Stop Parading Yourself As Etsu Nupe, Lokoja Traditional Council, Nupe Stakeholders Tells Self-Proclaimed Etsu Nupe, Mr. Shelika Emmanuel Dauda
By Abubakar Suleman
The traditional title holders and Nupe stakeholders in lokoja local government area, led by the Mayaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Ali Jiya Lawal has warned the self acclaimed traditional ruler, Mr. Shelika Emmanuel Dauda not to describe himself as Etsu Nupe of Lokoja .
This came after Mr. Shelika repeatedly referred to himself as a “Etsu Nupe of Lokoja in all his outings and events attended.
In a press conference addressed by the Mayaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Lawal, noted that the traditional council in lokoja wish to inform the media that the Lokoja Traditional council never had any title called Etsu Nupe in the history of old Kwara and present kogi state, saying anybody claiming to be is impersonating and should be disregarded.
Also, addressing Newsmen on Thursday, Rajab Naibi Dan Maje of Lokoja & Secretary, Waziri Hasken Nupe Chairman and Barr. Sayadi Abubakar Ebaiya Secretary, Nupe Community Lokoja, the group said they are challenging Mr. Emmanuel Dauda Shelika who recently proclaimed himself as traditionabl ruler with the title of “Etsu Nupe Lokoja stressing that he appointed himself, unilaterally.
“We need to alert the people on this development , and inform you all about the clarification for the sake of the public and to the knowledge of the fourth estate of the realm,” he said.
Lokoja traditional council community warned Shelika against using the title Etsu Nupe, saying that nobody from Lokoja or Bassa local government areas was turbaned as Etsu Nupe in Lokoja, urged him not to be decorous in his pursuit of recognition so as not to undermine the peace currently reining in the state.”
The kingmakers accused Shelika of “embarrassing the people and state government” in pursuit of recognition for a stool that never exist.
“It is unfortunate that this man that is seeking recognition from kogi State Government is still going here and there to embarrass this present government.
“According to history in Lokoja local government area before and now, nothing like Etsu Nupe existed apart from Maigari Of Lokoja”,
“Maigari Of Lokoja is the paramount ruler and chairman of Lokoja traditional council and he is the only recognised person by kogi State government right now.”
“We will continue to appeal to our people to continue to maintain peace in Lokoja local government area, we have all tribes in Lokoja local government area, Nupe, Hausa and other tribes, we therefore call on the state government to quickly intervene and call the self-proclaimed Etsu Nupe to order.
“Mr. Emmanuel Shellka had neither sought nor obtained our prior consent before he formed an association known as “Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Association” with which he has been collecting donations from his unsuspecting victims, purportedly on our behalf, but quite certainly without our knowledge”,
“Shelika has been transmitting his personal opinion to government with the letterhead papers of that association just to create a false impression that it is the collective opinion of the Nupe Natives/ indigenes of Lokoja. It is for that reason that we, the Nupe indigenes of Lokoja, have written several letters to the government and relevant agencies from the year 2023 to date to create awareness of his mischievous activities and motives”,
But fortunately enough, those activities were promptly suspended by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Lokoja Local Government council with the collaboration of the security agencies, at various times, in the overall interest of peace in the state. We sincerely appreciate the government for always taking measures “.
“We, therefore, advise Shelika to comply with the order of Lokoja Local Government council which stops him from parading himself as a traditional ruler and should also stop presenting himself to tourists as custodian of the historical monuments in Lokoja or even soliciting or receiving money for maintaining them, in his interest”.
