User:Kambai Akau/Matthew Opaluwa

Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche is the 28th Attah Igala (paramount ruler) of the Igala Kingdom in Nigeria.

Life and education
Opaluwa was born into the Opaluwa Oguche Akpa royal family of the Aju Ameacho ruling dynasty 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 (nee Edicha).

Young Opaluwa's educational journey began in 1975 at St. Boniface Primary School, Idah, obtaining a first school leaving certificate at completion, thereafter proceeding to St.Peter’s College Idah, where he enrolled for and passed the West African Schools Certificate (WASC) examination in 1980. In 1981, following his father's advise, he sought for and got admitted into the School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo, obtaining an A-level certificate in 1983. He proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in the same year, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in Business Administration. He thereafter served in the one-year compulsory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Niger State in 1987. He would later, in 1997, return to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to obtain a Masters degree (MBA) in Business Administration.

Working career
Opaluwa's working career began in 1988, with 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.

Kingship
The journey of Opaluwa's reign as the 28th Attah Igala began with his selection by the Igala Traditional Council on April 28, 2021, as Attah-designate, and confirmed on October 18, 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, March 4, 2022, at the Civic Center, Idah, Kogi State. Their event was attended by royal dignitories amongst which was the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.