By Nahum Sule (Taraba State Correspondent, in Jalingo)
The Kingmakers of Wukariland in Taraba State known as 'Kunvyi' Manu Irimiya .D. Agbu, at the weekend, installed Manu Ishaku Ada Ali as the 25th Aku-uka of the Kwararafa Kingdom, following his selection by the four Kingmakers said to be guided by the Supreme Oracle.
The coronation of the new paramount ruler of the jukuns took place in a well attended ceremony at "Puje", a reserved area where all traditional and spiritual activities of the Jukunoid takes place.
It could be recalled that the Wukari Traditional Council had on Friday 14th January, 2022, held 'Pankya' the official transition of former Aku Uka, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi Kuvyu 11, who joined his ancestors in October last year. The traditional event of Friday, January 28, 2022, was the selection and crowning of his successor in person of Manu Ishaku Ada Ali, within two weeks period of his exit.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondent in Taraba State who was at the occasion, reports that "Pankya" is the selection, crowning and oath taking of the new Aku-Uka.
The two days programme commenced on Friday with the arrival of Princes, Waziris and well wishers (only male) at 9.am from Bye-Vyi through Kuntsa to Puje where the new Aku would the spend the night before entering Wukari town on Saturday, January 29, 2022.
Our Correspondent also reports that the new Aku-Uka took his oath of allegiance at 1.30 pm at Kuntsa, a land believed to be the land of the immortals. This was the reason why women are deprived from entering Kuntsa and Nando. Only the men with traditional titles matched in a long procession from Bye-vyi to Kuntsa where the Jukun paramount ruler took his oath of allegiance.
He was followed by a long procession of 19 Kilometres, with the crowned Aku to Puje where Son's, Daughter's of the Kwararafa Kingdom, dignitaries and VIPs who already assembled and welcomed the new Aku Uka with song and sporadic traditional ceremonial gunshots.
The Aku arrived Puje at 4:30 Pm on a white Horse with a procession of "Akye" lead by Princes and some tittle holders known as the red necks. Ishaku, the new ruler of Wukari addressed his subjects, saying, "I appreciate you all my subjects for your resilience and show of love. I solicit your support and cooperation to enable me succeed on this Throne. Let me also use this opportunity to call on my fellow contestants to this position to please join hands with me in moving this Kingdom to the greater heights because all of us cannot assent this Throne at the same time".
The new Aku Uka however thanked the Taraba State Governor, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku for going by the laid down traditional rules to ensure that the new ruler emerged and that the event was successful.
The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Istifanus Gbana, expressed satisfaction on the success of the event and charging the new Aku-Uka to work towards bringing peace and unity to the Jukun land. He also adding that the selection process was purely a traditional affair without the interference of the government.
The new Aku is the the Son of the 23rd Aku-Uka Ada Ali Agbumanu who reigned from (1974-1976). He is from the Bama ruling House.
The new Aku Uka, Manu Ishaku Ada Ali was born on 24th, March, 1946. He holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Forestry in 1986 from the Premier Federal College of Forestry Jos, Plateau state. He joined the Civil service in 1965 and retired in the year 2000 as Chief Forestry Superintendent after 35 years of meritorious service.
According to the release signed by the Press Secretary to the Wukari Traditional Council, Mr. Agbu Jolly, the new Aku-Uka's truimphant entry into Wukari town from Puje alongside his wife and Wukuku, one of the former Aku's wife, is slated for tomorrow Saturday January 29, 2022. NNL.
