09/11/2022
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN EBIRA HISTORY
1750: Ebira migrated to Ebira Opete (Ebiraland).
1881: The installation of Ohindase (Okomanyi
Avogude), rain maker in Ebira Division.
1882: The first installation of Ozumi (peace maker) in Ebira Division.
1885: Anajinomoh - the arrival of the first white man in Ebira land.
1886: Arrival of Islam in Ebiraland.
1890: Ebira/Bassa-Nge war. (The Bassa were defeated.)
1902: Odimboro's death was a play/tragedy for
people were burnt to ashes during his burial.
1902-Death of Ohindasi Okomanyi Avogunde.
1903: Omadivi was appointed the first paramount ruler (or 'Native Authority') of Ebira by the colonial government at Okene-eba.
1904: Colonial conquest of Ebiraland (Major Marsh Expedition).
1908: Era of rapid spread of Islam (Ume Anebi).
1912: Terrible famine known as "Osinageri."
1915: Arrival of Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen in Ebiraland from Ilorin.
1916: The first appearance of bicycle in Ebira.
1917: The installation of Ibrahim Ichegudo as
Atta of Ebira following the death of Omadivi that same year.
- Roman Catholic School was built in Okene.
1918: Time of Akuosu (epidemic). This was the
time when the worldwide epidemic of influenza
took a heavy toll. As a result of this epidemics
many people died at such an abnormal rate that
there was insufficient cloth to bury the corpses,
mats had to be substituted.
- The first school in Ebira, St. Peter's Primary
School, was founded by the Church Missionary
Society (CMS) at Ogori. Two of the pioneer pupils
in the school, Mr Jaiye or Jaiya, who later worked
as a catechist, and Mr. Festus Alasoka who
would later become the Ologori of Ogori.
* Christianity and western education arrived late in Ebira.
- The establishment of R.C.M. school in Okene at the site where Atta's house stands today. Some of its pioneer pupils were Mr. J.M. Ojiah, who became a court judge; Alhaji A.R.G. Ozigis, who worked with the Native Authority Council; and Mr. Sule Onibo.
1919: "Onyayi" - small-pox struck Ebira.
- Mohammed Sani Omolori was born and would later become the Ohinoyi of Ebira. He was born during the funeral ceremony of Omonori or
Omolori of Okaito, the district head of Okaito.
That was how Sani Omolori got his last name.
Omonori is an Ebira corruption of the Yoruba
name, Omolori, which means "child of good luck."
- Death of Ohindase Arudi of Omoye clan.
1921: The first appearance of a three-wheel
motor car on Ebira road.
1922: Construction of Okene-Lokoja road.
- Construction of the first zinc roofed house in Ebira.
- Time of "Ogunmare" - a time when many Ebira
men were forced to Igala Division and Eastern Region to work on the construction of the railway line.
- Mr. T.A.Bugeru came to Ebira.
1923: Creation of Ebira Division in Kabba Province by Capt. Byng Hall.
-Ebira Native Authority Central School,
known as "Makaranta," was founded. It began in 1922 as a Quranic school before it became a full-fledged primary school the following year. It was
founded by the N.A. Its pioneer pupils included
Abdul Malik Atta, Abdul Rahaman Okene, Ali Arigi,
a retired court judge, Salau Lawal, later to
become the District Head of Okene, Habib Raji
Abdallah, Ahmadu Rufai, Umaru Oricha, and
Mallam Zakari.
1925: Obangede riot.
- the emigration/immigration of Okino's family
and some Agada clan members to Idori, some 15
miles from Okene in pursuit of their desire for
self-administration.
- Sani Omolori began school (on May 25, 1925).
He spent five years in Elementary Three because
there was no where else to go then. There were
not too many opportunities for higher education
in the entire Northern region then.
1926: Lokoja came under Igbirra Native Authority administration.
- Iya Egbe, mother of Atta Ibrahim, dies.
- St. Andrew's Anglican School, Okene, was
established by Archdeacon L. A. Lennon, a
Jamaican. It was first run as a religious class.
Through the influence of Atta, the school was
recognised by the colonial government and grant-
aided in 1928. Its first headmaster was Mr. (later
Reverend) P.A. Obayan (father of Justice
Obayan). Its foundation pupils included Peter
Adeniyi Erin, Esther Adebusola Ogedengbe, and
J.M Baiye.
1927: Okene Prison Yard built and opened.
- Osara bridge was constructed.
-Death of 'Iya Egbe' Ejinovo (Atta Ibrahim's mother).
1929: Public news of Aladura. Many Ebira went to
the West to see an Aladura prophet.
"Akuvariva" or locust caused a terrible damage to
food/cash crops and trees in Ebira.
1930: Second appearance of locust.
- Atta Ibrahim made the pilgrimage to Mecca.
1931: Prisoners killed by thunder at Okene prison.
1932: Second appearance of Oyibo Arimoh.
1933: Death of Ogbojo of Osisi village.
- Death of Umajene of Okene.
- Construction of Okene Middle School, now
known as Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College. Its
first principal was Isa Koto.
1934: The construction of Ebira Native Authority
Yard.
- Thunder struck the prison again.
- Completion of Okene water works.
1935: Death of Otaru - Atta Ibrahim's father.
1936: Death of Okino Achegidi.
1937: Samari Irivogba died.
- Introduction of Okene Cemetary - "oganya."
- Death of Anaza - the last man to be buried at
home before the introduction of "oganya."
- Completion of Okene reservoir(Okene water work).
1938: Death of Samari Omobo of Omoye Clan.
- Death of Olu of Ajaokuta, Usman Obosi.
- Oyibo Arimoh, Mr. K. Devon, who abolished
excessive interest on refund of loan in Ebira
Division.
- Conviction of Yakubu, ex-Wakili of Lokoja, for
illegal shooting of an arrow.
1939: Abeni or Agbemi Ajokaiye was installed as
Ohindase (rain maker).
- Death of late Abdul Malik's grand mother.
- Stone fell on Anahi, a salt dealer, and was killed
on the spot as people struggled for salt during a
period of acute scarcity.
1940: Construction of a Police station in Okene.
1941: Construction of Oganya cemetary started.
1942: Construction of Okene Central Mosque.
- Death of Ozumi Agere of Okene.
- Death of Otu.
1945: Death of Ohindase of Okene.
- Construction of Osara-Eganyi road.
- Abdul Malik Ibrahim, Atta's son, went on
pilgrimage to Mecca.
1946: Habib Raji Abdallah defied the General order as it was popularly called to join the Zikist movement.
1947: Alhaji Abdulmalik Atta second Ebira Muslim to perform Hajj after his father in 1930.
Death of Onyayi Oweyi (Siyaka's mother).
- Nnamidi Azikiwe visited Okene on the platform
of N.C.N.C.
1948: Habib Raji Abdallah in November 1948 made professional declaration of his independence of British colonial gov't and ask Nigerians to do the same.
- Abdulazeez Atta appointed as a cadet administrative officer in the colonial service.
-Death of Ichimiri of Okene, the Custodian of Ogugureba, a singing masquerade which
performed at night during the "Ekuechi" festival.
1949: Okene Post Office was built.
- Yusuf Utohu established a local weaving
industry in Okene which would later revolutionize
and popularize Ebira hand woven cloth known
worldwide as Okene cloth.
1950: Atta Ibrahim killed an Elephant.(hunters exhibition).
-Habib Raji Abdallah joined the NCNC for independence struggles.
1951: Tax riot.
-Alhaji Abdulmalik Atta nominated by the native Authority(NA) to the Regional House of Assembly in Kaduna.
-Completion of Ebira Central Mosque Okene.
- Construction of Okene dispensary.
- Death of Alhaji Lawal, a confidant of Atta.
1952: Construction of G.T.T.C. Ukpogo, Okene.
Its first principal was Mr. A.O Latunbosun.
- Fighting broke out between "Adokita" and "Soja"
masquerades during Echeane festival. They were
banned from participating in Echeane festivity for
years as a result.
- George U. Ohikere and Abdul Malik Ibrahim were
elected to the Northern House of Assembly.
- Abdul Malik Ibrahim appointed the Nigerian High
Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
1953: Completion of Okene Central Mosque.
- Igbirra Nagjve Authority had Alhaji Abdulrahim Yahaya Tajudeen an Ilorin indigene elected to the council. Placing Ebira nation as being among the first tribes to accommodate non-indigene in the Local Govt Council.
- Death of Mohammed Sani Omolori's father.
- Dethronement of Atta Ibrahim of Ebira.
1954: Abdication of Atta Ibrahim.
- Construction of Okene Central Office.
- Installation of Ohinoyi of Ebira.
1955: Habib Raji Abdallah joined the NPC in a regional politics and was appointed the party principal organizing secretary and administrative secretary up till 15th January 1966.
1956: Dr. Abdulmumin I.Atta joined the British Colonial Medical Service and was the second medical Doctor, after Dr. Dikko, in the Northern Nigeria.
-Death of Mayaki, son of ex-Atta of Ebira.
- Construction of Idoji Central Mosque.
- Construction of Atami bridge.
- Collapse of Okunbanyi river.
- Construction of Islamic Primary School.
1956: Death of Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen(17/51956), the first chief Imam of Ebiraland.
- Alhaji Abdulrahim Tajudeen chief Imam from 1956-1960.
1957: Official installation of Mohammed Sani
Omolori as Ohinoyi of Ebira.
- Assisntic (??) influenza attack.
- Okene Town Road was tarred.
1958: Construction of Okene Hospital by the
Government of Nigeria and the Catholic Mission.
- Dr. Abdulmumin I.Atta first Nigeria head of Hajj mission to Saudi Arabia.
1959: Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
visited Okene to present Mr. Joseph Ohiani as the
NPC candidate to the Federal House of
Representatives.
- Salihu O. Abdul won the Federal Election.
- Mohammed Kokori (M.K.) Abdul and
AbdulRahaman Badamasuiy were imprisoned.
- Death of Mr. J. A. Odiyaya or Odaiai (ex-Maji),
Local Government Treasurer of Ebira.
1960: Imam Musa Galadima Abdullah was installed and turbanned as the Chief Imam of Ebiraland.
- Death of Ohindase Abeni or Agbemi, an
uncle of Sani Omolori.
- Fighting in Okene Central Mosque as a result of
political disagreement.
- Nigerian independence.
- Abdul Salami Robin Yusuf was appointed to the
Upper House as Senator.
-Introduction of Telephone in Ebiraland.
1962: Reverend Father (Dr.) Alexius Makozi and
Joseph Ohieku were ordained as priests at Okene
Catholic Church, becoming the first priests from
the Northern Region to be raised to the Episcopal
Dignity in the Catholic Church.
- Mohammed Kokori (M.K.) Abdul and M.I. Lawal
Megida from Ihima were elected to the Northern
House - the first time Ebira would be given two
seats in the regional legislature?
- Death of Ozigizigi of Obehira.
- Death of Anakava, Ozigizigi's successor.
1963:National Population Census (Ebiraland:325,273).
-Government took contorl of the General Hospital.
1965: Government took control of the Water
Works.
- Death of Mr. George Uru Ohikere.
- Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, visited
Okene.
- Death of Mallam Zakari, ex-chief warder of N.A.
Prison, and death of Ahmadu Rufai's wife.
1964: Death of Atta Ibrahim Onoruoyiza.
1965: Visit of Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, to Okene.
- Death of George Ohikere.
1966: Abdulazeez Atta Federal permanent secretary ministry of finance.
- Okene College of Commerce was founded by Mr. Joseph Ohiani.
- Death of Mr. G.A. Balogun, a famous school
teacher at the Roman Catholic School.
- News of military coup.
- The collapse of Ohiana drift.
- Death of Yakubu, ex-Wakili of Lokoja and father
of Abdul Rahaman Okene.
- Small-pox epidemic broke out.
1967: Civil war broke out in Nigeria, rebel Biafran
soldiers bombed Okene, killing seven people.
- Creation of 12 states, Ebira now part of Kwara State.
- Appointment of Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene as the first Secretary to Kwara State Government.
- The Anglican community established Igbira
Anglican College (later re-named Lennon Memorial College).
1968: Death of Ologori of Ogori, Mr. G.B. Akerejola.
- Appointment of Habib Raji Abdallah as the chief Executive of Kano pilgrims Board by police commissioner Audu Bako.
- Death of Abdul Aziz Atta's mother.
1969: Introduction of Electricity to Ebiraland.
- Death of Abdul Malik Atta, former Nigeria's Ambassador to France.
- Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, Governor of Western Nigeria, visited Okene in a helicopter. It was the first time a helicopter would land in Ebira.
1970: Abdulazeez Atta appointed as Secretary to the federal military government Head of service.
Second collapse of Okuhobanyi (or Okuha Obanyi) river.
1971: Death of Aliyu Chata Enesi, the veteran tax collector and the oldest man in Agada clan.
- Death of Alhaji Sumaila of Obansa, a famous
and reverred man of Agada clan.
- Ordination of Alexius Makozi as Bishop of the Lokoja Diocese.
- Death of Ohinoyi Sani Omolori's mother.
1972: Death of Umaru Adabara of Agada clan.
- Death of Abdul Aziz Atta, former secretary to the federal government and head of service, in London.
- Death of Kekere Ozidogido, founder of the Ikede and Chekene music and the first Ebira singer to wax a record.
1974: Establishment of FATC (now FCE,Okene).
1976: Creation of Okene and Okehi L.G.A's from Ebira Division.
1978: Habib Raji Abdallah finally retired from public service.
1979: Alhaji Adamu Atta elected first civilian Governor of Kwara State.
-Ahmed Tijani Ahmed as Managing Director/CEO, NAA 1979-1985 (Nigerian Airports Authority, which later became Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN)
1980: Death of Isa Danga (Custodian of OKevere).
- Work started on Ajaokuta Iron and steel Industry.
1981:Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene appointed by President Shehu Shagari as Chairman of Census Board.
1982: Death of foremost nationalist Alhaji Raji Habib Abdallah.
1983: Alhaji Usman Abatemi became Deputy Governor of Kwara State.
1987: Death of Mr.J.A.G. Ohiani of Karaworo.
1989: Death of Mom oh Ajagu (Custodian of Achewuru Obanyi of Okene).
1990: Appointment of Alhaji Aliyu Atta as Inspector-General of Police.
1991: Death of Sheikh Ahmad Rufai (Shehu Idoji).
1991: Appointment of Lt General Salihu Ibrahim as Chief of Army Staff.
1991:Creation of Kogi State.
1991: Appointment of Ustaz Yoonus Abdallah as the first Grand Khadi of Kogi State.
1993:Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene appointed as Minister of Internal Affairs.
- Colonel Muhammed Abdulsalam Onuka appointed as the Military Administrator of Edo State.
1995: Appointment of Judith Sefi Atta as the first minister of women affair and Social development.
1996: Death of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sani Omolori, Ohinoyi of Ebira land (10/7/96.
1997: Appointment of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ado Ibrahim as Ohinoyi of Ebira(2/6/97).
1998: Creation of Ogori-Magongo L.G.A.
- EBIRA-ENGLISH DICTIONARY Volume 1 (Ehahi Ebira ini oyivo) By Yusuf Ozi Usman.
1999: Death of Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene.
-Chief Patrick Adaba (mni) elected as Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
2000: Death of Alhaji Usman Abatemi, former Deputy Governor of Kwara state.
2003: Mr. Philip Omeiza Salawu elected Deputy Gov. of Kogi State.
2006: Death of Senator A.T. Ahmed, a frontline politician.
2006: Creation of Ohi Stool in the five Traditional Districts (Adavi,Eika,Okengwe,Ihima and Eganyi) of Ebiraland.
2010: Appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Bello Adoke as Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.
2010: Appointment of Mr Austin Oniwon as the Group Managing Director of NNPC.
2010: Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori appointed as clerk of the House of Representatives
2012: Death of Ustaz Yoonus Abdallah the first Grand Khadi of Kogi State
-Death of Chief Siyaka Okaraga Lawal, the Obobanyi of Ihima (reigned 1984-2012).
2014: Death of Alhaji Adamu Atta, the first Executive Governor of Kwara state.
2015: Death of Dr. Bello Asuku Ibrahim, the first Ohi of Adavi(14/10/2015).
-Fatima Bombom Sani broke existing record in Nigeria Law School by bagging Nine Separate Awards at the call to Bar of Nigeria Law School.
- Dr. Salamat Ahuoyiza Aliyu the first indigenous trained female neuro-surgeon in Nigeria and first female to be certified a neuro-surgeon in West African.
-Alhaji Yahaya Bello Adoza was elected as executive governor of kogi state. To break the jinx.
2016: Death of Dr.Abdulmumin I.Atta The first medical doctor from Ebira land and second to Dr.Barau Diko in the Northern Nigeria. Former permanent secretary in the Northern Region's Ministry of Health and first Nigeria delegate head mission to Saudi Arabia.
-Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was inaugurated on 27th January 2016 as the fourth Executive Governor of Kogi State.
- Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori on August 15th 2016 steps into office as substantive clerk to the National Assembly(CNA).
2019: Death of the Central Chief Imam of Ebiraland, Sheikh Musa Abdullah Galadimah on Friday, 19th April 2019.
