The moment his car eased to a stop at the Asa 3 Village Square in Akpegede area of Otukpo LG, the chorus of ‘Anything you do na Godwin, Godwin, na Godwin o’ rented the air.
Women, children and youth tumbled in ecstasies. A new day has come. The warrior is back.
The occasion was not a concert in honour of Mavin Records wonder kid, Korede Bello, neither was it a yuletide party.
Rather, it was the return of a fearless warrior. A man, who fought against injustice and oppression in the land. The man, who went to the jungle, confronted the lion, pulled off its furs and relegated him from being the king of the jungle to the king of grumble.
It was the return of Chief Godwin Ogbole Owoicho Acha after a self-imposed exile in God’s Own country.
The name, Rev Jay, as Chief Godwin if fondly called is an anthem in Akpegede community.
He is known for his heroic did when a popular politician from the community wanted to grab the land of his people. He stood and single-handedly won the battle.
However, this proud son of Idoma got more than he bargained for following his victory over injustice as a political monarch in Idoma kingdom came after him and wanted his head chopped off. Wisdom, they say is profitable to direct, Chief Acha fled home when the home front became unbearable for him.
He recalled with pride how he conquered the lion during the epoch-making event, “They came to snatch our land from us but the gods of the land were behind us. Have you removed the pillars they mounted on your farmland?, the crowd chorus ‘yes’ in excitement. Go back to your farms, no one will and can never chase you away from what belongs to you. I remember the day they sent bulldozer to bulldoze our land, I stood in front of the vehicle and told the driver, it is either you kill me or you leave. Our youths were solidly ready to pull down heaven that day. That was how we won. They came after me but my God was/is stronger than theirs. Today, I am proud to say we have won the battle forever.”
While in far away United States, his heart was in a hamlet called Asa in Benue community.
Irked by the political enaibobo back home, Chief Acha, the son a retired military warlord from thee famous Acha dynasty returned home few months ago to redefine grassroots politics.
“I took a vacation but I am back now. I it is time to make our land great again. Our youths need to see beyond thuggery. Idoma land is about to witness a new era,” he said amid applause.
Is Chief Godwin eyeing any political seat? ‘no’, he said, “you must not hold any political office before you change your world. Of course I am a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress but for now, I have no ambition yet. Maybe in the future, but now, all I want is to give this land a new hope, dream and change.”
Addressing the youth during thee event, outspoken Chief Godwin warned them never to allow any politician use them to ferment trouble for their selfish interest, ‘’they will end ruining your life. Don’t allow anyone use you to cause unrest in our land. Without them, we can make it,” he warned them repeatedly.
Like the proverbial akpandede, natives of the land mounted the podium one after the other to eulogize this great warrior who won back the glory of the land.
They all prayed God to grant Rev Jay long life for them.
Watch out for his revealing interview in the next edition of IDOMA VOICE
For Advert: Call 08171607004, 09058228464 Follow us on Twitter @idomavoice, @idomanews Send us releases at idomavoice@gmail.com
Treasure Orokpo
A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.
