THE Attah of Igala, Alhaji Dr Aliyu Obaje who died at the age of 102 has been buried according to Islamic rites at Idah.

The late first class ruler was buried on Tuesday afternoon, as hundreds of people besieged his palace.

The Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, at the burial ceremony, described the death of the late Attah of Igala as a painful loss to the people of the state.

He added that it came at a time when he was most needed by the state and the nation in general.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, at the funeral of the late ruler, lamented the demise, describing him as a bridge builder, reconciliator, peacemaker and one who worked tirelessly for the stability and unity of the state and the nation.

The governor described the 56-year reign of the late ruler as rewarding to the Igala people in particular, saying his tenure as chairman of the state Traditional Council, since the creation of the state, ensured that traditional institutions met the yearning and aspirations of their people concerning peace building, sustaining culture and tradition of the people across the state.

Capt Wada,stated that the late Royal father died at a time his administration needed his wisdom and counsel in achieving the transformation agenda, said the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill.

Earlier in his prayers,the chief Imam of Idah, Alhaji Yahaya Udale, prayed Allah to grant the Late Monarch eternal rest.

The funeral prayer which drew people from all works of life had representative from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Magaji Riyan, among other traditional rulers who prayed and eulogized the sterling qualities of the late royal father.

Adejoh Aliyu Obaje, son to the late Attah, described the late monarch as a symbol of unity assured that his good deeds will be emulated by the children he left behind.

Meanwhile, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has said that one of the enduring legacies of the late Attah of Igala, Alhaji Aliyu Obaje, was his commitment to education, modernity, peace and unity.

In a condolence message issued by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President recalled that, as one of the Northern leaders with early exposure to Western education, the late Attah worked tirelessly to bring his people in tune with the challenges of modernity.

He described the late Attah of Igala, Aliyu Obaje, as a rare traditional ruler, who embodied integrity and selflessness throughout his sojourn on earth.

“The late Attah Igala was known to have held his kingdom together and it is on record that there was no major crisis during his long reign, which spanned over a period of 56 years,” Atiku said.

The former vice president noted that, the late Attah of Igala lived a dignified life, which earned him respect and admirers across the country.

According to Atiku, the late traditional ruler never mortgaged the interests of his people for private gain, a virtue he said, made him to tower above the ordinary standard of integrity in our society.

Atiku also extolled Attah’s outstanding contributions to social harmony and peaceful coexistence among his people and other Nigerians.

As a first generation member of Ministers in the First Republic, Atiku recalled his contributions to national unity, spread of education and modernity.

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment