On the 6th day of November, 2021, alongside some Comrades and Clergies, we unveiled Operation Dago’Kegba in memorial of Dr. Stephen Omakoji Achema. The main aim of the Operation was to unite the Igala race in a bid to speak with one voice and, at the same time, bury our individual differences in pursuits of communal interest. The movement was non-partisan. When we rolled out the drums, we visited the Palace of Ata Igala for royal blessings, but in the long run, our own kinsmen championed varying degrees of calumnies against Operation Dago’Kegba; either by alleging a political undertone or spreading diabolic rumours about the funding of the movement by some formulated political figures. As a founding member, I received a choking dose of lashes, but it did not deter my initial perceptions.
The peace, unity, and development of Ane’Igala is sacrosanct. Detractors and the agents of distractions must raise their ugly heads at intervals, but we should not allow local sorceries and witchcrafts to halt the divine purpose of God Almighty, especially as it concerns the betterment of our kingdom or the Igala race. It was amidst these barrages of senseless hullabaloo targeted at Operation Dago’Kegba that I veered deeply into the subconscious and got hints of the major standpoints threatening the shallow-mindedness of these mischief makers.
The motto of Operation Dago’Kegba is “Ákpánè, Ánè Kí Fù Kpá“, which literally translates as anyone who is killing the land, may the land kill the person. It is just like a hovering curse in search of defaulters to strike or perch. Little wonder those who do not mean well for the land revolted against us. They tagged the Operation to whatever pleased their myopic understanding. However, these bandwagons failed to know the true essence of that motto. It does not mean death. We – the founding fathers of Operation Dago’kegba – do not have the power to kill because all powers belong to God, but we had the wherewithal to redeem our people from disunity, lazy gossips, and miscalculated sentiments. The motto was a dangling hammer stationed to repay anyone with their own coin. Thus, those who once fought against the progression of the land in 2019 got a fair deal of their political investments in 2023. It is not rocket science. Ákpáne, Ánè Kí Fù Kpá!
Idris Hussain Kashim, popularly known as Idrisimma; Idris HK on the blue app, took it upon himself to spend his personal funds in developing the Igala Kingdom, but as usual, these agents of darkness have commenced another enchantment of exaggerated mumuism. They are already in jittery. Many of his critics are branding his uncommon spirit of philanthropy as a political motive, yet their paymasters are hiding in the confinements of greed to hire “data boys” instead of utilizing funds to develop the land. Let the truth be told: Idrisimma is not the richest Igala man living on the surface of the earth. The funds he is spending to develop the land or touch lives are his personal business money; he is not an appointee of any government. He was not elected by men to serve his people, but he was ordained by God to catapult his people to greatness.
What are the sins of Idrisimma? Is it now a crime to help the downtrodden in the society? Why are we hell-bent on crucifying any act of benevolence in Ane’Igala? Who cursed our people to fight the goodwill of the few philanthropists who are willing to assist? This shenanigans must stop because it is making the Igala race roam around in a vicious cycle. Let us assume Idris HK is having a political motive as speculated in some quarters. Is he not qualified more than some of your sponsors who are occupying elective offices with zero traces of accountabilities or achievements while in office? We cannot continue to recycle leaders who prefer to expend our allocations in patronizing charmers and sorcerers instead of developing the land.
Now, let us be realistic. Whether Idrisimma contests in 2027 or not, it will not remove all the projects he has initiated from Igala land. He will not take back his hard-earned monies from the people he has lifted out of poverty. What is stopping your Principal from duplicating same gestures? Had it been we have 10 personalities who have the heart of giving like Idrisimma in Igala land, Ane’Igala will not remain the same. Think before you attack — use your head instead of allowing some lazy politicians to use you as their attack dogs. How many of them will subscribe internet data for their children to insult perceived political opponents online the way you are scrolling the social media on a daily basis looking for who to insult?
Surprisingly, the same naysayers that joined forces together to kill the dreams of Prince Abubakar Audu are still moving around the political circle in Kogi state sowing seeds of disharmony, especially in Kogi East. The late Audu was willing, able, and ready to work — he was working — but these agents of darkness connived and kicked him out of office with the allegations that he was too proud. Today, the rest is history, but majority of them suffered the aftermath of that clueless accidental discharge. In life, there must be a reaction to every action. Please, allow Idrisimma to breathe. If helping people has now become a crime, nail him; Idrisimma is a criminal.
