Ortom asked to rename Benpoly after late Och’Idoma, Ogiri Oko

MOTION CALLING ON THE BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT TO RENAME BENUE STATE POLYTECHNIC UGBOKOLO AS OGIRI OKO POLYTECHNIC UGBOKOLO TO IMMORTALIZE OCHIDOMA 1

BY HON MICHAEL AUDU ( ADOKA/UGBOJU CONSTITUENCY).

THE HOUSE.

Notes. That as a policy , the state Government has the authority to immortalize distinguished citizens of the state by naming streets, institutions , schools and other public facilities after such personalities.

Aware that in 1947, HRH OGIRI OKO was elected as Ochidoma 1, by the twenty – two districts in Idomaland upon the creation of the Idoma Native Authority by the Northern Nigeria Colonial Administration.

Recalls that in post – World war 11 period , HRH OGIRI OKO, Ochidoma 1, implemented programmes and reforms which made Idoma people and Idoma land the center of development within the Lower Northern Nigeria. HRH OGIRI OKO, Ochidoma 1 created the modern day Identity of Idoma people in areas of town planning . He expanded Otukpo, the main town of the Idoma people by dividing Otukpo town into district Neighborhoods, with broad streets.

Further recalls, that HRH OGIRI OKO, OCHIDOMA 1, increased the exposure of Idoma people to Western Education by soliciting the inland movement of missionaries from the Eastern part of Nigeria . He was instrumental to the building of hospitals, tarred roads, telecommunication connectivity and centralized water supply system in Otukpo. He also encouraged increase in commerce by creating district markets in Idoma land.

Observes that HRH OGIRI OKO in his capacity as Ochidoma 1, was a member of the Northern House of Chiefs until his death in 1960.

Resolves that the State Government rename Benue state Polytechnic Ugbokolo as ” OGIRI OKO POLYTECHNIC, UGBOKOLO” to immortalize HRH OGIRI OKO OCHIDOMA 1, for his purposeful leadership to Idoma nation.