Attah of Igala, longest reigning monarch, dies at 102

BY Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Lokoja – Dr. Aliyu Ocheja Obaje, Attah of Igala, Nigeria’s longest reigning First Class traditional ruler, is dead, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State announced yesterday.
In the statement by Governor Wada, the Kogi State Government said Dr. Obaje died yesterday at the age of 102.
Obaje, who ascended the throne on November 2, 1956 was the paramount ruler of Igala, the dominant ethnic group in Kogi State and was chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council until
death.

Dr. Obaje was honoured with the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR and was appointed a minister without Portfolio by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello in the First Republic . He was also a member of two Constitutional Conferences in London in the build-up to Nigeria’s independence.

According to the governor: “The Attah was renowned for his quiet but effective administration of the traditional institution in the state and for his humble and humane disposition to the affairs of his people.
“The late Attah of Igala who was highly revered by his people, enjoyed wide spreadrelationships in various parts of Nigeria. A devoted Muslim, the late Attah is survived by his widows and many children, among whom is Chief Abdullahi Obaje, a National Ex-Officio member of Peoples Democratic Party. The Kogi State

Government is finalising burial arrangements with the family,” he disclosed yesterday.