The Injustice done to Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State. fondly known to us all as Baba Kogi. How many prominent politician did you see was buried out side their village or State? Igala do not bury even their daughters married to another tribe Outside, talk more of a prominent Igala son, with wives, sons and daughters for that matter. Is Baba Kogi Childless? Does Baba Kogi have any surviving Siblings or family members, even Village people?
When Dr Achema died, he was Buried in Idah. When Prince Audu Abubakar died he was buried in Ogbonicha. When James Ocholi died he was buried in Ane Igala. Many too numerous to mentioned. Why was this injustice allow to be done to Ex Governor Ibrahim Idris?
He passed away in the UK, and his body was returned to Nigeria. We know Islamic tradition honours the swift burial of our loved ones, yet he was kept in the mortuary in Uk and his body returned and buried in Abuja, not in his hometown? Who told the children, that this is allowed in Igala culture?
In Igala culture, this touches us deeply. It is our custom, held sacred through generations: everyone young or old must be brought home to their village to rest among their people and ancestors. Even a child who is 10 years and dies away is always brought back with respect. To be buried elsewhere is something our tradition does not accept. it is not the way we honour our dead. Honour means home coming.
So with respect and love, we make this appeal: let his body be respectfully exhumed from Gudu Cemetery in Abuja, and be taken home to his people, to Igala land, to be buried among his ancestors. Let him rest where he truly belongs.
Let me explain clearly what this means in our culture: in Igala tradition, a family man who has children cannot be buried away from home , whether outside his village, in another state, or anywhere else. We always bring them home; that is how it has always been done. All Igala who died in Kaduna’s or Lagos Port harcourt or Kano body is always transported back home. I have travelled for such Journey many times.
The only ones who may be buried elsewhere are those who do not have a father’s House or home e.g a Basscard, or any man or woman who pass away without children. This comes from our belief in reincarnation: it is believed that those who die without children should not be reborn among us, and so they are not buried at home. But Baba Kogi has children, he has a home, he has a father’s house. He is one of us, and he must come home to his ancestral home.
To the wife and children of Baba Kogi. I speak to you with great respect and genuine care. I ask you, to do what is right: make the arrangements to bring Baba Kogi home from Gudu Cemetery to Igala land, where he truly belongs. It is best to do this now, out of love and honour for him and for the peace and well-being of your family. Let him rest among his people, as he it has been done from generations.
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