Ebira people from the central senatorial district of Kogi state were Sunday thrown into mourning following the demise of their paramount ruler and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Ibrahim. OYIBO SALIHU writes on the monarch’s sojourns and tributes in his honour.
His background
The late monarch was one of the revered monarchs in northern Nigeria with a palace that can best be adjudged as one of the best in the entire country.
His Royal Majesty ascended the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland on the 2nd of June 1997 following the demise of the former occupant Alhaji Muhammad Sanni Omolori who reigned from 1957 to 1997.
During his life time, the widely respected monarch was variously described as a living legend by many of his subjects, which gave a lot of image booster to the Ebira ethnic nationality both at home and abroad.
The death of Ado Ibrahim on Sunday 29th of October, 2023 marked the end of his 26-year reign as the paramount ruler of Ebira kingdom.
Apparently, as an esteemed monarch, His Royal Majesty played a pivotal role in fostering unity, peace and development within the district.
His dedication to promoting education, healthcare and socio-economic progress positively impacted countless lives, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come, as his wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support will be sorely missed by his people.
He was able to utilise his period as Ohinoyi to enshrine peaceful coexistence between Ebira people and other ethnic groups in Kogi Central Senatorial District aside his effort at ensuring that traditional stools were upgrade to give the traditional rulers sense of belonging.
Born on February 7, 1929, Ado Ibrahim was the fourth traditional ruler and the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland with its headquarters in Okene, Kogi state, situated in the North-central Nigeria.
Education
He was the son of the second Attah (now Ohinoyi) of Ebiraland, Ibrahim Onoruoiza, from the Omadivi family, who reigned from 1917 to 1954.
Ibrahim’s journey began on February 7, 1929. His educational path encompassed a fusion of Western and Quranic education.
He commenced his primary education in 1940 at the Native Authority (NA) primary school in Okene, Northern Region (now Kogi state).
Subsequently, he pursued his secondary education at Ondo Boys High School before transferring to Oduduwa College, where he graduated in 1949. In 1954, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, followed by a Masters Degree from Harvard Business School in 1959.
Following the demise of Ohinoyi Sanni Omolori of the Oziada clan in 1997, Ado Ibrahim, a Lagos-based entrepreneur and son of the second paramount ruler of Ebiraland, ascended the Okene throne as the second Ohinoyi or the fourth independent traditional ruler of Ebiraland on June 2, 1997.
An exceptional achievement during his reign was the construction of the Azad Palace, named in honor of one of his sons, widely acclaimed as one of the most stunning palaces in West Africa.
One of Ibrahim’s children, Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim, emerged as the presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) January 7, 2023, signaling a remarkable extension of his family’s influence in Nigerian politics.
In an insightful interview during his 93 birthday, the late Ohinoyi shared numerous aspects of his life and personality, offering valuable insights into the man behind the regal title.
Tributes
In his condolence message, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo said the late Ohinoyi was a father who loved all his children, did everything to unite his community and promoted peaceful coexistence among his people.
In the condolence message, the APC candidate personally signed and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, Sunday, Ododo described the death of the Ohinoyi as a personal loss to him and prayed that Allah grants the late paramount ruler eternal rest.
He therefore enjoined the people of Ebira land to continue to live in peace among one another as they grapple with the irreparable loss with fortitude.
In a similar message, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, described the Ohinoyi’s demise as a calamity to the people of the state.
He said the passing of the monarch “has robbed the state of the most brave, courageous, honest, forthright and God fearing leader who worked tirelessly for the unity of the people of the state.”
In a statement by spokesman and director, communications, Muri/Sam gubernatorial Campaign Council Sunday, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, Ajaka said: “Our father is leaving at a time the state desperately needs his unifying guidance and wisdom to keep strengthening us as one indivisible people.
“This death is a calamity to Kogi state and indeed Nigeria as a nation. Ado represented that last rare breed of valiant elders who will never shield the truth no matter the threat or reward for doing so.
“He will be remembered as the king who brought glamour, panache, pomp, and pageantry never before seen in these shores to royalty.”
Speaking on the death of the royal father, a human rights activist, Chief Haruna Osike described the late monarch as a ruler who has the interest of his people at heart at all time.
Osike said before ascending the throne, there were several clan chiefs across the state that remained unclassified for decades, but his effort made them to be virtually classified as third, second and even first class chiefs as the case may be.
“The Ohinoyi used his reign to promote Ebira culture where it is being observed every year peacefully without crises. The late royal father exposed many of his subjects to the business of mining to earn livelihoods and he always fought for the cause of Ebira people.
“He is a lover of education and has assisted many less- privilege in the state with scholarship both within the country and broad to advance their studies”
Osike said since mounting the throne, the late monarch’s desire was to see an Ebira person govern Kogi state as executive governor during his reign, noting that God granted him the prayer with Governor Yahaya Bello who is at the verge of completing his second tenure before the death of the monarch.
He added that the performance of Governor Bello in terms of infrastructure development are there in central senatorial district for people to see.
Also in his heartfelt condolences, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) said the monarch died at the remarkable age of 95, and exemplified wisdom, grace, and dedication throughout his reign.
KONGINET, through its chairperson, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, said his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the progress and well-being of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, had left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
It said the first class traditional ruler’s reign was characterized by a deep sense of responsibility, compassion, and a genuine desire to uplift and empower his subjects.
“His wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support will be sorely missed, but his teachings and achievements will continue to inspire and guide us.
“During this time of mourning, we stand in solidarity with the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District and the people of Kogi State. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the royal family, the chiefs, the elders, and all who had the privilege of working closely with His Royal Majesty. May you find solace in the memories of his remarkable life and the profound impact he made during his reign.
“As we bid farewell to a true visionary and leader, let us honor the memory of His Royal Majesty Dr. Ado Ibrahim by upholding the values he cherished and continuing his legacy of progress, unity, and compassion. Let us stand together in this time of grief, supporting one another and preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditions that he championed.
“On behalf of the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), we offer our heartfelt condolences once again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May His Royal Majesty Dr. Ado Ibrahim’s soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement said.
