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The maiden induction ceremony, held in Abuja as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration, recognised distinguished personalities for their contributions to public service, religion, law, governance, culture and national development.
Prominent Nigerians, including the founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; legal luminary, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN; former Minister of Information, the late Chief Wantaregh Paul Unongo; and Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, have been inducted into the Idoma Hall of Fame.
The personalities were among distinguished individuals recognised at the maiden induction ceremony of the Idoma Hall of Fame (IHOF), held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Peach Vine Event Centre, Wuye, Abuja.
The event formed part of activities marking the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration and brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, academics, professionals, religious leaders, cultural icons and members of the Idoma community to celebrate outstanding achievements and preserve the history of the Idoma people.
Other notable personalities recognised include former Senate President, Senator David Mark; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; legendary musician, Dr Bongos Ikwue; music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba; former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr Sam Ode; former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr James Abu Obe; former Supreme Court Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe; and former Minister of Education, Dr Grace Ooja Ogwuche.
The inductees cut across different fields, including governance, law, academia, religion, medicine, military service, journalism, entertainment, sports and cultural preservation.
Wike: Idoma contributions to Nigeria must be celebrated
Delivering the keynote address, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, called for greater recognition of the contributions of the Idoma people to Nigeria’s development, describing them as an integral part of the country’s national heritage.
Wike said the history of the Idoma people should not be told merely through grievances, exclusion or demands for recognition, but also through the contributions of their sons and daughters to the building of Nigeria.
“The Idoma people are part of that story, not merely as claimants to recognition, but as contributors to the national inheritance,” he said.
The minister commended the establishment of the Hall of Fame, describing it as more than an institution for remembering past accomplishments. He said it should also help establish standards for future generations by celebrating individuals whose achievements demonstrate service, integrity, scholarship, innovation, enterprise and sacrifice.
“When we honour service, courage, scholarship, innovation, integrity, enterprise, cultural preservation, and sacrifice, we send a very different message: true achievement is measured not merely by what one acquires, but by what one contributes,” Wike said.
He urged the Idoma people to use the initiative to preserve their heritage and inspire younger generations to pursue excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.
Calls for leadership based on performance
Wike also used the occasion to call for a shift from politics driven by ethnic identity, religious affiliation and the struggle for political positions to one focused on competence, accountability and service delivery.
He argued that political representation alone could not guarantee development, noting that citizens ultimately judge leadership by its impact on their daily lives.
“Representation matters, but representation cannot be the destination; it must be a pathway to public value and competent service delivery in politics,” he said.
According to him, the value of political power should be measured by its ability to provide employment, functional schools, accessible healthcare, good roads, security and economic opportunities.
The minister challenged aspiring political leaders, particularly those seeking to govern Benue State, to explain what they intended to offer the people rather than relying on arguments about ethnic majority or minority status.
“You who want to become governor of Benue State, what do you have to offer? It should not be about whether you belong to the majority or minority. What matters is who can provide roads, build schools, make our health centres work, and provide security,” he said.
Wike maintained that Nigeria’s diversity should be treated as a resource for national development rather than a source of division, urging leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens over sectional interests.
Hall of Fame to preserve Idoma history
The Idoma Hall of Fame was established to document, preserve and celebrate the achievements of distinguished sons and daughters of Idoma land whose contributions have brought recognition to the community within Nigeria and internationally.
Founder and Executive Director of the initiative, Engr. Agaba Ikwue, said the institution was conceived to ensure that the accomplishments of outstanding Idoma personalities were properly documented and preserved for future generations.
The initiative is also intended to provide a platform for cultural preservation, historical research and education, while inspiring younger people through the examples of accomplished individuals.
In the lead-up to the ceremony, the organisers said the Hall of Fame would recognise achievements across professional and cultural fields, including governance, academia, science and technology, medicine, military service, diplomacy, journalism, sports, entertainment and traditional culture.
The Advisory Board is chaired by retired Justice Ejembi Eko, while the Central Planning Committee for the maiden induction was chaired by Chief Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN. The initiative was organised in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.
Women and cultural pioneers recognised
The induction also recognised women whose achievements opened doors in public service, education, law, healthcare, politics and entertainment.
Among them was Alice Alache Akla Adepe, Miss Nigeria 1963, whose achievement is recognised as a historic milestone for women of Idoma extraction.
Dr Grace Ooja Ogwuche, the first female Federal Minister from Idoma land, was also inducted. She was represented at the ceremony by Barr. David Mike Agada, who delivered her acceptance speech on her behalf.
Other women recognised included former federal lawmaker Ada Mark-Ogbole, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, Hon. Justice Patricia Ajuma Mahmoud, Rev. Sister Anne Abah and the late actress Ada Ameh.
The recognition of these women highlighted their contributions to public administration, the legal profession, education, healthcare, legislative representation and the creative industry.
The Hall of Fame also recognised the legacies of traditional rulers who shaped the history and leadership of the Idoma Kingdom, alongside personalities whose contributions helped preserve the community’s cultural identity.
