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Cultural Heritage: National Monuments And Sites …The Etsu Nupe’s Palace

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Nigeria has two UNESCO world heritage sites, namely; Sukur Cultural Landscape in Madagali in Adamawa State and Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove in Osun State. There are 65 national monuments and sites managed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Palaces, the residence of traditional rulers are among the fewest documented, yet, they constitute the most visible artefacts that are socially, culturally and politically significant and worthy of historic documentation. A good example is the Etsu Nupe’s palace.
The Etsu Nupe is the traditional title for the most superior Emir of Nupe land. The Etsu Nupe is a first class chief. Nupes are found predominantly in Niger State, which lies in the North Central geo- political zone, signifying the extent of the Emir’s influence. They are also found in Kogi State.
The Etsu Nupe’s palace is located in Bida West in Niger State, along Wuya-Bida Road next to Bida Local Government Secretariat. The Etsu Nupe’s Palace is referred to in local dialect of Hausa as Hakorin Giwa, and Yikan Dagba in the original Nupe language, interpreted in English as elephant’s tusk. It serves administrative, cultural and social purposes. The Etsu Nupe’s palace (Ekan Dagba was constructed in about 1935 by Sarkin Gini Muhammad Egba. Perhaps, Etsu Nupe’s palace, among other traditional palaces holds a rich cultural heritage in the North Central region of Nigeria.
These are the past events that brought about the present and future of the Nupe Emirate which are called ‘Etsu Nupe’.
The ruling family of the Nupes are all sons of Mallam Dendo , out of seven sons, the ruling families are  three in number , namely; Usman Zaki, Mama Saba and Umaru Majigi also known as Ena-Gpyazhi (Dauda 2013). The genealogy began in 1856. Since then, 13 Emirs have reigned successfully, except Etsu Nupe Usaman Sarki who was sent on exile. The reign of each Etsu commences by appointment and is terminated by death. The longest serving Etsu was Etsu Nupe Umaru Sanda Ndayako who reigned for 28 years. The shortest was Etsu Nupe Usman Zaki who reigned for three years. The current Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has been on the throne for 15 years now.
The Hakorin Giwa, a symbol of the Nupe Emirate’s administrative dynasty is significant for its socio-cultural and political activities where major decisions are taken by the Emir and his councils. It serves as Nko, a venue for the royals and title holders converging every Friday to discuss central issues to the Emirate.
The palace occupies about 500 metres. The main entrance has a height of 5ft with the thickness of the wall of 2ft 33″ and the Arch entrance at 4ft 57’. The main entrance has a wooden door panel called “Kpako Cigban”, This is the door to the walk way for the Etsu known as “Dyadya”, and it leads to Etsu Katamba called the sitting room/reception for attending to visitors and his subjects.
Hakorin Giwa like other traditional buildings in the North are glossed by Makuba and Dan Gangaje to smoothen the wall to show the architectural and artistic mastery. The Makuba is also used as an insect repellent. This cultural heritage is a single round palace comprising four rooms and one cell “Katagi” for offenders, two entrances, with one door from the front view. The back view has three Archs with an exit door.
It serves as conference/meeting “Nko”, venue for the royals/title holders on Fridays to discuss the way forward for the Emirate. Among the socio-cultural activities of Hakorin Giwa is the royal marriage of princesses. Both maternal and paternal princess marriage rites are conducted in the Katamba. The union known as Yawo- Gitsu takes place at Shaba Palace. The couple are brought to the Hakorin Giwa at evenings as a mark of royalty heralded by sounds of flutes called Khakati. Other weddings of course take place in the palace but sometimes without royal blessings. Funeral rites known as “Ekunso” and Suna, naming ceremonies all take place in the Hakorin Giwa in the Nupe Emirate.
Customarily, women enter the palace only at dawn before morning prayers to tend to immediate issues. Though, the Emirate holds and recognises the contributions of women to the society in high esteem. The Sagi Nupe and Niwoye are high ranking women who hold titles in the emirate and are restricted to the royal family alone. Soniyan Nupe is one in charge of the market women, the Etsu’s maids and midwife to his wives. The women in their respective designations foster unity and coordinate the affairs of women in the land. These are the women allowed in the Hakorin Giwa. Remarkably, the Nupe nation is known for its historical antecedents of the Nupe reign and has held the Hakorin Giwa, as a significant cultural heritage of the people.
Every nation that has a future has a history and that can be said of the Nupe dynasty. The Nupes hold in high esteem the “Hakorin  Giwa” , which is of great importance for administrative, cultural and social purposes for the ruling class.
Abosede resides in Abuja.

 

Olaniyan Oluwabukola Abosede

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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