By Nancy Adanu
Paramount ruler of the Idoma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, John Elaigwu,CON, has unveiled plan to build an Idoma Cultural and Social Centre in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of Idoma nation.
Agabaidu revealed that the state of the art facility, when completed, will provide comfortable ambient, secured and convenient accommodation for individuals and groups with a promise of commitment in guaranteeing a memorable experience while engaging the rich socio-cultural history and traditions of the Idoma people.
“The center when completed is expected to have a hall of fame, multipurpose mall, ICT centre, mini mall, pharmacy, meeting rooms, as well as eighty-nine fully furnished guest rooms that would cater for the needs of locals and visitors alike”, he revealed.
According to the Och’Idoma, the centre’s primary objective is to serve as a central hub for the Idoma Renaissance, attracting personalities around the globe, including local and international researchers, cultural enthusiasts, creative persons and tourists who seek to experience the Idoma culture and tradition.
The paramount ruler hinted that, the edifice would be completed with aesthetics that will be a combination of both contemporary and traditional architectural designs coupled with amenities to create and present an environment that seamlessly blends the past and present, with a hall of fame dedicated to an archive of Idoma history including histories of past Och’Idoma traditional rulers as well as that of other notable people and events that have helped to shape the socio-cultural evolution of the Idoma that contributed to the development of the area.
He further maintained that the centre will be a melting pot for progressive ideas and a catalyst for cultural exchange.
“One of the key highlights of the centre will be its dedication to boosting the diverse cultural heritage of the Idoma people. It is also geared towards collectively revitalizing and archiving the rich history of the people for the benefit of the future generations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a high-level committee will be inaugurated in the coming weeks by His Royal Majesty to ensure the quick realization of the groundbreaking project which is expected to generate unimaginable revenue for the Idoma Area Traditional Council.
According to the royal father, “this epochal project, when it comes to fruition, would be the first of its kind in Nothern Nigeria and is expected to leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the Idoma nation.
“Besides boosting the local economic capacity of the ancient city of Otukpo, the centre would essentially provide direct and indirect employment to hundreds of our teeming youths, thereby, reducing the rate of unemployment and restiveness within Otukpo and its environs”.
It is worthy of note that the Idoma Cultural and Social Centre has been registered with the Otukpo Local Government Council.
