Auchi Day: A celebration of the Most High

January 8 every year is a day set aside by the devout and amiable people of Auchiin Edo state of Nigeria to celebrate Almighty Allah, the Most High. I was invited as a guest speaker at the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth editions of the day. Few days to this year’s event, the Waziri of Auchi Prof ZakariyauOseni called me that His Royal Highness the Otaru of Auchi had directed him to invite me to the 2017 edition of Auchi day which is the twentieth in the series.

The day began at 6am with the recitation of the entire verses of holy Qur’an at the architecturally-unique ‘Arafat’ mosque. The event which had the Otaru of Auchi in attendance was graced by a large congregation of Muslims; signifying theexceptional commitment exhibited by Auchi people in everything they choose to do.  Besides personal commitment, one other thing I observed during my visits to this historical town is that Auchi is a nation of people who are proud of their identity;rationalizing why they haveAuchi Anthem which consists of Allah’s praises. They are singularly blunt and cannot be intimidated by materialistic tendencies or its expression by others.

Auchi is an emirate where traditional titles are respected. Many of the traditional titles in Auchi have semblance with those in the Nupe emirates of Niger and Kwara states. This is not surprising because of the historical relationship between the two kingdoms of Nupe and Auchi. In a piece I serialized on this page for three consecutive weeks in January 2014 titled ‘Auchi: The only emirate in southern Nigeria’, I gave an account of the wars waged against the Etsakos in Auchi by the Mayakis or Dondodawas(military title and/or salutation for Nupe warriors). The piece alsoillustrated the impact of Muslim Nupe scholars on Auchi kingdom.  

This probably explains whyyou have(in Auchi )titles like Daudu, Dania (Daniyan in Nupe), Madaki, Galadima, Yanma,Jimba(or Gimba in Nupe) and Lerama (or Yerama in some Nupe emirates). One noticeable difference in the titles of the two old kingdoms of Nupe and Auchi is that some of the titles in Auchiare special salutations in Nupeused for holders of specific titles. For instance, Daudu, Yanma, Daniyan and Yerama are respective salutations for holders of the traditional Nupe titles of Shaaba (Crown Prince), Kpotun, Nakordi, and Dama.

This year’s occasion, which as usual, started promptly, was chaired by the Chief Imam of Auchiwho is also theWaziri of Auchi, Prof ZakariyauOseni. He is of the Arabic Department, University of Ilorin. The Otaruwho had never come late to this annual public event was seated before the arrival of most guests. The Executive Governor of Edo state was represented by the Jimba of Auchi. His Royal Majesty the Oba of Benin Kingdom was also represented at the occasion. Other dignitaries at the event included Prince Tony Momoh (Former Minister of Information), the Daudu of Auchi Prince Engr. AbdulAzeezMomoh, Princess Justice ConstanceRakiyaMomoh,Chief Blessing Aghomhere and many other important personalities too numerous to mention.It was the first time in my four visits to witness the annual event that the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who is the Omokpanabevho of Auchi (meaning: One man like one country) would be absent from the occasion.

The opening prayer which was offered by the Chairman of the occasion was followed by a short recitation of the holy Qur’an and thereafter by the Chairman’s opening remarks. The first lecture was eloquently delivered on ‘The Authenticity of the Glorious Qur’an’ by Sheikh MukhtarTusufIlenoba. There was a drama presentation by a group of young boys and girls which showcased how Umar Bn Al-Khattab embraced Islam as well as his contributions to its spread. The second lecture which was on ‘Trust in Allah’ was delivered by Sheikh AlhasanAbubakarZakariyya. A young school pupil presented a speech admonishing federal legislators not to enact laws that would provide for equality of rights between male and female heirs.

Other events include Islamic songs, a tug of warcontest between some military personnel and members of Auchi vigilante group as well as distribution of trophies and cash prizes to winners of the football competition organized to mark the occasion.The intermittent performance by hunters was thethrilling part of the occasion that portrayedAuchi’s rich cultural heritage as displayed through the rhythm of drums and dance steps. Even professional break-dancers of the Michael Jackson generation would have something to learn from the acrobatic dance of the energetic hunters.

The most inspiring speech at the occasion was the messagefrom the throne ofHis Royal HighnessAlhajiHaliru H. Momoh, the Ikelebe III andOtaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom. The Otaru was invited to the podium by an ace journalist and Dania of Auchi Kingdom, AlhajiUsmanAbudah whose command of English language and choice of words are matchlessly charming enough to earn him an awardfrom Charles Bally, arenowned scholar of stylistics. The Otaru was humblyand cheerfully guided to the stage by the Oduevho of Auchi and secretary to OtaruAlhajiYayahDirisu.   

After glorifying Allah (SWT), theOtaruin his speech advised Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to dare God in their proposal to enact a law that wouldgive equal share of inheritance to male and female children. While speaking on his siblings in the royal family ofAuchi, the Otarumentioned that a research conducted by his brother, Prince Tony Momoh, shows that while he was serial number 90, Prince Tony himself was serial number 165 among their father’s children. This‘world record’ in number of children is an uncommon blessing from the Most High.May Allah (SWT) keep us alive in good health to witness the next Auchi day, amin.