The quest to find a replacement for the last Och’Idoma who went on hunting expedition has ended with the emergence of Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo as the 5th paramount ruler of the Idoma nation.
The new Och’Idoma was presented to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday, by leader of the selection committee and Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Ekpe Ogbu and members who noted that the new paramount ruler emerged in an election that was transparent and peaceful.
Receiving the Och’Idoma-elect, at the Benue Government House, Makurdi, Governor Ortom congratulated him and prayed God to give him wisdom to be able to discharge his duties effectively.
The Government who pledged sustained support of his administration to the traditional institution in the state also promised his administration’s commitment to justice, fairness and equity at all times, stressing that as someone who comes from one of the least communities in the state, he will always allow God’s will to prevail.
The Governor also commended the selection committee, kingmakers and all stakeholders who played key roles in the emergence of the new Och’Idoma and urged them to support him to succeed.
Governor Ortom said a date will be selected soon to coronate the new Och’Idoma after which the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers will also be inaugurated for effective administration of the traditional institution in the state.
Speaking, the Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo pledged not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him through his selection.
“With every sense of humility and everything within me and having been elected the new Och’Idoma, I am proud to work with you because I believe that with you working in Benue, I will leverage on what God has deposited in you to transform Benue to greater heights.
“I pray that with the help of God that made it possible for me to be elected the Och’Idoma, I will not disappoint my people,” he said.
Earlier, leader of the selection committee, Chief Ekpe Ogbu, while presenting the Och’Idoma-elect explained that out of the three contestants that went to the final stage, the Och’Idoma-elect polled a total of 19 votes to defeat his closest rival, Arc. Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Education who scored 8 votes while Andrew Idakwu got one vote out of the overall 28 votes cast.
The Next Edition reports that the Och’Idoma-elect, who is of the Deeper Life Christian denomination, was born on March 27th,1969 as the 5th born to the family of Mr. Elaigwu Ekoja in Obagaji the headquarters of Agatu local government area of Benue State.
READ ALSO: Media Reports Can Reduce Prevalence Of Suicide Rate In Nigeria – Communication Expert
The new Och’Idoma graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1994 with B.Sc honours in Accounting and a
Master in Business Administration from Benue State University in 2012.
In 2015, the new Och’Idoma also possessed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from National Teacher Institute as well as an M.Sc in Accounting and Finance, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting from Nasarawa State University Keffi.
He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCITN), 2001, Fellow Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, (FCNA), 2002 and also an associate member of Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM.
Comrade Pst Elaigwu started his professional career and worked with Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS for the period of 23 years and rose to the position of Assistant Director.
He also held so many positions in the organisation one of which included Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria for two tenure from 2004 to 2012 and also served as National Ex-officio of the Association from 2012 to July, 2018.
