Ocheja Obaje ALIYU

Traditional Ruler

Biography Entry: MHC, CON, MINISTER WITHOUT PORFOLIO, CHANCELLOR, UNILAG Mallam Aliyu Obaje was bom into the Akumabi rulingfamily of the Itodo Aduga Igala ruling House in Idah in 1920. He did his Elementary Education in the Government Schools Idah and Dekina respectively between 1928and1938. He thenproceedto the OkeneMiddle Schoolforfurtherstudiesin 1938 andin 1939hewentto the ClericalCollege, Zaria nowlnstitute ofAdministration ofABUZariaforadvancedstudiesin Clericalduties. The Prince who was now aman of distinguishedpersonality and learning,joinedthe Northern elitegroup of Teachersworking both athome andlaterin the Kaduna ClericalCollege. Healso distinguishedhimself asanAccountant andAdministrator. Because of his education, resourcefulness and integrity, he was appointed by the Igala Kingmakers Igalamela as theAttah of Igala thatis theparamount rulerof Igalalandandinstalledon the 24* of November 1956 andby 1957hadattainedthe First Classstatus. Afterhis installation, theNorth RegionalGovernmentappointedhim MinisterwithoutPortfolio thus becoming one of the distinguishedmen of honourwith the responsibility of consolidating theNorthern hegemony. Alhaji Aliyu Obaje, member of the Northern House of Chiefs, was a Special Adviser to the Northern delegation to the Independence Talks atLancasterHouse, London in 1957and…