The Ihima Welfare Association IWA, an umbrella town union of Ihima people in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi state, has announced a set of reforms including the reconstitution of its Board of Trustees BoT and regularizing its Corporate Affairs Commission CAC status for the first time in 24 years.
The association also presented a revised constitution for adoption and approved the long-delayed establishment of Ihima Day.
National President of IWA, Bello Omuya Abubakar, announced the developments on Tuesday at the Association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting held at the Civic Centre, Ohueta.
Abubakar said the 1999 constitution of the Association was no longer relevant and had been replaced following a “thorough, diligent and painstaking” review.
He also disclosed that the committee set up to actualize Ihima Day had completed its work, recommending that the annual celebration be scheduled around the Eche Ikuta festival. Proposed activities include cultural displays, prayer sessions, sports, symposium, awards and a book launch.
He named a three-member Publicity Committee including the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the state owned Graphic Newspaper, Comrade Y.J. Itopa! General Manager, Nigeria Television Authority NTA Okene, Pastor Paul Ohuei; and Mallam Rufai Mosuwa Yakubu, to handle awareness, and directed all clans to nominate two women each to support mobilization for the event.
The IWA President further revealed that the Association had settled all outstanding CAC annual returns, penalties and interest accumulated since 1999.
“Our Association is now fully compliant with CAC regulations,” he said. The update also necessitated the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees after it was confirmed that all previously registered members were deceased. The new board is chaired by Dr Phillips Omeiza Salawu, a former deputy governor of the state. Members include Prof. Ahmed Rufai Saliu, Mallam Abdulazeez Suberu Ogu, Dr. Engr. Muhammed Lawal, Hon. Abdulkareem Salihu, and Mr. Joseph Otori Ahutu.
Abubakar used the forum to clarify controversies regarding a ₦10 million donation announced during IWA’s recent visit to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo over the arrest of an Ihima youth. He said the money was given to the Local Government Chairman, not the Association, explaining that IWA can only account for the ₦1 million received from the council boss.
On security, Abubakar warned that farmers continued to face attacks and farmland destruction. He said the Hunters Association had pledged cooperation but needed logistics including vehicles and motorcycles. Residents leasing land or houses to strangers were urged to remain vigilant, particularly in communities experiencing sudden population growth.
The IWA President condemned the encroachment and sale of land belonging to public institutions, warning that those involved would face legal consequences.
He thanked the Association’s review committees, branches, traditional leaders and political stakeholders for their support and urged dormant branches, particularly those in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Minna, to become more active.
