By Abdul Aji with narrations from Enemona Abel Ellah and Dr. Omakoji Oyigun
The name Daniel Ogbadu was a familiar name to the Igala people of Kogi East before now. He was heard of in every nooks and crannies of Igalaland. This was because of the selflessness character in him. He was a great emancipator.
I saw the story of his life and time as narrated by Comrade Enemona Abel Elijah and the story of the bees as narrated by Dr. Omakoji Oyigun in a WhatsApp group.
According to Comrade Ellah, Honourable Daniel Áchẹnẹjẹ Ọ̀gbadú was born in October 1919 at Élíká in the Bìraidù District of Dekina LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria. He hailed from the Ákogwu Royal House in Ídá and arrived in this world during the auspicious period when his paternal cousin, Prince Àtábọ Ìjọ̀mì, the hero of the Màhíónú War, was crowned Àtá-Igáláà. Ọ̀gbadú’s early education was at the then elite Dèkína Middle School, followed by his employment in 1946 as a Court Scribe, initially posted to Ẹ́njẹma District in present-day Ánkpa LGA.
In 1949, Ọ̀gbadú was deployed to the Dekina District Court and later elevated to the Àtá-Igálá’s Court “B,” the apex court handling appeals from 19 districts in the Igala Kingdom. His early career in the judiciary provided him with a foundation in legal and administrative matters, paving the way for his future political engagements.
Ọ̀gbadú’s political journey began in 1948, during a period of intense struggle for liberation from colonial rule in Nigeria. Influenced by the nationalist fervor of leaders like Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ọ̀gbadú became actively involved in the push for Nigerian independence. Dr. Azikiwe’s visit to His Royal Majesty, Ágábáìdù, Àtá Ameh Òbòní, at Ídá significantly impacted Ọ̀gbadú, leading to the formation of the Igala Divisional Union (IDU), which later became the first grassroots political party in Igalaland.
As the first General President of IDU, Ọ̀gbadú played a pivotal role in the political mobilization of the Igala people. In 1954, he won a seat in Nigeria’s first House of Representatives and served as Chairman of the Business Committee. His contributions were recognized by Sir Ahmadu Bello, leading to his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary in the Northern House of Assembly in 1956. Ọ̀gbadú further enhanced his credentials by studying Legal Studies at the Institute of Administration, Zaria, and subsequently serving as Legal Adviser for the Igala Division.
From 1957 to 1961, Ọ̀gbadú held several ministerial positions, including Health, Trade and Industry, Economic Planning, and Agriculture and Animal Health. His work significantly contributed to the development of Igalaland, including the construction of roads, exploration of mineral resources, and the establishment of educational and healthcare facilities.
After his tenure in politics, Ọ̀gbadú continued to serve his community in various capacities. He was appointed Councillor for Local Governments and later became Vice Chairman of the Igala Native Authority. His efforts led to significant infrastructural developments in Igalaland and the elevation of the Àtá-Igáláà throne to First Class status.
Throughout his career, Ọ̀gbadú fought against ethnic discrimination and ensured the rights of the Igala people were upheld. He championed educational opportunities, infrastructure projects, and political representation for his community, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s development.
Honourable Daniel Áchẹnẹjẹ Ọ̀gbadú’s life and career exemplify dedication to public service and grassroots politics. His legacy continues to inspire contemporary politicians to uphold the principles of integrity, selflessness, and community-centered governance.
The bees episode as narrated by Dr. Omakoji Oyigun
“His daughter, Unekwu Rachael Ogbadu (Pharmacist) was a close ally on the campus in the University (ABU). I used the opportunity of visiting her at home to pay homage to the great sage. Even in old age he was very clear about the problem of Igala people.
“I asked him if it was true that he was in Kaduna in the same meeting when HRM Ata Ameh Oboni removed his cap and bees went on rampage, chasing the royalty and their courtiers. I asked him if the bees recognized him.
“Late Hon Daniel Acheneje Ogbadu was part of the fateful meeting in Kaduna where bees stung the chiefs at a meeting. He was part of the delegation of the Ata Igala to the meeting. He was in the meeting when the bees stung the royalties who pressured Ata Ameh Oboni to do obeisance to the chief who had just arrived.
“Late Hon Daniel Acheneje Ogbadu told me that the Ata Ameh Oboni said he was equal to the chief that has just arrived whom the other chiefs had removed their alawoni for. Ata Ameh Oboni said it was the same position the chief who just arrived held among his own people that he Ata Ameh Oboni also held. He insisted that they were equals and he was not supposed to remove his head gear (ochachi) for any other chief.
“Late Hon Daniel Acheneje Ogbadu narrated that it was the other chiefs that insisted that he must remove his official head gear as they had already done.
“When the Ata Ameh Oboni eventually consented to remove his official head gear it became bees party at the meeting. The bees stung the other chiefs who have now felt what was in the official gear of the Ata Igala that he was helping them by not agreeing to remove it.
“All the chiefs scrambled for safety at this point, each demonstrating capacity to emergencies response. Each had to respond to the emergency they had not prepared for. It was battle for individual survival at this point.
“He further narrated that the chiefs were falling over each other in order to win the award of ability to escape from the Ameh Oboni bees.
“Those close to the windows, though not very young, had to help themselves through the window, when such an act may have been unbecoming of a first class Chief. Those at the back considered the door too far to run to in order to reduce the number of bee sting. Those that were close to the main door may have been lucky not to have taken so much dose of the bee sting.On the whole non of the Chiefs was spared the bee sting including the one that was been carefully protected as more equal than the others. Not very long the hall for the meeting became abruptly empty. It was only the buzz of the bees that dominated the hall. The bees became territorial.
“I asked Hon Daniel Acheneje Ogbadu if the bees recognized him. His response was an affirmative yes. He said the bees recognized him. He didn’t have a single bee sting. Not even by accident. He remained in the hall with Ata Ameh Oboni begging him to put on his official head gear. Hon Daniel Acheneje Ogbadu said Ata Ameh Oboni responded by telling him that “e tono kino ki tama pe ta ”
“When Ata Ameh Oboni was satisfied that he had made his case clearly and the bees had done justice to his command he put on his official head gear. All of a sudden the bees disappeared.The whole hall now became without bees.
“I was too frightened to ask where the bees returned to. I had in mind to ask if the bees returned in the direction of the official head gear of Ata Ameh Oboni.
“At this point Ata Ameh Oboni motioned and requested the Chiefs who had contested with him to remove his ochachi to return for them to commence the meeting. Nobody among the Chiefs had the courage to return. The scheduled meeting had ended for that day”.
