Benue Monarch Calls for Cultural Revival, Warns Against Identity Erosion Among Idoma People

The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, has raised concerns over what he described as a growing sense of cultural shame and identity avoidance among the Idoma people, urging a deliberate and collective effort to revive and preserve the nation’s language, values and traditions.

The monarch made the call while delivering an address at the Idoma Cultural Day celebration held in Otukpo, Benue State, in collaboration with the Idoma International Carnival, according to a statement issued on Saturday.

Expressing worry over the increasing disconnect between young Idoma people and their cultural roots, the royal father said the quest for what he termed “misplaced validation” was contributing to the gradual erosion of Idoma identity.

He warned that any culture begins to decline when its people become ashamed of their language, accent and traditional practices.

“Culture dies when its people apologise for it. We must never be ashamed of our culture or our accent. Our accent is our identity, and we should be able to speak our language and sing our songs anywhere we find ourselves,” the Och’Idoma said.

He identified insecurity and displacement, declining use of the Idoma language in homes, cultural shame, leadership fragmentation, poor documentation of heritage and ridicule on social media as major threats to the survival of Idoma culture.

The monarch noted that public mockery of Idoma people, leaders and institutions particularly on digital platforms has weakened respect for the culture.

He said such attacks are often driven by ignorance and a lack of patriotism, stressing that social media should be used as a tool for education and cultural promotion rather than ridicule.

Calling on Idoma sons and daughters to act as “gatekeepers” of their identity, the Och’Idoma urged responsible use of digital platforms, accurate storytelling and dignified engagement in defending the image of the Idoma nation.

“We must respond to falsehood with facts, dignity and love. We shall not hand over our image to mockery,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for unity among Idoma cultural organisations, warning that rivalry and fragmentation weaken collective strength and blur cultural direction.

“Where leadership is fragmented, direction becomes confused. Culture cannot survive in the midst of ego-driven rivalry,” the monarch stated, calling for the alignment of structures, programmes and messaging so the Idoma people can speak with one voice.

The Och’Idoma further appealed to Idoma youths, cultural groups, corporate bodies and friends of the Idoma nation to work together in unity, noting that the survival of the culture depends on cooperation rather than competition.

“We are many expressions, but one Idoma soul,” he said.

As part of efforts to institutionalise cultural celebration, the monarch announced that December 23 has been designated as Idoma Cultural Day, to be observed annually in celebration of Idoma heritage, language and values.