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, Ozigi Mohammed Deedat, after the state Executive Council meeting on Monday, in Lokoja, the state capital.
Opaluwa’s appointment came 13 months 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.
Profile of Mathew Opaluwa
The new Attah started his early education at St. Boniface Primary School, Idah and obtained his first school leaving certificate in 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 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.
He went back to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and acquired a Masters (MBA) degree in Business Administration in the year 1997.
He worked with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1988 as an 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.
He was later transferred to Kaduna State INEC Headquarters and head of transport unit. He served in the following Local Government Areas as electoral officer in Sabon Gari, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Kauru and Kaduna North.
He was again transferred to Katsina State INEC Headquarters in July 2009 as head of research and documentation unit.
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 after 2011 general elections.
He was then moved to Katsina LGA in the same capacity during the 2015 general elections.
