Kogi Government promises 1st class status for Oluyara of Iyara

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Kogi State Government has assured the people of Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area of its commitment to upgrade the stool of the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara from second class to first class.

The assurance was given on Saturday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, while representing Governor Usman Ododo at the 2025 Annual Iyara Day Celebration and the launch of 250 million endowment fund held in Iyara town.

The government described the delay in upgrading the Eleta Oluyara stool as a historical oversight that will soon be corrected.

Ayoade, who addressed a large gathering of indigenes, traditional rulers and guests from within and outside the state, expressed surprise that Iyara still had a second-class traditional ruler.

She noted that Iyara, the headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area, is one of the most prominent historical towns in Kogi State and Nigeria.

“The President of the Iyara Development Association asked for the upgrade of our father, the Oluyara of Iyara, and I must say, this request is long overdue,” Ayoade said.

Continuing, the SSG of Kogi State said,

“I was shocked to learn that the Oluyara is still on second class. I promise to personally make a case for this upgrade to the Governor.

“In a place that has produced great sons and daughters like Senator Smart Adeyemi, this should not be the case”, she stressed.

The SSG recalled how she had personally intervened to secure similar upgrades in her hometown of Ife-Olukotun during the previous administration.

Her words, “When I first became SSG, I wrote a personal memo to former Governor Yahaya Bello, saying I couldn’t be SSG while my Oba remained second class. To the glory of God, that request was approved.

“By the time I assumed office, there was only one graded Oba in my community. Today, there are more than 10.

“I will push for Iyara’s case too, and I believe that with support from Senator Smart Adeyemi and others, this dream will soon become a reality.”

Iyara, the hometown of Senator Smart Adeyemi, holds a distinctive place in Nigeria’s administrative history.

It was the headquarters of the defunct Ijumu Native Authority during the First Republic under the Northern Region.

When Kogi State was created in 1991 from parts of the old Kwara and Benue States, Iyara retained its status as the headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area.

In spite of this long-standing administrative importance, the stool of the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara has remained second class.

Even smaller towns with less historical and administrative significance have had their traditional rulers elevated to first class status, a situation many indigenes of Iyara consider politically unfair.

Ayoade commended the people of Iyara for their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage, describing them as proud custodians of African values.

According to her, “Everywhere I go, even abroad, I dress as an African, no matter how cold the weather may be.

“We are rich culturally and we must always be proud of our roots. Let’s continue to showcase our culture and our colour with pride”, she maintained.

The SSG’s remarks were met with thunderous cheers from the crowd, many of whom described her speech as both inspiring and reassuring.

Indigenes expressed optimism that the long-awaited elevation of the Oluyara stool would soon become a reality, marking a new chapter in Iyara’s illustrious history.

Earlier, the President of Iyara Development Association, Alhaji Aliyu Badaki, had for the umpteenth time, lamented over the exclusion of the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara from among the first class traditional rulers in the State.

“Iyara has always been the administrative heart of Ijumu; it is only fair that our traditional ruler wears the crown of that greatness,” Badaki said.

Badaki, a hospitality professional and National President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), decried the security challenges facing the town and called for concerted efforts from Government in collaboration with the town.