82nd Birthday: Ex-Nasarawa Speaker Balarabe Felicitates with Ohimegye Opanda
…..Describes reign as peaceful, purposeful
By Yahaya Idris, Lafia
The immediate past Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, has felicitated with the Ohimegye Opanda Kingdom and first-class traditional ruler of Ebira people in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness (Alhaji) Usman Abdullahi, on his 82nd birthday.
Balarabe, who holds the traditional title of Wali Opanda Kingdom, described the monarch’s reign as “peaceful, purposeful, rewarding and developmental” in a personal statement issued to newsmen in Lafia, the state capital, Sunday.
Ohimegye Opanda, Balarabe Advocate for Peace, Unity at Eid-el Fitr
The Ohimegye Opanda, who clocks 82 today, January 4, 2026, has ruled the Opanda Kingdom in Umaisha for over three decades as its 28th custodian.
Balarabe, currently Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu in Yobe State, described the royal father as an exemplary leader, role model and father to all.
He prayed for the monarch’s continued long life, sound health and wisdom “as he pilots the affairs of his people and the seat of his ancestors and forefathers.”
The ex-speaker urged all to rally round the traditional ruler “to build on the solid foundation he has already put in place to achieve more peace, unity and progress in his kingdom and beyond.”
In the statement, he recalled the monarch’s background: “On 4th of January, 1944, a prince was born in Opanda Kingdom. He is Usman Abdullahi, a great grandson of the legendary Ohimegye Negedu, the founder of Opanda Dynasty.”He grew and acquired both Islamic and western education.
He served in both government and private sectors and rose to the position of permanent secretary and later appointed as Hon. Commissioner for Health in the then Plateau State, the position he was holding before his selection as the 28th Ohimegye Opanda on June 21, 1995.
“Balarabe noted that on the coronation day, “it rained heavily, and the rain was said to have cleared your path to the throne with all the attendant and associated blessings of your emergence as the 28th Ohimegye Opanda.”
“Today you have successfully ruled our people for the past three decades as the longest serving Ohimegye Opanda so far in the history of the kingdom and still waxing stronger in the glory of Almighty Allah,” he added.
“Your regime is so far the most purposeful, eventful and rewarding as you have remained a pillar of hope, a symbol of peace and a proponent of unity, as well as a great father to all, irrespective of religion, tribe or ethnic differences.”
The statement concluded: “On behalf of my family and my people of Umaisha and Opanda Kingdom, I congratulate HRH. Alh. Usman Abdullahi, the Ohimegye Opanda (Umaisha) and President, Toto LGA Traditional Council of Chiefs, as you celebrate your 82nd birthday on 4th January, 2026.
“I wish you more of sound health, wisdom and protection as you pilot the affairs of Opanda Kingdom, AGA’ABA-IDU.”
