In a statement issued in Abuja today, Jonathan remarked on Dr. Obaje’s long and eventful stewardship of the traditional affairs of the Igala people, and his contributions to the social and political development of Kogi State and Nigeria for which he received the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, died.
Obaje died in his palace in Idah yesterday on at the age of 102. He became the 26th Attah Igala in 1956 and had served for 56 years.
In his lifetime, he was a minister in the Northern Region Government headed by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. He was also a member of two constitutional conferences in London in the build-up to Nigeria’s Independence.
He was appointed the Chairman of Kogi Council of Traditional Chiefs in 1992, a position he held until his death. He was also the Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
President Jonathan also expressed his sympathy to the family of the king and the people of Igala Kingdom.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said 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 had worked tirelessly to bring his people in tune with the challenges of modernity.
He described the late Attah of Igala 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.
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