior” or “Youth Leader”.

The Ogaji K’Idoma is Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji.

Hon. Adaji is a renowned philanthropist and vibrant politician.

He is the immediate past Federal House of Representative Member representing Otukpo/Ohimini.

He has empowered so many Idoma youths through his magnanimity.

He also gave scholarships to students, as well as financial grants to artisans in his constituency.

OGAKWU

Ogakwu is a mighty title in Idomaland.

It is bestowed on men of great calibre.

It is equivalent of the Igbo title of “Ikemba”. The one held by the last Biafra war lord, Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

Ogakwu translates to “The Mighty One” or “Strength of the people”.

The Ogakwu K’Idoma is High Chief Denise Ekpe Ogbu.

Chief Ogbu is a people oriented politician, philanthropist and community builder. He is a High Chief of Ufia Utunkun.

He is currently the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

He has used his position to help many Idoma youths especially his Ufia clan.

He is a great force in Ado politics, Idomaland at large.

OSONYETA

Osonyeta—”the Saviour of the people”—a chieftaincy that bequeathed to the field of health, is an equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Medicine. It was the title conferred on the late Dr Edwin Obeh Idoko, the first medical doctor from the middle belt region of Nigeria.

Obeh earned the title because of his meritorious service to the health sector in Idomaland. His private health facility, Salem Hospital was a place where many pregnantIdoma women were delivered of their babies for two decades, from the late 1970s to 1990s.

EJEKWOTE

Ejekwote is a military chieftaincy title. Its translation:  Fearless battle-ready leopard.

Bestowed on emancipators of people, and social mobilizers, its equivalent is the modern day´ś activists and social crusaders.

The last known bearer of the title was the late Chief Isaac Odu, the Ogigo Mebe K’Owukpa. A fearless voice of the voiceless, memories of his legendary feats are evergreen in the lore of Owukpa, his clan, and in Idomaland at large.

OKWOLEBI

Okwolebi is one of the grand chieftaincy titles in Idoma kingdom. It is bestowed on men of military background or great influence.

Okwolebi means “The unifier”, “harmonizer”,  and “consolidator”.

The Okwolebi K’Idoma is Air-Vice Marshal Emmanuel Ejeh (rtd).

AVM Emmanuel Ejeh (rtd) is former comandant Armed Force Command and Staff College Jaji.

While in the military, he felicitated the recruitment of many Idoma youths into the Nigerian Airforce.

OJEBO

Ojebo is an important and strategic chieftaincy title in Idoma land.

It is bestowed on men of great influence and affluence. It is equivalent to Nobel Peace Prize.

Ojebo means “The Peacemaker”, “reconciler” and “mediator”.

The Ojebo K’Idoma is Chief Sylvester Ameh.

Chief Ameh is a member of the Board of the Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, Benin.

He has used his office and influence to provide jobs for a lot of Idoma youths, in addition to his philanthropic services to the people.