The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other prominent Nigerians have been inducted into the maiden Idoma Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to public service, governance, religion, law and national development.
Other inductees include the founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; former Senate President, Senator David Mark; legal luminary, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN; and Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Arc Sonny Echono.
The ceremony was held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Peach Vine Event Centre, Wuye, Abuja, as part of activities marking the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.
Former Minister of Information, the late Chief Wantaregh Paul Unongo, was also honoured alongside legendary musician Dr Bongos Ikwue, singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, and former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr Sam Ode.
Others recognised included former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr James Abu Obe; former Supreme Court Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe; former Minister of Education, Dr Grace Ooja Ogwuche; and former lawmaker Ada Mark-Ogbole.
Delivering the keynote address, Wike urged the Idoma people to emphasise their contributions to Nigeria’s development rather than focus solely on grievances and demands for recognition.
“The Idoma people are part of that story, not merely as claimants to recognition, but as contributors to the national inheritance,” he said.
The minister described the Hall of Fame as an initiative capable of preserving the community’s heritage and inspiring younger generations to pursue excellence.
He said the recognition of distinguished individuals should promote values such as integrity, scholarship, innovation, enterprise and sacrifice.
“When we honour service, courage, scholarship, innovation, integrity, enterprise, cultural preservation, and sacrifice, we send a very different message: true achievement is measured not merely by what one acquires, but by what one contributes,” Wike said.
The FCT minister also called for a shift from identity-driven politics to leadership based on competence, accountability and service delivery.
He argued that political representation alone was insufficient to guarantee development, adding that citizens judged leaders by their impact on everyday life.
“Representation matters, but representation cannot be the destination; it must be a pathway to public value and competent service delivery in politics,” he said.
Wike challenged those aspiring to govern Benue State to prioritise development plans over arguments about ethnic majority and minority status.
“You who want to become governor of Benue State, what do you have to offer? It should not be about whether you belong to the majority or minority. What matters is who can provide roads, build schools, make our health centres work, and provide security,” he said.
He urged political leaders to prioritise employment, education, healthcare, security and economic opportunities, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should serve as an asset for national development rather than a source of division.
The founder and Executive Director of the Idoma Hall of Fame, Engr Agaba Ikwue, said the initiative was established to document and preserve the achievements of distinguished sons and daughters of Idoma land.
He said the institution would also support cultural preservation, historical research and education while providing younger generations with examples of outstanding service and achievement.
Women and cultural pioneers were also recognised at the ceremony.
They included Alice Alache Akla Adepe, Miss Nigeria 1963; Ogwuche, described as the first female Federal Minister from Idoma land; former federal lawmaker Ada Mark-Ogbole; Dr Mary Ada Ogbe; Justice Patricia Ajuma Mahmoud; Rev Sister Anne Abah; and late actress Ada Ameh.
Ogwuche was represented by Barrister David Mike Agada, who delivered her acceptance speech.
The induction also celebrated traditional rulers and other personalities whose contributions helped preserve the history and cultural identity of the Idoma people.
The Advisory Board of the initiative is chaired by retired Justice Ejembi Eko, while the Central Planning Committee for the maiden induction was chaired by Chief Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN.
The event was organised in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.
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