‘We’re only merging Idoma and Igede colours, no plan to change Idoma attire’ – Och’Idoma

The paramount ruler of Idoma nation, HRM Elaigwu Odogbo Obbagaji (Och’Idoma V), has reacted to the controversy trailing his purported move to change the cultural identity of the Idoma people.

IDOMA VOICE recalls that the monarch had during his speech at the just-concluded Idoma Association USA Convention had proposed that the red and black cultural attire of the Idoma people be changed.

The royal father had proposed that the Blue, white and black colours of the Igede people.

The proposal was greeted with massive rejection as some youths vowed to stage a protest if the monarch failed to rescind his decision.

However, the Och’Idoma, while receiving in audience a section of Idoma Youths In His Temporary Palace In Otukpo on Tuesday, said, they were only merging the two cultural identities and he’s in no way planning to alter them.

Onuminya Samuel Odoba, Media Aide to the Och’Idoma V, quoted the monarch as cautioninng the youths to shun peddlers of fake news and merchants of mischief who are ready to spread unsubstantiated falsehood in a bid to create disharmony in our body polity.

Agaba-Idu stressed that “there is no plan in place to change or remove the traditional colours and/or alter them in any way and that the Idoma Traditional Area Council comprising the nine local government areas of Benue South is only fusing the two distinct attire of the Igedes and Idomas to signify a united front – OPIATOHA.

“In that regard, the Idoma Red & Black attire remains sacrosanct as well as the Blue, White & Black of the Igedes. We are at liberty to use any of the attire at any time.

“The only interest His Majesty has is to demonstrably posit the Idoma nation as a United House, and He calls on all well-meaning sons and daughters of Idoma to join hands with Him in that regard.”