Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu delivered the message at the annual Igede Agba Festival in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The festival, a major cultural event among the Igede people, the third-largest ethnic group in Benue marks the yam harvest season and celebrates their agricultural heritage.

Akume praised traditional rulers for their role in maintaining stability and addressing local challenges, calling the institution “a veritable tool for solving developmental and sundry issues.”

He commended the Igede Traditional Council for preserving cultural values that promote unity and social cohesion. He also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s efforts in Benue, including federal appointments and the award of the Oju–Ogoja road construction contract.

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Responding, the Adiharu of Igede, Oga Ero, thanked the president for recognising the community and approving long-awaited infrastructure projects. He said the road, which had posed challenges for years, would now bring relief to the people.

The Igede Agba Festival served as both a cultural celebration and a platform for reinforcing the relevance of traditional institutions in grassroots governance, particularly in regions affected by insecurity.

By engaging traditional leaders, the federal government aims to strengthen local structures that contribute to peace-building, cultural preservation, and inclusive development.

Source: Punch