By Dada Ahmed, Lokoja.
The Ebira nation in Kogi Central Senatorial District has lost one of its most distinguished sons, Senator Isah Abonyi Obaro, a celebrated politician and legal luminary.
Senator Obaro passed away in Okene, on Tuesday at the age of 91 following an illness, family sources confirmed.
Reacting to the news, Dr. Haroun Opotu Yussuff, Chairman of the Kogi Central Think Tank Forum (KCTTF), extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the late senator.
He described Obaro as a patriotic and devoted Ebira leader, the first Attorney General of the former Kwara State during the tenure of the Egbiras in the neighboring state, and a key supporter of the Ebira Peoples Association in Kwara State.
“A respected legal luminary with a wealth of accomplishments, he was also the first lawyer from Ebiraland. After retirement, he returned home and was honoured with a chieftaincy title by the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland,
HRH Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori of the blessed memory.
“Senator Obaro commanded a high level of respect, which he rightly earned,” Dr. Yussuff added.
“May his soul rest in Aljanaatul Firdaus. Aameen,” KCTTF chairman prayed.
Born on August 20, 1934 in Okene (then part of Kwara State, now Kogi Central), Senator Obaro attended Barewa College, Zaria, and the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology.
He continued his studies at University College,Ibadan before proceeding to the University of London, where he was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn on February 5, 1963.
He enrolled in the Nigerian Bar later that year, on March 25.
Prior to his political career, Obaro served in the Federal Civil Service (1958–1960) and later practiced law privately (1963–1968; 1975–1979). Between 1968 and 1975, he held multiple commissioner roles in the Kwara State Executive Council.
Elected as Senator for the then Okene/Okehi Senatorial District during the Second Republic (1979–1983) under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Obaro served on the Senate Committee on Trade and Industries, among other legislative responsibilities.
Beyond politics and law, he was known for his love of hunting and lawn tennis and community leadership engagements.
Senator Obaro leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and pioneering achievement, which will continue to inspire generations of Egbira leaders.
