The Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, has warned the self-acclaimed Monarch HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika to stop parading himself as the Etsu Nupe of Lokoja.
Adamu gave the warning in a statement on Friday ahead of the planned celebration/coronation of the Etsu Nupe of Lokoja, which is slated to take place on 21st December, 2024, in Kogi State.
The embattled self-acclaimed Monarch had, in a press briefing in Lokoja on Thursday, asserted that the second edition of the Nupe Lokoja Native Day would take place on Saturday, 21st December, adding that the Nupe natives were the earliest settlers of Lokoja.
He said, “We want the society, government, and everybody to know that we exist. That we are not in control of anything now does not mean we don’t exist. We are, however, saying now that whatever is supposed to fall to us as Natives, should be given to us.”
“Don’t treat us as if we are not there. We want to have a fair share. Get attention from government, the public, and everyone who cares. We should not be sandwiched as subservient people.”
“No, we are not subservient. We are a people who are independent. We have, over time, governed ourselves as a people. We are people who are here and need every recognition due to us.”
“We want to be able to identify ourselves. It will be wrong for someone else to tell us whether we the Nupes are indigenes or natives. It becomes very difficult for someone to tell us our story of who we are.”
“We want the government to please recognize us as the earlier settlers and to also recognize and grade that our old existing stool of the Etsu Lokoja.”
“We also want to have direct access to government to enable us to discuss our own interests by ourselves. We do not want to have a go-between. We are the ones wearing the shoes and know where it pinches us. We want to tell our issues by ourselves.”
“We want to be able to participate in the affairs of government, like security matters and the architecture, because we may have information that is useful.”
“Also, in the Local Government Traditional Council, we want to be a part of it because we are a community of people, spread all over the place and town. If you look at other cosmopolitan areas, the natives are never sidelined but are made important players in the system.”
However, in a swift reaction, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government, Comrade Adamu, averred that the planned celebration of 2024 Nupe Natives Day and coronation of the Etsu of Lokoja had been halted.
The statement reads in part: “Please refer to the proposed celebration/coronation of the Etsu Nupe of Lokoja, which is slated to take place on 21st December, 2024.”
“The Council, as a constitutional authority, is mindful of actions made by individuals and organizations. It is quite apt to state here that the proposed title of Etsu Nupe of Lokoja is alien to our people and culture here in Lokoja and is capable of generating a huge crisis.”
“We have a recognized traditional institution in Lokoja, and this proposed title has no historical basis. Therefore, allowing the event to take place does not arise. Flowing from this and in consideration of the likely consequences, you are therefore informed of the disapproval of your request.”
“Furthermore, you are advised to stop parading yourself as the Etsu of Nupe Lokoja. Security agencies have been notified of the Local Government’s position. Please treat this strictly.”
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