THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: ATTAH OF IGALA DIES AT 102

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.

The word Attah means 'Father' and the full title of the ruler is 'Attah Igala', meaning, the Father of Igalas (the Igala word for King is Onu).

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.

Well reports have it that when the Attah was still alive, he was known to be always leaving the country to change his blood; he was said to be really healthy.


According to sources, 7 people will be buried alive with the Attah, as that is their culture as reports have it. And yet again reports have it that the next Attah is close to 70 yrs old or thereabout.


MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.