*IGALAMELA/ODOLU LEADERS MOBILIZE FUNDS FOR BEFITTING ETEMAHI PALACE IN AJAKA*

The Executive Chairman of Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Cosmas Ilemona Atabor, has described plans to construct a befitting palace for the Chairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs as a welcome development.

Speaking at the N800 million appeal fundraising ceremony organized by the Igalamela Community Development Association ICDA in Ajaka, Barr. Atabor called on sons and daughters of the community to unite and turn the long-standing aspiration into reality. He also made a financial contribution toward the project.

Chairman of the occasion and former Executive chairman of the Local Government Comrade Zakito Umar in his opening remarks   described the initiative as commendable and long overdue. He said the Etemahi as Chairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs, deserved a palace that reflects his status and role in the traditional institution.

“I commend the organizers of this launching. It is long overdue for our Etemahi of Igalamela to have a befitting palace,” he said. 

Umar urged all sons and daughters of Igalamela/Odolu, both at home and in the diaspora, to contribute meaningfully toward the project. He stressed that the community has capable men and women who can make the project a reality through collective effort.

He also called on the Kogi State Government to support the initiative, noting that similar support had been extended to other traditional councils in the state.  

“This project is achievable if we collaborate with government, just like they did with other traditional councils in other local governments. I urge the Kogi State Government to support this project in order to actualize it,” he added.

Umar concluded by appealing to Igalamela indigenes worldwide to see the palace project as part of their contribution to the growth and development of their land and made a personal donation to the project. 

Earlier,  Mr. Clement Attabor, National President of the Igalamela Community Development Association, ICDA, said the decision to launch an N800 million appeal fundraising for the palace of the Chairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs was driven by the need to correct a long-standing anomaly. He noted that Igalamela/Odolu was the only area in Kogi East without a befitting traditional palace, despite its role as kingmaker in the Igala Kingdom. During the last selection of the Ata Igala, he said, the event was held in a personal residence rather than an official palace, which he described as disheartening.

Attabor explained that shortly after assuming office, he consulted with the executive committee and insisted that the project must begin despite past claims that it was impossible due to political reasons. He said invitations were sent out to all sons and daughters of Igalamela, and the response had been positive, leading to the current fundraising event. The estimated cost of N800 million, he said, was based on a quantitative survey report for the proposed structure.IGALAMELA/ODOLU LEADERS MOBILIZE FUNDS FOR BEFITTING ETEMAHI PALACE IN AJAKA*

On funding, Attabor stated that the association would first mobilize contributions from Igalamela indigenes at home and abroad, with all donors’ names recorded in a register that would be displayed in the completed palace. 

He added that letters had also been sent to corporate organizations operating in Kogi State, including Dangote Cement, Union Bank, First Bank, UBA, and FCMG, and that several had pledged support. 

He expressed confidence that with community contributions and government assistance, similar to what was extended to other local governments, the project would be realized.

Comrade Dr. Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu, Deputy  President  of the Association and Chairman of the Organizing Committee said the event marks the beginning of a structured effort to build a befitting palace for the Chairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs in the local Government area.

 Dr. Anyegwu thanked God Almighty for making the occasion a reality and described it as a starting point for the project. He explained that the organizing committee would reconvene in the next three months to review progress, assess work done, and acknowledge donors who have generously contributed to the initiative.

He expressed confidence that with sustained commitment, the objective would be achieved. “By the special grace of God, we will achieve our noble objective,” he said, calling on stakeholders to continue supporting the project aimed at enhancing the dignity of the traditional institution in Igalamela/Odolu.

In a message delivered on his behalf by Alhaji Ali Atabor, former Minister Prof. Stephen Ocheni recalled past efforts to secure a befitting palace for the Traditional Council. Prof. Ocheni, a former leader of the Igalamela Community Development Association (ICDA), urged the current executive members to build on those efforts to ensure the project succeeds.

Highlights were cultural dances and donations received from son's and daughters of the local government both at home and in diaspora .

Hassan  Abubakar- Editor .