Youths threaten protest as Och’Idoma moves to change Idoma cultural attire

Idoma youths, under the aegis of Idoma Cultural and Progressives Movement, have vowed to stage a protest against the proposal by the new paramount ruler of Idoma land, HRM Elaigwu Odogbo to change the Idoma traditional colours.

The monarch, a pastor with Deeper Life Bible Church had during an event in the US proposed that the red and black Idoma cultural attire be modified.

The royal father was said to have proposed a new attire to include the blue, black and white attire of the Igede speaking people of Oju and Obi.

This, however, did not go down well with many Idoma natives, who outrightly rejected the proposal.

They warned the monarch not to tamper with an age-long tradition which is older than him.

A statement on Friday, Adikwu Sunday, Coordinator of the movement and obtained by IDOMA VOICE, said the decision would be greeted with a massive protest if not rescinded.

He said, “We call on His Royal Majesty to quickly and respectfully swallow what he said in the faraway US.

“Making such a proposal in a faraway foreing land is an insult to the throne he occupies and his subjects.

“We had made findings and observed that the monarch never consulted the 22 beaded chiefs across Benue South before making such a pronouncement. This is not supposed to be so.

“We members of the Idoma Cultural Movement, which cut across the entire Benue South demand that the decision be buried.

“Idoma tradition can not be changed. This was an agelong culture before his appointment as the Och’Idoma and this cannot be changed.”