Matthew Opaluwa

Opaluwa was born into the Opaluwa Oguche Akpa royal family of the Aju Ameacho ruling house of Igala Kingdom. He is the ninth child of 16 surviving children and forth of the six male children of Chief Opaluwa Oguche. His mother was Mama Eke Opaluwa (née Edicha). ==Working career==

Opaluwa's working career began in 1988, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as an Administrative Officer. He then rose to the rank of deputy director, serving in many Local Government Areas of Kogi State, Nigeria, like Idah, Ofu, Ankpa, Bassa, Ibaji, Mopa/Amuro and Okene, as electoral officers. He later got transferred to the Kaduna State INEC Headquarters and made to take charge of the Transportation unit. While there, he also served as Electoral officer (E.O.) in Sabon Gari, Kajuru, Kaduna South, Kauru, and Kaduna North Local Government Areas, respectively. In July 2009, he again got transferred to the Katsina State INEC Headquarters where he was in-charge of the Research and Documentations unit and also served as the electoral officer, first at Dandume LGA, then transferred to Gwagwalada LGA, in the Federal Capital Territory during the 2011 general elections, after which he returned to Katsina State and served in Danja and Dutsinma Local Government Areas of the state up till the time of the 2015 Nigerian general elections. ==Enthronement==

The journey of Opaluwa's reign as the 28th Àtá Ígáláà began with his selection by the Ígáláà Traditional Council on 28 April 2021, as Attah-designate, and confirmed on 18 October 2021, following an official approval by the Kogi State Executive Council in Lokoja, the state capital, about a year after the demise of his predecessor, Attah Idakwo Ameh Oboni II in August 2020. He was, however, officially installed and presented the Staff of Office in a coronation ceremony held on Friday, 4 March 2022, at the Civic Center, Idah, Kogi State. The event was attended by royal dignitaries amongst which was the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. ==References==