From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Etsu Lokoja, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, Nyamkpa IV has called on Governor Usman Ododo to recognize and grade the Etsu stool.Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Lokoja, the monarch said Nupes are natives of Lokoja, not mere indigenes.

The Etsu insisted that they are the earliest inhabitants of Lokoja and are not replaceable, adding that they have a right to exist and to be included in the running of the affairs of their homeland. He emphasized the need to grade the Etsu Lokoja stool to create balance and forestall any future intimidation, harassment, marginalization and attacks against the peace loving Nupe natives in the name of lack of government recognition.He appealed to security agencies not to relent in their efforts to fish out the perpetrators and sponsors of the arson against the premises of the Palace of the Etsu Lokoja in which his car was burnt beyond redemption.The Etsu Lokoja noted that the continuous harassment is not healthy for Lokoja, the state capital city.He appealed to the government to halt further harassment and hold instigators responsible for any breakdown of law and order or destruction of lives or properties because of their inciteful utterances and activities against the native Nupe of Lokoja.Responding to a recent press release by a group, Lokoja Indigenous People Union and its spokesperson Alh. Aliyu Lawal Jiya, as well as another group by the name of Lokoja Patriots targeting the Etsu Lokoja, and disclaiming the Etsu Lokoja’s royalty as a traditional ruler and a leader of the Nupe Natives of Lokoja, the monarch said by their actions, they are making clear their ignorance about 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 at 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 at Lokoja, he met our people – Nupe and not any other. We are the natives. The aborigines. And 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 indeed Nupe but with a distinction. They are the Nupe who left Gbara as a block and arrived at the mountain top. Some of these eventually crossed 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 indigenous of Lokoja and have contributed 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.The Etsu Lokoja said the fact remains that we are the earliest inhabitants.He added that while they have no grudge against any group of the diversely composed Lokoja, they are saying that as host ethnic groups, they also want to be included in the general equation of the governance of Lokoja like the other ethnic groups.Regarding the allegation that HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika – Nyamkpa IV claimed to be the custodian of the European Cemetery or the tomb sites of the deposed Emirs, the Etsu Lokoja said it is false because he mentioned to the very Senator Shehu Sani, during his recent visit, that if he had been aware of the intention to visit such sites earlier, he would have consulted the authorities for access. However, since the custodian of the tombs of the deposed Emirs could be reached, he guided the Senator to reach the custodians since he desired to see the tombs.