Och’Idoma Sounds Alarm on Cultural Erosion, Launches Global Idoma Heritage Revival
By Matthew Eloyi
The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, PhD, CON, has raised concern over growing threats to Idoma cultural heritage, declaring that celebration without protection could lead to cultural extinction if urgent action is not taken.
The royal father sounded the warning on December 23, 2025, while addressing a large gathering at the Idoma Cultural Day celebration, held as part of the Idoma International Carnival.
While describing the event as a moment of pride and renewal, the Och’Idoma stressed that insecurity, language erosion, cultural shame among youths, poor documentation and social media ridicule pose serious dangers to the survival of Idoma identity.
“Insecurity has displaced communities, disrupted festivals and scattered custodians of culture. Where there is fear, culture retreats,” the monarch warned, adding that many Idoma children, especially in the diaspora, are now growing up without knowledge of the Idoma language, greetings and proverbs.
He decried what he described as increasing cultural avoidance, where some young people distance themselves from Idoma names, attire and customs in search of misplaced validation.
“Culture dies when its children apologise for it,” he declared.
To confront these challenges, the Och’Idoma announced a comprehensive cultural revival framework anchored on language restoration, youth engagement, unity of institutions and systematic documentation of Idoma heritage.
As part of the response, he directed that Idoma language learning must become a duty in homes, churches, associations and diaspora groups, with weekend language classes to be deliberately established.
The monarch also emphasised the need to restore pride through excellence, urging the celebration of Idoma achievers and cultural service as marks of prestige.
On institutional reform, the Och’Idoma cautioned against rivalry and fragmentation among cultural platforms, insisting that culture cannot survive ego-driven competition. He called for alignment of programmes and messaging so that the Idoma Nation speaks with “one clear voice.”
A major highlight of the address was the formal declaration of December 23 as Idoma Day, to be observed annually worldwide, with activities beginning from December 21 and climaxing at the Och’Idoma Palace.
He announced plans to upgrade and rebrand the Palace Square to international standards to serve as the permanent cultural hub for Idoma celebrations, appealing to well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies and partners to support the project.
In a move aimed at ensuring sustainability, the monarch unveiled the Idoma Cultural Endowment Fund, designed to provide stable financing for cultural troupes, artisans, documentation, language initiatives, youth programmes and cultural centres across Idoma land.
“Culture must not depend on last-minute goodwill. Culture must have a stable financial foundation,” he said.
The Och’Idoma further announced the creation of the Royal Order of Cultural Merit and Palace Roll of Honour to recognise individuals and groups that have made outstanding contributions to cultural preservation, particularly in the diaspora.
He also disclosed plans for a unified Idoma cultural brand and insignia to protect symbols, motifs and ceremonial protocols from misrepresentation, alongside the introduction of cultural competitions in primary and secondary schools.
On cultural diplomacy, the monarch said Idoma cuisine, led by Okoho soup and Okpehe seasoning, would be promoted globally through food festivals, documentation and cultural exchange programmes.
The royal father also acknowledged positive cultural cooperation with other ethnic groups, particularly the Tiv and Ondo kingdoms, describing such engagements as bridges of peace, respect and mutual progress.
He used the occasion to commend the leadership of Ochetoha K’Idoma, led by Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, as well as Chief Dr Edwin Ochai, President of the Idoma Association in the USA, for sustaining the Idoma International Carnival for over a decade.
In a firm directive, the Och’Idoma called for all branches of Ochetoha K’Idoma worldwide to operate under one harmonised name and identity to strengthen unity and global recognition.
Concluding his address, the monarch urged Idoma sons and daughters to defend their heritage with dignity, resist ridicule, and embrace cultural renewal as a collective responsibility.
“Let this Cultural Day restore language, protect heritage and announce to Nigeria and the world that the Idoma Nation stands firm,” he declared.
