Baskadia

As interesting as it may sound, 'oda ojiji'. As sweet as it may feel to be called oma oda- ojiji, it took me a very long time to know why this name exists and why the people of imane are referred to as "amoma oda- ojiji" Meaning children of oda-ojiji.

As curious as I was, just as curious as you could be now, I took the question to my father. Late Elder Abah John. The old man who derives so much pleasure in traditional history sat me down beside him and begins his story.

Imane is the igala speaking community of Olamaboro Area of Kogi state. Nigeria. According to the account of history, the imane community are the descendants of Atiyele the first son of HRM Atta Idoko, the then Atta of igala kingdom.No wonder imane is been referred to as ane- Atiyele. Meaning, the land of Atiyele.

Atiyele as a warrior, hunter and the first son of the king and an outstanding contributor to the expansion of igala kingdom, who also helped his father greatly in the war between the igala kingdom and the jukun people earned himself so many enemies from the Royal household. According to history, he was seen as a threat to his step brothers who had eye on the throne. He was hated by his brothers, step mother's and some kingmakers who never wanted him to ascend the throne after his father.

It so happened that Atta Idoko the king became sick and on this very day while Atiyele went hunting the king joined his ancestors. During those days hunting could take days and months. According to account of history, some kingmakers suggested that one of the son of the king should be crowned king immediately in order to avoid the news of the death of the king spreading to the jukun people. Remember during this time Atiyele was still away hunting. According to Hon. Felix Solomon Omachoko in his article titled Legend of oda-ojiji and the five ruling classes of imane. It was like a palace coup between the kingmakers who never wanted Atiyele to ascend the throne and other kingmakers. However, history has it that Ayegba the second born of the king was made king in absence of Atiyele the first son. What a twist of fate.

Atiyele on hearing what happened in the palace, his younger brother was made king in his absence was devastated and decided to leave Idah. Wandering about as a hunter, he got to a place called omelewu-Agaliga and saw an "oda" tree and decided to pick some while having some rest. The children of Otoko, the owner of the farm who were sent by their father to the farm on reaching the farm saw a man with the royal mask (Ejubejuailo) and Royal beeds around his waist ran back to their father in fear shouting "ojiji' gwu ofe oda" meaning ojiji' is under the Oda tree. Otoko picked up his local gun in attempt to go challenge the ojiji' that scared his children from the Oda tree. On reaching there, Atiyele in order to calm Otoko down began to hail him saying "Ajodoche" meaning the great hunter. Otoko on seeing the royal mask and Royal beeds on Atiyele without hailed him 'Oda-ojiji kidigbili'.

Otoko who took the royal blood home made him settle at the centre of the village with his three children. Idoko Ejeh, Oguchekwo and ochapa. Atiyele was made king and the name Oda-ojiji became his royal name. Till date, the kings of Imane are referred to as Oda-ojiji.