The Omala LGA of KOGI State was FIRST created by President Shehu Shagari in the Old BENUE State under the leadership of Governor Aper Aku around 1982.
The Movement for the Creation of the LGA was led by our Son Alhaji Sule Iyaji who was elected first as the Member Representing Ankpa 2 – Ife Division, – at the old BENUE State House of Assembly in 1979.
He was later appointed by the governor to serve as Commissioner of Agriculture and later redeployed to the State Ministry of LGA and Chieftancy Affairs as the Commissioner.
He used the opportunity of his good office to facilitate the creation of the LGA by bringing together the Ife District and Ogodu District and involving other prominent Sons and daughters across the nation of the two districts and their Paramount Socio- Cultural Organisations – Ife Development Association and Ogodu Progressive Union-
The birth of Omala LGA was short lived and scrapped because of the Military Coup that brought in Major General Muhammadu Buhari in 1983.
By 1996 , GENERAL SANI ABACHA re – created Omala LGA amongst others through the Memorandum submitted to the STATE CREATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE .
Alhaji Sule Iyaji and Pharm. Dr. Ben Ahmodu again led the team of Prominent Omala People to champion the movement for the re – creation of Omala LGA in 1996.
The Creation of Omala LGA was finally Pronounced on this day the 5TH of DECEMBER IN 1996 by GENERAL SANI ABACHA.
1.The Omala LGA People are Peace Loving, Hospitable, Accommodating, Hardworking, Cultured, Disciplined and Honest People which had been proven in all spheres of life over time.
2. Omala LGA people are predominantly Farmers, Traders, Hunters and lovers of EDUCATION.
3. The Ife Kingdom Area is the foremost Igala Kingdom and host to the Igala Known Progenitor- ABUTU EJE – at Amagede around the Bagana area in Present day Omala LGA
4. The Spirit Deity of Protection and Authority known as the OTUTUBATU of the Abutu Eje Dynasty is situated at Amagede till date
5. The OJOGBA KI MA CH ATA ( meaning But for God we would have been the Ata Igala ) is the Paramount Ruler of Omala LGA known by the TITLE Onu Ife.
6. The Omala River which is mysterious with a lot of Myths and Uniqueness is the major source of water in the LGA Headquarters- ABEJUKOLO- Ife and from where the Omala LGA derived its name.
7. The FIRST CARETAKER CHAIRMAN OF Omala LGA at its first creation in 1982 – 1983 is Hon. James Maha from OLLAH WARD
He is presently over 80 Years old and still living strong in OLLAH community
8. After a very remarkable and doggedly contested LGA CHAIRMANSHIP election between Hon. Abraham Odaudu and Hon. Ali ICHADO in 1983, the NPN candidate- Hon. Abraham Odaudu won the election but that victory was truncated by the Military Coup of Buhari hence was not Sworn- in as the FIRST Elected Executive Chairman of Omala LGA.
9. The FIRST Elected Executive CHAIRMAN of Omala LGA at its re-creation in 1996 was Late Hon. IGONO MOMOH of ODOMAGWU- Odo COMMUNITY of Bagaji/odo WARD.
10. The Longest Served Executive Governor of a State in Nigeria is from Omala LGA ie H.E. Alhaji Dr. IBRAHIM ADEJO IDRIS CON.
He served as the Executive Governor of KOGI State for 9 Years of Two Terms from 2003 – 2012.
11. Omala LGA has produced so many Personalities in key and Strategic Positions in various MDAs in the NIGERIAN governments as well as the Private Sector and the academia.
12. The Bagana Community Market is one of the most patronised and economically viable markets in KOGI East Senatorial District comprising of 9 LGAs including the Bassa People.
Trade by barter is still practised in Bagana Market.
It is being patronised by people from ENUGU State, BENUE State, Lokoja, Koton Karfe, Nasarawa State, Oturkpo etc.
The Bagana Smoked Fish remains one of the most Attractive product of the Market because of its unique quality, taste and production
13. Omala LGA is blessed with so much Human Resources, Solid Minerals and Natural Resources like CRUDE OIL, COAL, CLAY, SHARP SAND, KAOLIN, TIMBER, LIMESTONE, LATERITE, etc.
14. Omala LGA has a lot of Tourism Attractions in various locations as follows .
1. BAGANA COMMUNITY.
– The River BENUE and its Aquatic Splendor and Uniqueness.
– The over 100 years old John Holt Company (formerly Royal Niger Company) Warehouse building.
– Ojuwo AJ enefu (the White Man s Hill)
– Ojeda Island on the River BENUE in Bagana.
– Ef ite – the Community Fishing Site.
2. AMAGEDE COMMUNITY IN BAGANA DISTRICT.
– The Otutubatu Spirit Deity of the Igala Ancestors
– The Burial Site of the Igala Kingdom Progenitor- Abutu Eje
3. OBAKUME/AJOMAKOJI COMMUNITIES
– IJOLOGU DEITY at Ajomakoji
– The Obakume People Cultural Group – KOKOMA
4. IDRISU COMMUNITY
– The Steepy Ojuwo Ugwechi (Historical Hill)
– The original Site of the Ancestral Okwute of the Ihekpe Clan which was moved to the present location at Echa.
It was stolen and sold to some Europeans but the had to return it back because of the Mysterious troubles and calamities afflicting them hence the relocation to Echa in ABEJUKOLO Ife
5. AGOJEJU- ODO COMMUNITY
– The Abukpe Mystery Pond.
– The Akpa Ch Oja Stone Deity
– The Mysterious Oche River of the meeting point of three Rivers
6. OKPOTALA COMMUNITY
– The Oko Odo Wildlife and Game Reserve
– The Demarcation River between the Agatus and the Igalas known as Oche River.
7. OPADA COMMUNITY
– The Wildlife and Game Reserve
8. IGAH ONIFE
– The Burial Site of the Ojogbas at the base of the hill
– The Okwute of the Ojogba s Stool
9. ABEJUKOLO- IFE COMMUNITY (The LGA Headquarters)
– The Mysterious Omala River,
– The Aji Kolo from where the ABEJUKOLO- Ife Town derived its name.
– The feared Akpa Deity at the Omala River.
– The Ancient Ojogba Palace
There are many other Sites for Tourism and begging for investors to develop.
TODAY Omala LGA is celebrating her Silver Jubilee of 25 Years from 5th December, 1996 to 5th December, 2021.
I Pray for more years of blessings, prosperity, Rapid developments, Great opportunities to take out rightful place in the History of Nigeria and the ancient Igala Kingdom.
I join the Ojogba ki Ma Ch Ata Igala ie the ONU IFE- HRH BONIFACE U. MUSA, the CHAIRMAN of Omala LGA- Hon. Aboh, the KOGI State government and all Sons and daughters of Omala LGA to Celebrate our 25th Silver Jubilee of Creation.
CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
