By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
In an outpouring of grief, respect, and reflection, Nigeria bid farewell to one of its finest elder statesmen and traditional leaders, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Halilu Bala Usman, the OSU of Ajiri, who was laid to rest in Udegye, his ancestral home in Nasarawa State.
The funeral, conducted in accordance with Islamic rites, drew a massive crowd of mourners and dignitaries from all walks of life, including Governor Abdullahi Sule, members of the State Executive Council, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and hundreds of sympathizers from across the country.
The burial was a moment of national reflection on the life of a man whose legacy transcends traditional boundaries and governmental offices.
The late OSU Ajiri was not only the paramount ruler of Ajiri, but also a former Deputy Governor of old Plateau State, a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Nasarawa,
Speaking at the funeral, Governor Abdullahi Sule described the late monarch as “a towering symbol of wisdom, diplomacy, and service, who gave his all for the unity and progress of the state and the nation.”
Also present were eminent traditional rulers who paid glowing tributes to the OSU Ajiri, describing him as a peace-builder, bridge between the past and the present, and a guiding light in turbulent times.
Family, friends, and former colleagues remembered his humility, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice, development, and public health.
“His legacies will forever echo in our minds — from the palace to the political space, from the grassroots to the national stage,” said one mourner.
A Royal Farewell
With the burial of HRH Alhaji Halilu Bala Usman in Udegye, Nasarawa State has lost a pillar of wisdom, and Nigeria a trusted elder.
May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
