IDOMA Kingmakers on Thursday anointed a 52-year-old pastor, John Elaigwu Odogbo, as the 5th Och’Idoma, the paramount ruler of Idoma people of Benue State, a press statement by Nathaniel Ikyur, the Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has revealed.
The statement quoted Governor Ortom congratulating the Och’Idoma-elect when he was presented to him by the kingmakers, led by the Commissioner for Housing, Chief Ekpe Ogbu on Thursday, December 30th, 2021 at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
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, the statement said adding that the governor pledged his administration’s commitment to justice, fairness and equity at all times, stressing that as someone who comes from one of the least communities in the state, he will always allow God’s will to prevail.
The governor also congratulated the selection committee, kingmakers and all stakeholders who played key roles in the emergence of the new Och’Idoma.
Governor Ortom said soon after coronation of the new Och’Idoma, the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers will be inaugurated for effective administration of the traditional institution in the state.
In a remark, the Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo, pledged not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him through his selection.
Team leader of the selection committee, Chief Ekpe Ogbu, while presenting the Och’Idoma-elect to the Governor 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, Arc. Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, who scored 8 votes, while Andrew Idakwu got one vote out of the overall 28 votes cast.
The Och’Idoma-elect, who is of the Deeper Life Christian denomination, was born on March 27th, 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 new Och’Idoma graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1994 with B.Sc. Honours in Accounting and a Master in Business Administration from Benue State University in 2012.
In 2015, the new Och’Idoma also possessed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from National Teachers’ Institute as well as an M.Sc. in Accounting and Finance, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting, also 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).
Pastor Elaigwu started his professional career and worked with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the period of 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.
