Auchi: Learning from the only emirate in southern Nigeria (I)

requesting me to be one of the Guest Speakers at the 15th edition of the Auchi National Day that held on January 8, 2012; the date specifically reserved for the annual event. Since then, I have on Otaru’s invitation gone back to Auchi twice for the same purpose on the occasion of the 16th and 17th editions. The last which is the most recent took place about a fortnight ago on Wednesday January 8, 2014.
Three years of meaningful interaction with the Auchi (Afenmai) people of Edo state is worth writing about. Aside of the acquaintance with the few personalities of Auchi, my presence for three consecutive times at the yearly National Auchi Day availed me with the privilege of learning from the virtuous qualities and ideals of the Otaru of Auchi. The opportunity equally helped me to appreciate the beautiful pattern of fraternity among the peace-loving people Auchi. A few of the admirable ideals that caught my attention at the annual event would be related here.
The 79-year old Otaru of Auchi who does not look his age, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Haliru H. Momoh, the Ikelebe III, is 17 years on the throne. A barrister and an accountant by profession, Alhaji Haliru Momoh is a traditional ruler with a difference. What distinguishes him from many royal fathers in contemporary Nigeria is the high sense of integrity he commands among all classes of people including his royal colleagues, the political elite, government officials, the masses, and indeed the Auchi community of Nigeria.
Although pre-colonial Auchi was a kingdom, it has religiously and culturally transformed in the last one and a half centuries; becoming the only emirate in southern Nigeria today. Although it is categorized as a community in South-Southern Nigeria, it remains a society with typical Northern Nigerian identity in so many ways. This is not without validly evidenced historical antecedents. The strong role and influence of Nupe scholars and traders in the middle of the 19th century in shaping what has today become an emirate in the headquarters of Etsako-West Local Government Area in the Edo North Senatorial district shall be discussed in the second part of this piece.
Iyamho, which is only 10 minutes drive from Auchi, is the home town of the Executive Governor of Edo State Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Except for the last (17th) edition of Auchi National Day that recently took place, Comrade Oshiomhole who is also the Omokpanaberbo of Auchi kingdom never missed being part of the annual event. He was physically present, and not represented, at the 15th and 16th editions of Auchi National Day. Although the Peoples’ Governor has not appointed me as his spokesperson, his absence from the 17th edition of the Day could be overlooked; having been involved in a road accident few days before the event. I have been told that the meaning of the traditional title “Omokpanaberbo” which Comrade Oshiomhole holds in Auchi is “one man like one country”.
I remember seeing Comrade’s mother, Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Oshiomhole, in the midst of other spectators at the 15th and 16th editions of Auchi National Day in 2012 and 2013 respectively. What I really wanted to ask (sorry, remind) the Peoples’ Governor if he had attended the January 8, 2014 edition of Auchi Day is that, the road that leads to Otaru’s Palace which he willingly promised to dualize, in his speech at the 16th Auchi Day on January 8, 2013; is yet a pledge to be fulfilled.
On each of the three occasions of Auchi Day that I was pleased to witness, HRH The Otaru took his seat at the usual venue long before the arrival of many invited guests. His speech on each of the occasions centered on calling people especially leaders to fear Allah (SWT) in their positions of authority and in the discharge of their responsibilities; cautioning them against acts of transgression; reminding them of the nothingness of this life; and alerting them on the worthlessness that this material world is. I found it interestingly amazing that the programme of events started promptly before the arrival of the governor on each of the occasions that he personally attended. Only a traditional ruler with integrity could do that. Usually, whenever the governor arrived after the start of the programme, the National Anthem would be played as a mark of honour for the governor; being the chief executive of the State.
When it was time for noon (zuhr) prayer and the programme of events for the Day had not ended, the Otaru would momentarily leave the venue (while others whose time it was to deliver their speeches remain behind) to observe the prayer and return to his seat to continue with the programme as planned. On each of the three occasions of the Auchi Day that I have so far witnessed, fund raising which is typical of such events had never formed part of the Day’s agenda. Each of these, I consider, is a good lesson for many of us.
The Ikelebe III and Otaru of Auchi Emirate is indeed a primer for the institution he exemplarily represents. The discourse next week will insha Allah narrate briefly some of the activities that featured at the January 8, 2014 Auchi Day. May Allah (SWT) guide us, leaders and followers alike, unto the path of guidance, amin.
Corrigendum:
Rabi’ul Awwal is the 3rd and not 2nd month of the Islamic lunar calendar as mentioned in last week’s piece titled “The greatest of men”. The error, caused by the haste to beat the deadline for submitting the column, is sincerely regretted.