Aliyu Obaje

Àlíì Ọ̀chẹ́ja Ọ̀bàje listen^ⓘ 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]

Àtá (Dr.) Àlíì Ọ̀chẹ́ja Ọ̀bàje(GCFR)
His Eminence
Monarch of Igala Kingdom Àtá Ígáláà
In office	2 November 1956 – 16 July 2012
Predecessor	Àtá Akpoli Umaru Ameh Oboni I
Successor	Àtá Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II
Born	1910
Died	16 July 2012(2012-07-16) (aged 101–102)
Burial	Idah
Spouse	Hawa Obaje
Issue	Kabba Ali Obaje Abdullahi Adejo Obaje Hadiza Obaje
Names Àlíì Ọ̀chẹ́ja Ọm Òtúlúkpé Ọ̀bàje
House	Aju Ákwùmábì- Ìtódó Ádùgà branch
Father	Òtúlúkpé Ọ̀bàje
Mother	Alamii
Religion	Islam
Occupation	• Àtá Ígáláà

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]

Demise

He died on 16 July 2012.^[6][7][8][9]