From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
A prominent traditional ruler and the Etsu Lokoja, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika Nyamkpa IV has shed more light on how Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, was named before the advent of colonial masters, saying Lokoja was founded by the Nupe natives who resided on the hilltop before the year 1700.
Addressing newsmen in his palace at the weekend to clarify some misconceptions about the capital city, he said, contrary to some beliefs, Lokoja was not founded by Frederick Lord Lugard nor any other tribe but the Nupe natives, who had been residing in the area for more than 100 years before the colonialists and other tribes came.
The royal father, who said since Lokaja has now become modern and all tribes are now laying claims as indigenes of the town, said the Nupe natives, who are the aborigines, should also be recognized as a tribal entity just like others and not be marginalized or subjugated for whatever reason.
He said the Nupe natives were not seeking to be the Maigari who is the chairman of the Lokoja traditional council; neither do they aspire to take his functions, but they should be given due recognition and the Etsu stool graded just like the Oba Yoruba of Lokoja, Ohinoyi Ebira of Lokoja, and Onu Igala of Lokoja, which are tribal heads in Lokoja.
In his words,
“This press conference is to correct the impression that Lokoja started with the British or at the point when they joined the train called Lokoja. For the sake of clarity, Lokoja was founded before the end of the 1700 by Nyamkpa alias Cheluka, whom some called Eshida. He was the Warlord of Etsu Jimada who died in the supremacy warfare between him and Etsu Majiya II.
“With the demise of his Principal, Nyamkpa and his warriors could either be exterminated or turned slaves, but rather than succumb to any of the two options, Nyamkpa decided to move his men and their families out of Gbara and finally arrived at the mountain top, first called Pati Lukongi by the guidance of his Oracle bird called ‘Eluko’ or its short form ‘Luko’.
“The event of the mysterious disappearance of ‘Luko’ his Oracle, whose latch could be seen but without ‘Eluko’. The observer’s exclamation – “Luko-a-dza” eventually led to the name Lukoja instead of the name Pati Lukongi.
“Etsu Nyamkpa, therefore, was not only the founder but also the first Etsu (King). He died around 1835 and was succeeded by his son Etsu Akpara Nyamkpa II who died at the war between the British Expedition Forces and the Nupe in 1897.
“His son Kabo Nyamkpa III who he refused to go with them to war in order not to leave the community without a head, took over reign as Etsu Lokoja. His reign was very weak because of the loss of virtually all the men, leaving him with just women and children at the mercy of the Colonial lords and their CMS agents. Kabo Nyamkpa III is the father of Maji and Maji is the father of HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika – Nyamkpa IV, the Etsu Lokoja.
” It is important to state here that the community called Lokoja was born right on the mountain top making it the original site of Lokoja and not down the mountain. Yet, although it was founded on top of the mountain, several of the people came down to settle because of hunting, fishing and farming and still maintain the common name Lokoja.
” In 1832 when Captain McGregor Laird sailed interland on the Niger River and arrived Lokoja to set up the British Consulate and the Trading Post, he met our people – the Nupe and not any other. When Dr. William Balfour Baikie arrived in Lokoja, he met our people – Nupe and not any other. We are the natives. The aborigines. And we have had our way of administering ourselves traditionally under our own leadership called ‘Etsu’ which usually is named after our community, Lokoja, as is common to all independent Nupe Communities across the entire Nupe nation.
“The nativity of Lokoja is in deed Nupe but with a distinction. They are the Nupe who left Gbara as a block and arrived at the mountaintop. Some of these eventually cross the Niger River around the 1860s led by Aishimwo the son of Nyamkpa and brother to Akpara Nyamkpa. Other leaders including Eta Mayaki were part of that crossing of our who later were Bassa Nge until recently
.
“However, like several other ethnic groups that moved into Lokoja as a result of the activities of the British, other Nupe from different parts of the Nupe nation also moved in. While some of these ethnic identities came in for business, some served as part of the Colonial Administration while others accompanied the deposed Emirs including our own revered Etsu Nupe, Mall. Abubakar.
“Today these men and women have become indigenes of Lokoja and have contributing to the development of Lokoja in one way or another but they do not take the place of the Natives. The native Nupe of Lokoja are a distinct people. They are the earliest inhabitants and are not replaceable. We have a right to exist and to be included in the running of the affairs of our homeland.
” The claim by our attackers that they are the Nupe Indigenes/natives of Lokoja is not correct because no true Nupe should antagonize the Nupe natives of Lokoja but we understand their affinity. As Natives, we are not contending with anyone but seeking our own fair share of attention for the sake of our unborn generations of native Nupe of Lokoja.
” Since we wouldn’t submit ourselves to be appointed by Indigenes, to them, we are not recognized. However, we do not need their approval to be who we are. We are a people, distinct in every sense and we are saying no to any attempt to subjugate us in our land under any other”
The traditional ruler therefore called on governor Usman Ododo to as a matter of urgency and in the spirit of fairness and justice grade the Etsu Lokoja stool to the second class status.