TheCable

James Opaluwa, the Attah of Igalaland, has asked prominent indigenes of the kingdom to use their network to develop the Kogi East senatorial district.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive committee members of Uk’Omu Igala, the apex socio-cultural and political organisation of Igala people, the paramount ruler urged the group to deploy its resources to bring development and create employment for the teeming youths in the area.

The group, led by David Abutu, its national leader, was commended by the Attah for the developmental efforts it has put in place in the area.

“Igala land is blessed with more than 65 per cent of natural resources found in Kogi state. However, most of them remain untapped. And for those being tapped, we are not deriving maximum benefit from them. I believe you have the capacity to bring about development in Igalaland if you are united and passionate about it,” the traditional ruler said.

He added that some of the mineral resources in commercial quantities in Igalaland, most of which are yet to be exploited, include crude oil, iron ore, coal, kaolin, gold, marble, magnetite, apart from arable land for cash crop production.

“Already, as a result of the crude oil in Ibaji local government area of Kogi state, the federal government has included Kogi state among oil producing states,” he noted.

In his address, Abutu congratulated the traditional ruler for assuming the royal throne of his ancestors and pledged the support of the group to Attah Igala.

“Uk’Omu Igala’s objectives include engendering political, economic and social development in Kogi East Senatorial District,” Abutu said.

“We engage in programmes and projects that will lead to political education and participation, economic empowerment for the underprivileged and fighting for the rights of Igala people to ensure we take our proper place in the Nigeria.

“One of the projects that is in the offing is Inikpi Radio, meant to facilitate dissemination of beneficial information, education, and entertainment for the people of this geopolitical region.”

Some of the delegates who visited the traditional ruler were Patrick Akpa, a retired major general and former national leader of Uk’Omu Igala; Rakiya Abaji, deputy national leader; Sebastin Abu, national secretary; Vera Otimi Olive, national woman leader; and Theophilus Abbah, director of media and publicity.