There was excitement, joy and glee on June 21, in Emekutu Community of Igalaland, Kogi State, when frontline traditional medical practitioner, Alhaji Aminu Suffi, was coronated the Ohioma Onu Emekutu (prime minister).
The significant, solemn ceremony was performed in the presence of members of the community, friends, well-wishers, as well as prominent sons and daughters of Igala land.
Igala land is one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa, prominent both in the past and present for its warriors spiritualism.
Suffi was in February 2022 crowned the Agbene of Igala, an exalted title that stands for “Chief Priest and Spirit Eyes of the Kingdom”. He got this title due to his hard work and meticulous dedication to the service of his people, especially those with traditional spiritual benefits.
Alhaji Aminu Suffi didn’t just get prominent overnight. He has an interesting history behind him.
Born on the16th of June 1982 at Idah, headquarters of Igala kingdom, Suffi bears blue blood, having being born into the royal family of Itodo Aduga ruling clan of Igala kingdom.
He attended the St Boniface Primary School, Idah and proceeded to Kaduna, where he attended the Federal Government College, Kaduna.
His pursuit for education finally took him to Nassarawa State Polytechnic, where he graduated in Philosophy.
After a brief stay in Port Harcourt, where he worked with Tosaco Construction Company from 2003 to 2006, according to him, “the oracles directed me through visions and dreams to return to Igala land and serve humanity and my people. That was when I started my traditional medicine practice”, he revealed.
In an exclusive interview with Jungle Journalist Media Limited, the Agbene Igala and Ohioma Onu Emekutu stated-
“Am a member of National Association of Nigerian Traditional medicine practitioners (NANTMP), and I rose to the position of a member of the National Disciplinary Committee of the Association in 2022. That was the same year I was crowned the Agbene of Igala kingdom on the 11th of February 2022 to be precise.
He also gave a brief on the history of his ancestry –
“My grandfather Ohiemi Agbaji left Idah when his father Itodo Aduga ascended the throne as the Attah of Igala kingdom (Paramount Ruler).
“He left Idah to found a kingdom called Emekutu in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State and became the first king of Emekutu kingdom. He then create four ruling houses which include Akumabi ruling house, Akogwu ruling house, Ocholi ruling house and Ameachor ruling house, just as it is in Idah, the headquarters.
“I am from the Akumabi ruling house and I was found worthy because of my contribution to the development of the community and my efforts in uniting my people, so I was appointed by my people to lead them as the Ohioma Onu Emekutu. OHIOMA means ” Prime Minister of the Kingdom and Representative of the ruling house”, he stated.
Highlights of the event include the crowning ceremony, performed by His Royal Highness Chief Hassan Shaibu, the Onu Emekutu.
Prominent among the dignitaries who graved the ceremony include include kings, traditional rulers, title holders and other men and women of timbre and caliber. They include –
H.R.H Hassan shaibu, H.R.H Ibrahim Amodu – Onu Igala Lagos State, H.R.H Wada Oyibo – Ogah Attah Igala, H.R.H Abdul Ayoky as well as
H.R.H Abuker Adol – Óchai Onu Emekutu.
Others are H.R.H Abdul Maji – Aidoko Aju Akogu, H.R.H Onu Ojokwu, H.R.H Orego Egume,
Ambassador Ankpa – National leader NANTMP, and Dr Isah Obele – VP North Central zone NANTMP.
