Kogi residents in Kaduna urge Ododo to recognise Etsu Lokoja stool

• Condemn physical, media attacks on new Etsu Akamisoko

By Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Kogi residents in Kaduna State, under the umbrella of the Niniji Nupe Development Association (NNDA), have appealed to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to recognise the Etsu Lokoja title of the native Nupe of Lokoja without further delay, stating that they are the original owners of Lokoja.

The association also expressed displeasure over recent physical and media attacks by some opposing groups on the Etsu, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, Nyamkpa IV.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Kaduna alongside other officials of the association, the president, Mr Fredrick Nyabam, noted:

“The insinuations surrounding the stool of Etsu Lokoja have become worrisome, and the need to state the obvious has equally become inevitable, especially in the face of the silence of the Kogi State Government, even with the assault on the Etsu Lokoja’s palace, wherein his car was burnt beyond repair and the safety of life and property threatened.

“As a people with a rich history, we wish to state categorically that Lokoja is not a ‘No Man’s Land’. It was founded before the end of the 1700s by Nyamkpa, alias Cheluka, whom some called Eshida—a Nupe warrior who migrated with his army and their families from Gbara, near Bida, in today’s Niger State of Nigeria, after the death of his commander-in-chief, Etsu Jimada, in 1796.

“We wish to make it abundantly clear that even the name ‘Lokoja’ is Nupe, arising from a real-life incident regarding the disappearance of Etsu Nyamkpa’s oracle—‘Luko’—and the circumstances leading to its disappearance, referred to as ‘Dza’. Together, this became ‘Luko-a-dza’, which evolved into ‘Lokoja’.

“The community called Lokoja existed as a Nupe settlement of a specific group whose roots were from Gbara. Interestingly, as a people, we have played host to the British as well as every other ethnic group that resides in our ancient community—Lokoja.

“Furthermore, we make it abundantly clear that HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, is our ‘ETSU LOKOJA’, having been selected through due consultations among the native Nupe of Lokoja. Following his nomination as our consensus candidate, he satisfied all conditions and fulfilled every traditional requirement before being installed as ‘ETSU LOKOJA’ by those with the cultural and traditional authority to do so on 23 January 2024 at the traditional site of Lokoja—Mount Pati. A public reenactment of this installation was celebrated by the native Nupe of Lokoja on 27 July 2024, also at Mount Pati. He did not make himself Etsu Lokoja; we, the native Nupe of Lokoja, unanimously made him so.

“Therefore, we, the leaders of the native Nupe of Lokoja resident in Kaduna and our kith and kin worldwide, under the banner of the Niniji Nupe Development Association, wish to state that we are the original inhabitants of Lokoja.

“Although the Nupe ancestry is vast and different branches exist in Lokoja, only the earliest settlers of the land hold the responsibility of appointing and installing the ETSU LOKOJA.

“We demand fair, equitable, and just treatment, similar to what other ethnic groups in Lokoja enjoy. We also demand inclusion in the affairs and governance of Lokoja.

“We call on His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to grant our request for official government recognition and grading of the long-existing stool of ‘ETSU LOKOJA’, which predates all other stools in Lokoja. This will put an end to the harassment, marginalisation, and intimidation of our people by other ethnic groups.

“Enough is enough of the harassment and intimidation of our people—the native Nupe of Lokoja (by whatever other name we may be called)—as well as our ETSU LOKOJA, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, Nyamkpa IV. Our silence, patience, and tolerance should not be taken for granted. Any attack on our Etsu Lokoja is an attack on all of us—the native Nupe of Lokoja, wherever we may be.

“Henceforth, we wish to be recognised and treated as a distinct, independent, and rational people with the right to cultural and traditional self-determination, free from subjugation. We must be allowed to promote our culture freely without interference from any quarter, directly or indirectly.

“We demand justice regarding the unwarranted attack on the premises of the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, and we appeal to the security agencies not to relent until the perpetrators and their sponsors are brought to justice as a deterrent to prevent future occurrences.

“We will continue to be peaceful, law-abiding, friendly, and accommodating to ensure that harmonious coexistence among all residents of Lokoja is sustained, as we have no other place to call home.

“To this end, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the administration of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as a people solely seeking the well-being and advancement of our community, just as all other ethnic groups do.”