Lokoja, Nigeria
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, has led tributes following the death of a prominent Nigerian traditional ruler and former military administrator, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Abu Ali, the Etsu of Bassa Nge Kingdom. The monarch, a retired Brigadier General, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the age of 82, remaining an influential national figure until his death.
A Life of Service
Alhaji Abu Ali had a distinguished career combining military service and traditional leadership. He served as the Military Governor of Bauchi State in Nigeria’s northeast between September 1990 and January 1992. In a condolence message released by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo described the late Etsu as a “father figure, a stabilizing force, and a pillar of wisdom”.”I recall the dignified and majestic leadership of His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Abu Ali, whose wise counsel and unwavering commitment to the unity of our state consistently provided guidance and strength to our people,” the governor stated. Governor Ododo highlighted the late monarch’s exceptional discipline and commitment, noting that his leadership contributed immensely to peace, unity, and development in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Legacy of Stability
As the Etsu of Bassa Nge, a major ethnic group in Kogi State, Alhaji Abu Ali’s reign was credited with bringing stability and progress to the kingdom. The governor hailed the late Etsu as a symbol of exemplary leadership and assured that his “selfless service and towering presence will be deeply missed.”The state government extended condolences to the royal family, the Bassa Nge Kingdom, and all who mourn the passing of the revered traditional ruler.
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