I, Chief Abu Ikharo the fourth son of the late Chief Ikharo Ikelebe was born in about 1880, into the family of Ikharo Ikelebe when Idao Ikelebe was the Otaru of Auchi Town. Within that period, when a boy was between nineteen and twenty years of age, it was the duty of the parents to be sure of the boy’s ability to move with his mates before informing the rest of the family of the family of their intention to initiate the boy into the first cultural step of manhood celebration called “ITSEBA GBAMA” age group. The duty of this group was to clean up all the roads leading to the town and to construct new ones where necessary. The next year, this group will move a step forward into another group called “ISOMHI – GBAMA” age group, whose duty also was to clean round the markets of the town. Members of this group maintained their status for at least one year before they were called upon to celebrate their full manhood or age group together with the celebration of “EKHAI” ceremony. In about 1901, it was resolved that “UMHAKHAKPOGHOMAI” age group would be the last age group to be celebrated with the celebration of “EKHAI” ceremony, as Islam had gained ground in Auchi.
In about 1903, my age group called “UKMAEKHANAMAOYA” celebrated her manhood ceremony know as “OMORUA – OGBOMHI” with performing “EKHAI” ceremony and by this anybody from the group is regarded fit to lead and be led in any community. Soon after the ceremony, my senior cousin, Chief Momoh Idao, the then Dania of Auchi, in consultation with his uncle, Chief Ikharo Ikelebe appointed me as a Community Leader. In 1904, I led my senior age group community called “UMHAEKHANIEMHAI” to Fugan (Avianwu) to take part in building the first native court that was newly transferred then from Iddo in Okpilla Clan.
In 1914, my father and his nephew, Chief Momoh Idao, jointly sent me to Idah for the payment of Abu Idao’s (also known as Abu-Idah) and Momodu Parker Ikharo’s school fees. At Idah, I was conscripted into the army for World War I, but was later released the same year. In 1919, my father died and Chief Momoh Idao delegated me to make the report to the District Officer for Mr. C. M. Dunn who was stationed at Fugar. It was the same year that Chief Momoh Idao was appointed the Otaru of Auchi, and he made me a member of his palace.
In 1920, I took charge of all the laborers from Fugar, Uzairue, South Ibie and Ikpeshi towns which was then known as Auchi District, that were sent here in connection with the building of the Administrative Offices, the Clerks quarters, and the Divisional Officer’s houses when Auchi was made the Divisional Headquarters for the then Kukuruku Division. In 1921, I supervised the building of His Majesty’s Prison Department in Auchi, and in 1922 I also supervised the building of Auchi Government School, which was transferred from Aroko in Owan Local Government Council to Auchi.
In 1924, I again took charge of all the laborers from Fugar, Uzairue, South Ibie, and Ikpeshi, which was then known as Auchi District in constructing and maintaining all the roads linking Auchi with her neighboring town and villages on free but forced labor. But from 1927 to 1929, I was awarded contracts for the building of the then U.A.C. and the John Holts Companies in Auchi respectively.
In 1932,m I again supervised the construction of the then Horse Race that established here by an Assistant Divisional Officer in person of late Captain J. G. Pykenott. In 1933, I submitted myself as an Arabic Scholar to late Mallam (Imam) Isa Bawa Abubakar from Hadeja and read the Holy Koran within a short period. Later, accompanied by D. H. Momoh Idao, the 6th Otaru of Auchi, to quell the riot at Okpekpe North Ibie in which one Chief Adoda and a police constable were killed. That same year (1934), I was awarded a contract to rebuild Auchi Government School on its present site.
In 1936, I was a member of the Committee with Otaru Momoh where a number of hunters were delegated to lead Mr. Hoslop on a hunting expedition and he was given the title of Ogie-Osua by the Otaru. The same year (1936), I had a contract of building the C. M. S. School in Auchi. In 1939, I took part in conscripting men into the army during World War II. In 1941, I got another contract to rebuild the Divisional Officer’s House that was bunt by an unknown person.
In 1941, I led the Auchi community in building the N. A. School, now known as “EKHAVBERE” Primary School South Ibie – Iyakpi. In 1950 to 1971, I was appointed a tax collector in Afeosudo kindred in Usogun Village Auchi. I later appealed to Auchi Authority that I be relieved from being a community leader, as age and family responsibilities were weighing heavily on me. In 1972, I was recognized as the most senior Prince in the whole of Ikelebe ruling family in Auchi. In 1982, I moved another step forward when I was again recognized as the most senior male in the whole of Usogun Village, a post which nobody from Ikelebe ruling family has ever attained.
With the present position of seniority in Auchi Town, I now call upon all well wishers to join me in giving thanks to Allah who spared my life to achieve all that I have enumerated above. I voluntarily made up my mind to acquaint the oncoming younger generations with the patter of life I had led from boyhood to my present old age.
Long live Auchi in general and the Ikelebe family in particular.
Chief Abu Ikharo
The Yamah of Afeosudo
Usogun, Village of Auchi