Àlíì Ọ̀chẹ́ja Ọ̀bàjelistenⓘGCFR (1910 – 16 July 2012)[1] was the 26th Àtá Igala (paramount ruler) of the Igala Kingdom in Nigeria.[2] Obaje reigned for 56 years making him one of the longest serving monarch in Nigeria's history.[3]
Life and kingship
Born in 1910, Aliyu Obaje was the youngest person to be installed ah Àtá Ígáláà; he mounted the stool at the age of 36 on 2 November 1956 following the death of his predecessor Ameh Oboni I. Obaje ruled for 52 years before he died at the age of 102.[4] The Àtá's palace (the seat of power in the Igala Kingdom) is located in the ancient city of Idah.
He was one of the longest-serving monarchs in Nigeria. He has conferred on a large population of the Igala people traditional chieftaincy titles, including the title of Agenyi-Àtá of Igala Kingdom, bestowed on Chief Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN.[citation needed] Aliyu Obaje was the chairman of the Kogi State council of Traditional chiefs. He held the Nigerian national honour of GCFR (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic).[5]
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