I am Full-Blooded Idoma (FBI) and proudly so. The unalloyed loyalty of the Idoma people was demonstrated during the Nigerian civil war. It is a widely known fact that but for the gallantry of the Idomas, Tivs, and other ethnic nationalities from Plateau and old Gongola States the Nigerian civil war would have being squarely lost by Federal troops.
And this special group of people have not reneged their loyalty, not just yet; a loyalty to the greater picture of that strong, virile and prosperous Nigeria.
It therefore appalled my imagination that one Nnamdi Kanu and his group of misguided IPOB elements will conceive in their wildest imagination that Idomaland is part of the imprudent campaign for a Biafran Republic. GOD FORBID!
Now, I grew up to appreciate my Idoma heritage. We are predominantly hardworking farmers by nature and known for our loyalty for whatever we believe in.
The Idoma people inhabit the lower western areas of Benue State, and our kindred are found in Cross Rivers, Enugu and Nasarawa States. The Idoma language is classified in the Akweya subgroup which includes Alago, Agatu, Etulo and Yala languages of Benue, Nasarawa and Northern Cross River states. The bulk of the territory is inland, South of River Benue.
We are renowned farmers, warriors and hunters of class, but hospitable and peace-loving as well. For instance, the Idoma woman is the most beautiful and cultured lady you can find anywhere in the country. They are home stabilizers and extremely loyal to their marriage covenant.
One of the greatest advantages the Idoma people had during the colonization of various ethnic groups was the fact that Idomaland remained largely unknown to the West until the 1920s, leaving much of the colorful traditional culture of the Idoma intact.
From the Nigerian civil service, to the Nigerian military and security services, to politics, the Idoma nation has produced some of the finest citizens Nigeria can boast of. The contribution of this special breed of people to national development and unity is second to none and unrivalled in the middle belt region of Nigeria.
Infact, while various groups clamour for the balkanization of the country along ethnic and religious lines, I can boldly say that there has never been a time we had a secessionist group in the entire Idomaland. The Idoma man is indeed a true Nigerian who believes in the indivisibility of the nation.
How then did Nnamdi Kanu and his band of renegade agitators arrived at the conclusion that Idomaland is part of the so called Biafra Republic? Were we consulted? Did our people ever express the desire to secede from Nigeria? What really is the connection between Idomaland and the Biafra agitation?
Yes I agree that there is the proximity in land mass. But it is on record that Idoma and Igbo ethnic groups are two (2) distinct nationalities. We have nothing in common politically. I agree that Igbo traders still patronize major Idoma markets in Agatu, Otukpo, Otukpa and other parts of Idomaland; and that is where it ends.
I am therefore using this medium to sound a note of warning and call to attention that the peace-loving people of Idomaland HAVE NEVER and will NEVER be a part of IPOB’s propaganda campaign. Nnamdi Kanu and his apologists should as a matter of urgency REMOVE IDOMALAND from the purported map of Biafra Republic, and should SEIZE henceforth to directly or indirectly refer to any of its part in their insidious and sinister campaigns.
For Kanu’s information, the Idoma people in the face of provocation are still very much ready to defend their identity against the antics of intruders and misguided miscreants and apologists of the unrealistic pursuit of a Biafra Republic.
I therefore call on all Idoma sons and daughters to rise and renounce the shenanigan of Kanu and his group of IPOB brigands.
I AM FULL-BLOODED IDOMA #FBI and proudly so.
James Igoche,
Otukpo, Benue State
