Writing about Senator (Dr) Ahmadu Ali is like embarking on a book that will enrich our children in schools and those yet unborn basically because of the extremely and extraordinarily rich resume of his life adventure, career development and political achievements.
Simultaneously, it will be a disservice to humanity, Igala race and the entire country to allow such gigantic wealth of experience that had touched all facets of our national life go down the drain, without records for our consumption.
Chief Ahmadu Ali, the Ochada Attah of Igala, a beaded title, started his early life as a Military man, not only in uniform but a trained physician and advanced medical personnel, if not the first in the history of Igala race.
Chief Ali in his early days became the pride of the Igala nation having recorded a distinct achievement in the medical corps at the top echelon of his military career that was mixed with political aspiration.
Senator Ali in his early life was opportuned to have worked with two former Nigerian leaders, General Yakubu Gowon and later General Olusegun Aremu Okikiolu Obasanjo. During the period, he was appointed as Federal Commissioner for Education, that was the popular ‘Ali Must Go’ era during the University students crises in the 70’s.
Over five decades away, Senator Ali attracted a lot of development in the area of health, roads, education, employment, infrastructural development and social services.
During his stint, he attracted the construction of roads across the old Benue- Plateau, Benue, Kwara and now Kogi state, including the famous Federal Polytechnic, Idah, College of Health Technology, Idah and Federal Government College Ugwolawo among many across the country.
President Obasanjo confessed, during the launching of Ahmadu Ali’s biography, how he influenced the citing of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta and many others, during his period as Federal Commissioner for Education.
Senator Ahmadu Ali, between 1979-1983, recommended the creation of Kogi state with the capital in Lokoja, that was later obliged by President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida during state creation in the 90’s.
Chief Ali in the last five decades was Chairman of many of government boards, agencies and parastatals, the last was the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), during which the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) was established among eight others.
Senator Ali also chaired the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), within the period of the party’s 16 years rule and bequeathed a robust and people oriented leadership where many Nigerians benefited from his political goodwill.
He was head of many non-governmental and quasi Public Private Partnership(PPP) activities in the health sector that contributed largely to the development of sector in Nigeria.
In his desire to bequeath good leadership and folllowership, Senator Ali had volunteered most of his times to the political, economic and social development of Nigeria by dedicating all his life to full political participation. He led many campaign teams during President Obasanjo, President Yar’adua and lately President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan between 1999-2015.
Chief Ali, a business man, farmer, trader and philanthropist is a recipient of many awards both locally and internationally to the glory of God.
Married to Dr Mrs Mirian Ali and blessed with many children, Senator Ali is known as a lover of his people, culture and tradition.
On behalf of the good people of Kogi state, Nigerians, I join millions of men of goodwill to wish Dr. Senator Chief. Ahmadu Ali many more years in the services of his fatherland even at his octogenarian stage in life. Happy birthday Ochada Attah Igala, many more returns in good health and prosperity.
– Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja.
