Born on January 4, 1944, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, the Ohimegye of Opanda-Umaisha Chiefdom and chairman, Toto local government council of chief, is eighty years today. He is the great-great grandson of a legend, Ohimegye Negedu, the founder of Opanda dynasty in Nasarawa state.
Appointed Ohimegye on June 21, 1995 on a second-class status and presented staff of office by Colonel Mohammed Mana (rtd), HRH Abdullahi is the 28th in line of succession and has spent 29 years on the throne making him the longest serving monarch in the chiefdom’s history.
Even though he is not known for ostentatious celebration of his birthday anniversary, his family, subjects, friends, relations and colleagues will put on the proverbial dancing/royal shoes to mark today.
But why shouldn’t they celebrate a man who has continued to lead with fear of God? Indeed, the fact that God grants the Ohimegye good health, wisdom, and the support of his subjects both at home and in diaspora, calls for celebration. Ohimegye is one of the few traditional rulers in the state and the entire country who has attained 8 scrolls.
The royal father is a symbol of respect for the traditional institution. He has brought respect, grace, charm, simplicity to the institution in his locality, state and stands tall among the royal fathers in the country.
His royal highness working career started with the United Africa Company (UAC) in 1968 as Trainee-Supervisor where he rose through the ranks and became the Area Manager, Northern region and ended in 1977 when the then Military administrator of Plateau State, Air commodore Dan-Suleiman (late) appointed him Secretary, Plateau Investment Company, and later General Manager Plateau Supply Company. He also worked in some ministries as Secretary, Permanent Secretary, Director General among others. Ohimegye later resigned his appointment and resumed duty with his former employer at U.A.C in 1979. He was appointed Plateau state Commissioner for Health in 1994 by then Colonel Mohammed Mana, a position he held until his selection as the 28th Ohimegye Opanda in 1995 from Abutu ruling house.
The Ohimegye has continued to serve as a father to all and remains consistent in recognizing persons who distinguished themselves as a way of encouraging them to do more. I recall that on May 15, 2010, the monarch turbaned eight illustrious sons and daughters of Opanda Chiefdom with various traditional titles. The conferment cut across ethnic groups and religion with a Bassa man, Honourable Musa Mejida (JP) of blessed memory, turbaned as Wakilin Opanda; a Gbagyi woman, Ladi Musa, also of blessed memory as Sarauniyan Opanda and Alhaji Ali Maigoro from the Hausa community, honoured as the Katukan Opanda.
Fundamentally, the Royal father has been building bridges of friendships with other chiefdoms. When HRH Aguma of Oguma and Chairman traditional council Bassa local government, Kogi State, His Royal Highness J.D Kpongbo answered the call of his ancestors in 2012, Ohimege sent a delegation of his title holders on a condolence visit to Oguma. Also, at the presentation of staff of office to HRH Aguma Williams Keke Jimba on 16th August 2014, Ohimegye led an entourage that attended the ceremony at Oguma.
In 2011, the National President of Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU) Barrister Yusuf Wodi led a delegation of illustrious sons and daughters of Bassa ethnic group to Umaisha on royal homage to Ohimegye. The visit was a huge success as the palace of the royal father stood still with Opanda traditional title holders supporting Ohimegye who received his August visitors.
Also in 2012, flood ravaged the riverine communities of Kogi State, many of the fishermen that were affected as a result of the flood crossed to Umaisha for shelter; Ohimegye received and accommodated them irrespective of tribe or religion.
As should be expected, the revered traditional ruler has continued to receive commendation from different persons. A retired jurist of the supreme court, Justice Suleiman Galadima, in describing the Ohimegye, said: “he carries himself with such dignity characteristic of palace tradition and in consonance with his heritage”
In a similar manner, a retired Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice C.A.R. Momoh who Headed a Judicial Commission of inquiry in to the activities of Parastatals, statutory corporations, and government owned companies in the then Plateau State while Ohimegye served as Secretary of the commission on her part described the royal father as a man with “the tenderness of a lamb but with the heart of a lion” yet others see him as a “gentle dove”.
Ohimegye has always bare his mind on issues affecting the country. While speaking about the series of communal clashes, the revered monarch said “the communal clashes and tribal wars taking place in Nigeria and African countries in general is a calamity which must be properly addressed. We have to realize the fact that God who created us has destined that certain tribes have to live together in particular areas. We must therefore tolerate one another”.
His views on religion also exemplifies his perception about life. “We have to bear in mind that whatever religion we belong to, we have to respect other people’s religion as much as we respect ours and realize the fact that our faith is between us and our Creator so that we have the fear of God in our hearts”.
The monarch is also very patriotic. “We therefore have to be proud of our country. It is disheartening to hear some Nigerians saying bad things about the country. We must therefore be proud of our country and try to build its image instead of destroying it” he said while underscoring the need for patriotism, in one of his numerous speeches.
Even as we celebrate our father at 80, there is the need to reflect on the seemingly intractable Toto conflict. How can a group of people that lived together for years, suddenly take up arms against each other?
This conflict must end and dialogue is the best option to end it. Methinks the best birthday gift we can give Ohimegye is to collectively resolve to live in peace.
A passionate leader, the Ohimegye is always available within his domain attending to the needs of his subjects. As we celebrate this special day, we beseech almighty Allah to give him good health, strength and wisdom. Agaaba-Iddu!
