I had of the very sad, heart breaking news of his majesty demise with a rude shock in the early hour of Sunday 29th October, 2023. It happened with a bang on all of us. His majesty unexpected exit at this time, to say the least, is the most unbearable, shocking and unbelievable. The sudden death of HRM, king Ado Ibrahim CON, came to all of us with great grief, surprise and pain.
I bear true testimony to the facts about His majesty (HM), King Ado Ibrahim as a great monarch, a mentor and revered royal father of impeccable principles, who inspired countless individuals and organizations.
Meanwhile, many people have described his majesty as a remarkable king whose unwavering dedication to acts of kindness and good deeds impacted greatly on a lot of people across the globe. We all testify to his majesty godliness and selfless service to Almighty Allah, humanity and Ebira community. He was a true lover of Almighty God and humanity and this translated in his unwavering commitments to religious and communal activities as well as his readiness to support and assist all who came across him.
His Majesty was humane, sociable, amiable, kind and straight forward ruler. His love for Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists knows no bound as it was very glaring with his cordial relationships.
His Royal Majesty, Alh. Dr. King Ado Ibrahim, CON. Sponsored me to Jerusalem in state of Israel, in the year 2014 for Holy pilgrimage after he had conferred on me a chieftaincy title of THE AMETUO OF EBIRA LAND in the year 2004 as a mark of honour. The literary meaning of “AMETUO” is someone who contributes to the development of the society. The historic investiture took place on the 24th December, 2004, at the famous throne House, AZAD Palace, Okene, Kogi State Nigeria, which was well attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life.
His Majesty fought relentlessly for the emancipation and liberation of Ebira people at home and in the Diaspora. He single handedly restored the banned Ebira cultural festivals by successive military Governments in Kwara state for several years. He was instrumental to the recognition, grading and upgrading of some Ebira Traditional Chiefs by the first military administrator of Kogi State in 1991. Also, His Majesty installed HRH, Alh. Ametinigongo, (an Anebira) as Ohinoyi-uteyin (Onu-Ajaokuta) when the stool was vacant under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Abubakar Audu the former Governor of Kogi State.
During the struggle for Kogi state’s creation, His Majesty donated Twenty five (25) new brand vehicles and six (6) motorcycles to the committee set up by Ebira People Association (EPA), in order to ease the movements, of the committee members across Nigeria. HRM, King Ado Ibrahim CON was the chairman of the committee that produced Blue-Print for economic development and prosperity of Kogi State when created newly in 1991. The committee was constituted and inaugurated by then, the Military Administrator of Kogi State, His Excellency, Col. Danladi M. Zakari, on 30th September, 1991.
His Majesty was known to be a universal philanthropist per excellence. He donated one million pound to the Association of common wealth universities education endowment funds launched in 1987 in England, through his Ado Ibrahim foundation. His highest donation to the funds prompted Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, to host him and his wife to a special dinner party at Her Majesty Buckingham palace, London on 3rd November, 1998. Her majesty doubled as grand patron to the universities of British Commonwealth.
Nigeria Universities, Associations and Individuals, also benefited from King Ado Ibrahim Foundation. The beneficiary Universities included University of Nsuka, University of Benin, University of Jos and University of Lagos respectively. Ado Ibrahim Foundation gives endowment, grants, financial aids and scholarship awards to the needy globally.
While on the revered throne of Ebira Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Ado Ibrahim, CON established Kogi central people council (KCPC) that metamorphosed to Kogi Central People Community Development Centre, (KCPCDC) with 15 strategic standing committees for socio-economic development of Kogi Central, which was duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). I was privileged to serve as secretary in the Employment and Youth Empowerment Committee and member in other committees.
His Majesty, was a Grand patron to DE-Greater Height Front, DE-GHF (World Wide), a socio – cultural club that, fosters unity, peace and progress of Ebira land in particular, kogi state and Nigeria at large.
He was a Great Monarch that, displayed high sense of responsibility with his subjects and Palace expositors both in character and his daily relationship with many visitors.
His Majesty was a successful business tycoon, hard working, virtuous, disciplined and versatile in all aspects of life. HRM exhibited high intelligence in all his endeavors. He was an epitome of love, boldness, forthrightness, fairness, sincerity, gentility and a Fearless ruler in all ramifications.
His Majesty’s generous, peaceful and his fatherly disposition to all the people that came across him in life, were second to none and that endeared me to him and to a large number of people all over the world.
The passage of HRM is a personal loss to me, because I shared very deep relationship with him as a title holder of (The AMETUO of EBIRA and Confidant) under his rulership as a great Monarch of Ebira Kingdom.
My deepest condolences to members of his family, Ebira council of Dauudus, Kogi State Council of chiefs and traditional rulers, Ebira Area traditional rulers, Egbira nation, Aniku-Ezi Idu clan, DE-GHF (worldwide) and kogi state Government in general, at this painful and trying time. I am consoled by the legacy of good deeds and forthrightness, His Majesty left behind.
King Ado Ibrahim was born on 7th February, 1929 to the Royal family of Alh. Ibrahim Onoruoiza Atta II and Hajiya Hawawu Ozianuva of Ehebe. Alh, Ibrahim Onoruoiza, was the former paramount ruler of ebira land, that abdicated his stool for peace to reign in Ebira Territory.
After his Qur’anic studies, he attended the following schools for his elementary and secondary education:
Ebira native Authority Primary School Okene from 1934 – 1941.
Middle School, (now AAMCO Okene) from 1941 – 1943.
Ondo boys High School Ondo, Ondo State from 1943 – 1946.
Oduduwa College Ile-Ife, Osun State from 1947 – 1949.
He joined United Africa Company (UAC) in 1950 as an employee and Rose to Managerial Position at Kingsway stores Kaduna in 1952. He also worked at Amalgamated Tin Mines (ATM) Limited Bukuru, Jos as personnel manager in 1953 and subsequently attended Technical Mining College Jos and Mining industrial training scheme at Anglo America Mining Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was appointed as Area manager (ATM Ltd) Bukuru, Jos in the year 1953, on completion of Mining Engineering Course in South Africa. He then proceeded to London School of Economics for his B.SC Economics and graduated in 1954 and obtained his masters degree from Harvard Business school of Harvard University, London in 1959 respectively. He died at ripped Age of 94 years on 29th October, 2023 at Abuja after a brief illness and was buried on 29th October, 2023 at AZAD – Palace, Okene according to Islamic rites. He survived by wives, great children and grand children.
In business cycle, he was a successful business magnate. He established the following limited liability companies.
Ado Ibrahim Construction Company (AICC Ltd).
VERITAS Insurance Company.
Nigeria – Russia Technical Motor Company Ltd.
Food Specialties Ltd.
Negu Petroleum Nig. Ltd.
Ado Ibrahim Mining Co Ltd.
Proposed Iron & Steel Co. Ltd, Ubogiri-Ajaokuta LGA.
Proposed fertilizer Company, Ubogiri-Ajaokuta LGA.
Proposed Ado Ibrahim Polytechnic, Okene.
Proposed King Ado Ibrahim Amusement park, Ipaku Road-Adavi LGA.
Ado Ibrahim Foundation.
Proposed Ado Ibrahim Hotels Ltd, Okene etc
Alh. Dr. King Ado Ibrahim CON, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land reigned for Twenty-six (26) years on the throne and accomplished economic prosperity, Security, Peace and Development for Ebiraland in particular, Kogi State and Nigeria in general. He was appointed by the then Military Administrator, Kogi State, His Excellency, Col. Afakriya Bzigu Lassa under edict No. 3 of 1997, which took effect from 6th May, 1997 and coronated by Prince Abubakar Audu, the first and second Executive Governor of Kogi State, on 2nd June 1997 with his presentation 1st class staff of office as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
His Royal Majesty revived Ebira Annual Day Celebrations, which His predecessor, HRH Alh. Sani Omolori Mohammed, the Former Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, started during His reign. His Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebira, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, CON, conferred honorary titles to all deserving awardees during his eventful reign. The few distinguished Ebira sons and daughters, as well as friends of Ebira Kingdom, among others conferred with such honorary titles by His Royal Majesty, King Ado Ibrahim, CON, were as follows:
NAME’S OF PERSONALITIES (AWARDEES) HONORARY TITLES
Alh. Kabiru Audu Yakubu – WAMBAI of Ebira
Alh. Mohammed Ataba Sani – CIROMA of Ebira
HRH. Dr. sir Barnabas Ojiah, (KSM) – EYIZE of Ebira
Prince Nazir Ado Ibrahim – BARDE of Ebira
HRH Alh. Dr. M.S Isah – DOKAJI of Ebira
Late, HRH Ojimogo Hamzat Omeiza – OTOHINOYI of Ebira
Hajia Mariam Ladi Ibrahim (FCAN) – ARO’OME of Ebira
Alh. Salihu Momoh – OTUOZE of Ebira
Late Engr. Idris Atta – TURAKI of Ebira
Late. Prof. Albert Ozigi – SARIKIN MALAMI of Ebira
Late Hajiya Adi Usman – ANANEYI of Ebira
Prince Engr. Lateef Adeboye – OTUME of Ebira
Alh. Abdul Maliki Salawu (Amas) – ADI – SHETIMA of Ebira
Alh. Ja’afar Mod’d Adano – ONEIZA of Ebira
Alh. Engr. Musa Ali – OTENYISA of Ebira
Late Hassan Otokiti – OHIEKU of Ebira
Prof. Joseph S. Odama – AJIYA of Ebira
Alh. (Dr) Shuaibu Ali – GARKUWA of Ebira
His Excellency, Patrick Adava – ODEYANI of Ebira
H/E Prince Abubakar Audu (Late) – SODANGI of Ebira
Hajj. Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu (TPLR) – ONYIZE of Ebira
Late Prof. Ibrahim Abdulsalam – DAN – MASANI of Ebira
Prof. Aliyu Abdullahi – DAN – MADAMI of Ebira
Senator Isa Obaro – WAZIRI of Ebira
Alh. Isa Atta – MAGAJIN – GARI of Ebira
Late Chief Otaru Ogidi H.S – MARAFA of Ebira of Ebira
Alh. Yusuf Idawu Amoka – SERIKI YAKI of Ebira
AMB. Usman .E. Bello – MAI NASARA of Ebira
Prof. Mrs. Angela Orengwu-Okatahi – OMETERE of Ebira
Late Alh. Salami Abu – ADIZE of Ebira
Prof. Mrs. Mariyetu Tenuche – ONYI – OIZA of Ebira
Late teacher S.I Bello – SARDAUNA of Ebira
Chief. Yusufu Mamman Aka’aba – ONEYIYE of Ebira
Late Hajia Oniya Obadaki – ONYUME of Ebira
Late Chief Simeon Salami OJeba (JP) – ADORERE of Ebira
Late Chief (Mrs.) F.A Adurodija – ONYIRAGU of Ebira
Major Abdullahi Aliyu (Rtd) – ADOMUHA of Ebira
Late Suvr. (Alh) Abdulaziz-Abu Upake – OKWOZAGU of Ebira
Chief. M.J. Ismaila Obansa (Late) – BARMA of Ebira
Late Hajara Ibrahim (ANAN) – ONYI –ETOHUEYI of Ebira
Late Alh. Yusuf Dauda Utohu – OTENYI EKURA of Ebira
Engr. Sheidu Ugonoh – SAN TURAKI of Ebira
HRH. Isah Mamman Okatahi – OYARAZI of Ebira
Late Dr. Habibu Angulu Sanni (JP) – ARO-OKA of Ebira
Late Alh. Suleiman Adeku Onikiri – OHI – IKEDE of Ebira
Alh. (Dr.) Abu Ibrahim-Limit – OHI – OHU of Ebira
Engr. Stephen Raji (JP) – AMETUO of Ebira
Chief, Dr. Francis .A. Onotu – AMEDARI of Ebira
Alh. Aliyu .O. Salami – AZAMAKA of Ebira
Alh. Ali Yusuf Aiku – SARKIN – FADA of Ebira
Alh. Ahmadu Alhassan (Late) – ONIVEHU of Ebira
Alh. Sheidu Bello Ozigis – ONIZEIZA OBANYI of Ebira
Prof. Momoh Anate (Late) – OVAYIOZA of Ebira
Madam Itutu Suleiman – ANAYAMBA of Ebira
Mrs. Beatrice Oba – ONIZE of Ebira
Engr. Mathew Onubedo (JP) – ENETOHWUEYI of Ebira
Chief. Gabriel .I. Itoma – ONUWE of Ebira
Alh. M.J Onoruoiza – OHINE of Ebira
Alh. Ahmadu Obeito – OHIRAGWU of Ebira
Hajia Okara – ONYINOYIZA of Ebira
Mrs. Lawal H.O.K – ONYIOYIZA of Ebira
Engr. Dr. Sam .O. Uhuotu – MAJIDADI of Ebira
Mall. Adeku Jatto – ATEIZA of Ebira
Hajia Samari (Late) – ONYISA Ebira
Hajia Juwa Omadivi – OHI – ONYENE of Ebira
Hon. Alh. Kabiru – Ajana – MADAKI of Ebira
Alh. Abubakar Imam – ONIZEIZA (DAN-AMANA) of Ebira
Hajia Asipita Daudu – AVAYIGWU of Ebira
Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan – OHI-OGU of Ebira
Hajia Onyin Shagari – ONYINOYI of Ebira
Late Chief. David Banjo (JP) – ONOGUVO EHWUNIYA of Ebira
Mrs. Mary Ann Adaba – OHI – ENYENE of Ebira
Late Alh. Mahmoud Atta – GALADIMA of Ebira
Mal. Abdul Azeez Aliyu – SARKIN-JARA of Ebira
Alh. Salawu Inakanana – SARKIN-NOMA of Ebira
W/CDR. Mohd Suleiman – TALBA of Ebira
Alh. Suberu Okatahi – ADAVIRIKU of Ebira
Alh. Abdulsalami Iganyi – MUTAWALI of Ebira
Alh. Yusuf Olowo – MAIGIDA of Ebira
Chief, Sthcroeter Jochen(German) – OHUEYI of Ebira
Hon. Dr. Tom Ohikere – OHIENUBE of Ebira
Alh. Sanusi Atta – WAZIRI of Ebira
Above all, His Royal Majesty, King Ado Ibrahim, CON, had professed with prayers persistently, that Kogi State would have a governor of Ebira extraction, before he joins his ancestor and to the Glory of Almighty God, it came to pass with the emergence of Alh. Dr. Yahaya Bello, CON, as the divine Governor of Kogi state, in the 2016 governorship election.
The pain of his death still lingers in my heart as we all will miss him, especially HM’s hospitality, prompt advice, wise counseling and his elegance and glamour while on the revered throne of Egbiraland.
King Ado Ibrahim finished strong and death has been swallowed up in victory. His Majesty was great in life and greater in death. Allah owns him and gave His majesty to Egbira nation as a special gift and creation.
His Majesty inspired us by his influential and exemplary life he lived that, worthy of emulation but difficult to emulate.
His Majesty reign’s good works and performances on the revered throne of Ebira Kingdom, left indelible marks and foot prints in the sand of time for which he will forever remain in many hearts.
Your Royal Majesty, you came for a special mission as ordained by Almighty God, of which you have accomplished it faithfully and set out the way for us to follow. There was still much, HM King Ado Ibrahim, CON, could still do but Almighty Allah, his creator who knows the end from beginning took better decision.
We will miss His Majesty’s astuteness, smile and resourcefulness. His Majesty will forever be remembered for being a hero and great King in our generation.
Good night Your Majesty, Rest in the blossom of the Almighty Allah your creator for a life well spent in monarchy, Islam, Business circle and community Development Amen.
Adieu! Great King! Great Soul. SA’AKI!
Engr. Stephen Raji JP.
DAUDU! (The AMETUO of Ebiraland)
