Prince Mathew Opaluwa has been appointed as the new Attah of Igala.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello announced this on Monday through Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ozigi Mohammed Deedat, after the state Executive Council meeting.
Opaluwa’s appointment came after the demise of former Attah of Igala, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II, in August 2020.
Opaluwa’s appointment has put to rest more than one year political and surreptitious interest in the appointment of the new Attah of Igala.
The appointment came about 13 months after the the demise of the Dr. Michael Ameh Oboni II, the former Atta.
The late Dr. Oboni II had died at a private hospital, Abuja in August 2020 after a brief illness.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ozigi Mohammed Deedat made this announcement after the State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Lokoja on Monday.
The appointment of Attah Igala has become a subject of political and surreptitious interest, thereby dragged the development for more than one year.
The new Attah started his early education at St. Boniface Primary School, Idah and obtained his first school leaving certificate in the year, 1975.
He proceeded in the same year to St. Peter’s College, Idah and obtained his West African Schools Certificate (WASC) in 1980.
In 1981 he gained admission into the School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo and obtained “A” level papers in 1983. That same year, he gained admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired Bachelors of Science (B. Sc.) degree in Business Administration in 1986.
He did his National Youths Service (NYSC) assignment in Niger State and served at the State Board of Internal Revenue, 1986/87 service year successfully.
He went back to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired his Masters (MBA) degree in Business Administration in the year 1997
The cognate working experience started with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1988 as administrative officer and rose through ranks to the position of a Deputy Director.
He has served in many Local Governments Areas of Kogi State as Electoral Officer which include; Idah, Ofu, Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa, Ibaji, Mopa/Amuro, Ogori/Magongo, and Okene respectively.
He was later transferred to Kaduna State INEC Headquarters and put in charge of Transport Unit. Still in Kaduna State, he has served in the following Local Government Areas as Electoral officer (E.O) Sabon – Gari, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Kauru, & Kaduna North L.G.As respectively.
He was again transferred to Katsina State INEC Headquarters in July,2009 and was made to take charge of Research and documentation Unit.
There after, he was transferred to Dandume Local Government Area as Electoral Officer.
After 2011 general elections, he was seconded to Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT as Electoral officer.
He was transferred after back after the exercise to Katsina State and served in the following local government areas as Electoral Officer; Danja and Dutsinma respectively after 2011 general elections.
He was then moved to Katsina LGA in the same capacity during the 2015 general elections.
