Idoma can produce Benue governor if we recognise our strength – Agaba Ikwue

Founder of the Idoma Hall of Fame, Engr Agaba Ikwue, has said the Idoma people possess the capacity, achievements and human resources required to produce a governor of Benue State if they recognise and harness their collective strength.

Ikwue stated this while speaking during the Idoma Centenary Plus Lecture in Otukpo, Benue State.

According to him, the Idoma nation has made enormous contributions to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria, yet continues to underestimate its own potential.

“We have achieved so much, but every day we talk about the Idoma not being able to produce a governor. If we can achieve this much, then I don’t think that should be an issue any longer. It is for us to demonstrate to the world who we are and what we are capable of,” he said.

Ikwue noted that many of the achievements of prominent Idoma sons and daughters remain unknown even among the people, stressing the need to document and preserve the history of the ethnic nationality.

He explained that the Idoma Hall of Fame was established to celebrate excellence among Idoma people, document their accomplishments and inspire future generations.

“The Idoma Hall of Fame was set up to celebrate Idoma excellence, document and preserve it for the purpose of inspiring future generations,” he said.

The businessman and philanthropist said the initiative was inspired by his growing appreciation of ethnic identity and cultural heritage.

He recalled that despite being married to an Edo woman and having three children, none of them speaks the Edo language, a situation he said made him realise the importance of preserving cultural identity.

“As I grow older, I begin to understand the importance of ethnic identity because that is who you are and that is how you are remembered,” he stated.

Ikwue highlighted some of the remarkable accomplishments of Idoma people, including pioneering educational and professional milestones in Benue State and beyond.

He lamented that many of these achievements are neither documented nor celebrated, leading to a poor appreciation of the contributions of the Idoma people to national development.

To address this challenge, he disclosed that the Idoma Hall of Fame had secured a facility at the popular basketball court in Otukpo, which is currently being transformed into a museum and hall of fame dedicated to preserving Idoma history and cultural heritage.

According to him, the facility is expected to be commissioned before the end of the year.

As part of his support for the project, Ikwue announced a donation of N2 million during the launch of the magazine to facilitate the acquisition of copies for the library and museum.

He expressed optimism that the project would help promote Idoma history, celebrate excellence and inspire a new generation of leaders capable of advancing the interests of the people.