New Ochi’ Idoma: Pastor John Elaigwu emerged as Idoma Nation paramount ruler
The Idoma traditional council has selected a new paramount ruler for the Idoma nation. He is Dr Elaigwu Odogbo.
This followed the death of the Ochi’ Idoma, His Royal Highness (HRM) Elias Ikoyi Obekpa.
The selection of the new Idoma paramount ruler was through the election process.
The College of voters for the new Och’ Idoma stool has elected among the three contestants a new paramount ruler for the Idoma nation OCH’IDOMA V, in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State yesterday.
Results of the election which was contested among three Idoma sons showed 28 total accredited voters.
Andrew Idakwu got one vote while Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo polled 19 votes. Sunday Echono polled eight votes.
Going by the results Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo, having scored 19 out of the total 28 valid votes cast, emerged winner and was returned as the substantive new Och’Idoma V.
Also yesterday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom congratulated the Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo on his election as the 5th paramount ruler of the Idoma nation.
Governor Ortom yesterday, at the Government House Makurdi, received the Och’Idoma-let when the latter was presented to him by the selection committee, led by the Commissioner for Housing, Chief Ekpe Ogbu.
The Governor prayed God to provide the anointing on the new paramount ruler to be able to discharge his duties effectively, even as he pledged sustained support of his administration to the traditional institution.
He also pledged his administration’s commitment to justice, fairness and equity at all times.
The Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo pledged not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him through his selection.
While presenting the Och’Idoma-elect to the Governor, team leader of the selection committee, Chief Ekpe Ogbu said the election was transparent and peaceful.
He 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, Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education who scored eight votes while Andrew Idakwu got one vote out of the overall 28 votes cast.
Biography
The Och’Idoma-elect, who is of the Deeper Life Christian denomination was born on March 27, 1969, as the 5th born to the family of Mr Elaigwu Ekoja in Obagaji the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Och’Idoma graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1994 with B.Sc. Honours in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration from Benue State University in 2012.
The new Och’Idoma also has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from National Teacher’s 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 Elaigwu started his professional career and worked with Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS for 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 tenures from 2004 to 2012.
He also served as National Ex-officio of the same Association from 2012 to July, 2018.
His Royal Majesty Elaigwu comes to the traditional institution as an erudite trainer (resource person in FIRS) and a thorough professional with vast experience in taxation and accounting through international training and development.