Late Emir of Lafiya: End of an era

Emir of Lafia, Agwai dies at 83

The Emir of Lafia in Nasarawa state, Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustapha Agwai I has died at the age of 83.

The Madaki of Lafia, Alhaji Isyaka Dauda, confirmed the death on Thursday evening.

The late Dr. Isa Mustapha Agwai I was born on February 15, 1935 at Kofar Kaura in Lafia town.

He was selected by the Lafia emirate’s kingmakers on May 15, 1974 and was presented the staff of office by the then governor of Benue/Plateau state, Joseph D. Gomwalk, on October 26, 1974 at the Lafia stadium, now known as the Parade Ground.

Until his demise at age 83, Dr. Isa Mustapha Agwai I was the chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, having spent 44 years on the throne. He was also the state chairman of Jama’tul Nasril Islam (JNI) and Chairman of Nasarawa State Inter Religious Council.

The late monarch also held several positions including Chairman, Governing Council of Akwanga Teachers College; Chancellor, A.T.B.U Bauchi; Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and until his demise, the Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa state.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LATE EMIR OF LAFIA

The late traditional ruler of Lafiya, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Dr Isa Mustapha Agwai is from the descendant of Aliyu Ari royal house and he was born on 15 February 1935 at kofar kaura in Lafia town to the family of Muhammad Al-Mustapha Marafa & Hajiya Halimatu respectively.

During his early age, he was enrolled into Quaranic school in Kofar Kaura Lafia and after acquiring some elementary aspects of Islamic knowledge and some chapters of the glorious Quran, he enrolled into Lafia Elementary School in 1943.

After obtaining his first school leaving certificate from Lafia elementary school in 1951, the teenage Isa Mustapha Agwai was admitted into Benue Provincial Middle School Katsina-Ala.

Having successfully completed his secondary school in Katsina-Ala in 1958, from the Katsina Middle School the young Isa Mustapha Agwai later registered at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1958 and obtained his Diploma certificate in Accountancy 1959.

He joined the service of Lafia Native Authority where he served as assistant treasurer, revenue officer and later pay-master in charge of the entire market of Lafia Native Authority.

Isa Mustapha Agwai apart from holding several government positions, he held the traditional title of Dan Galadiman and District head of Obi. The title conferred on him automatically brought him to a position of a full-time member Lafia Native Authority Council.

The Emir was one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Africa, spanning over 43 years on the throne.

He was a peace lover, father to all and custodian of the African culture.

He died on Thursday 10th January, 2019 after a protracted illness in a foreign hospital at the age of 84.

May Allah have mercy on him and grant him Paradise.