A former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Omede Idris, has made wide-ranging recommendations on how the Igala people of Kogi State in north-central Nigeria can move their ethnic group forward.

Dr. Idris, who was the immediate-past Commissioner for Health in Kogi State, made the recommendations as the keynote speaker at the 2016 Annual Conference by the Igala Association in America, held on September 3 in Boston, Massachusetts.

He said: “Strong institutions rather than strong leaders are needed for the development of a comprehensive infrastructural and human capacity development agenda. This should be by Igala at home in collaboration with those in Diaspora as a blueprint for government buy in, development partners and foundations.

“Fostering socio-cultural unity among the various individuals and communities of Kogi East through the promotion of domestic and international exhibitions, festivals and carnivals of arts and culture, with recommencement of Italo festival and similar festivals.

“Community wide agenda and participation with visionary political leadership

“Clear leadership structure in Igalaland, bearing in mind the constitution and clear laws of the state for the purpose of good intermix of the traditional institution, community members, professional, business and political class.

“Deliberate manhunt for visionary, inspirational and transformational leaders.

“Creative strategies and uncanny political commitment and will, hard work, selflessness and effectiveness.

“Cultural renaissance.

“Improved usage of our language and cultural orientation at homes, include Igala names, amongst the names of our children and wards.

“Education for cultural transformation and language studies.”

The former NMA President, who spoke on the theme, ‘Crisis on Multiple Fronts: Igala Language, Culture, and Leadership in the 21st Century’, noted that the Igala Kingdom that constitutes “the Eastern flank of Kogi State has a chequered socio-political challenges and cultural sojourns.”

According to him, “In all these, it has become evidently clear that multiple socio-political factors have restricted the development of the area. A combination of these factors have made the area to lag behind in many areas to meet the educational, health, technological, economic, and infrastructural needs of the people. Unless the snags as identified are tackled, it is difficult to imagine how those needs can be realised in the foreseeable future of the 21st century.”

•Photo shows Ex-NMA President, Dr. Omede Idris.

Update news