By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria. February 2026
The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration has held its inaugural meeting in Abuja, setting the stage for what organisers describe as the most significant gathering in the history of Benue South Senatorial Zone.
The hybrid meeting, held at Bateha Resort, Wuse, was chaired by Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, with Chief Emmanuel Ogbile serving as Co-Chair. The Board was formally inaugurated on January 24, 2026, by His Royal Majesty, the Ochi’Idoma, and mandated to plan a “Centenary Plus” celebration marking 100 years since the establishment of the Idoma Division in 1923 a landmark in the administrative history of the Idoma, Igede, Ufia and Akweya peoples.
A Celebration Beyond Commemoration
With the theme, “Honouring Our Century, Forging Our Future,” the 2026 celebration is positioned as more than a symbolic anniversary. Organisers say it is a strategic platform aimed at strengthening unity, preserving heritage and driving development across the region.
Key objectives include documenting collective history, promoting youth empowerment in a population where more than 60 percent are under 35 fostering cohesion among the Idoma, Igede, Ufia and Akweya communities, revitalising culture, mobilising investment and engaging the Idoma diaspora globally.
Nine-Month Programme of Activities
Scheduled to run from March to December 2026, the programme will feature:
An Academic and Policy Summit
A Youth and Innovation Showcase, including “Idoma’s Got Talent”
A Centenary Beauty Pageant and Innovation Fair
A Centenary Documentary premiere across the nine local government areas
A Women’s Empowerment Summit
A Grand Cultural Carnival incorporating the ASK Festival and Unity Cup semi-finals
The grand finale will include an interfaith prayer service, a gala and awards night, a grand durbar, Unity Cup finals, the launch of legacy institutions, and the symbolic burial of a time capsule to be opened during the bicentennial celebration in 2123.
Legacy Projects and Expected Outcomes
According to the Board, the celebration will produce a published book of proceedings, a policy communiqué, investment commitments and structured youth development initiatives.
Permanent legacy projects are expected to include the Idoma Hall of Fame, the Apa Leadership Academy, a Digital Museum and a Centenary Scholarship and Innovation Fund. Unity sporting competitions basketball, football and lawn tennis will also take place across the nine local government areas.
Broad Stakeholder Participation
The BOT announced the constitution of ten sub-committees covering finance and resource mobilisation, media and publicity, academic and policy, youth and innovation, women’s empowerment, culture and tourism, health, sports, protocol and events, as well as legacy projects including the Ochi’Idoma Square.
Stakeholders involved in the process include the Idoma Area Traditional Council, the nine LGAs in Benue South, development associations such as Ochetoha K’Idoma, Omnyi Igede, Ufia and Akweya development associations, diaspora groups in the United States, Europe and Australia, professional bodies, cultural foundations, women and youth organisations, and media partners.
Attendance
Among those present at the inaugural meeting were representatives of Senator Aba Moro and the Benue State House of Assembly; heads of tertiary institutions in Zone C; legal, architectural and civic leaders; diaspora representatives; traditional council delegates; youth and women leaders; and members of the Idoma sporting community.
Chief Dr. Paul Edeh, Secretary of the Board, also conveyed apologies from members who were unavoidably absent.
Chairman’s Charge
In his closing remarks, Prof. Ochefu urged committee members to ensure that planning activities, budgets and personnel structures are finalised by the end of March 2026 to deliver a celebration that reflects the rich history, unity and future aspirations of the Idoma people.
Media Contact:
Media and Publicity Committee
Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration
Email: media@idomacentenary.org
Tel: [Contact Number]
“Honouring Our Century, Forging Our Future.”
