A Legacy of Leadership and Service – His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika (Osu Agwada)

A Legacy of Leadership and Service: The Inspiring Journey of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika (Osu Agwada), from Humble Beginnings to the First-Class Throne of Agwada Chiefdom.
The history of a people is often best told through the lives of their leaders, men and women whose vision, resilience, and commitment shape the destiny of their communities. His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga, the Osu Agwada, stands as one of such illustrious leaders whose reign has brought peace, progress, and development to the Agwada Chiefdom. He was born more than seven decades ago and rose from humble beginnings, nurtured by the values of hard work, community service and integrity. From his early years as a dedicated farmer and community leader to his ascension as a revered traditional ruler, he has consistently demonstrated uncommon wisdom, foresight and devotion to the welfare of his people. Over the years, the Osu Agwada has played a pivotal role in strengthening the cultural heritage of Agwada, fostering harmony among diverse groups and partnering with successive governments to bring social, educational and infrastructural development to his domain. Under his stewardship, the Agwada Chiefdom has witnessed remarkable transformation, culminating in its elevation to a First-Class status, a testament to his distinguished leadership and the enduring relevance of the traditional institution. The life and reign of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga, remain an inspiring story of service, sacrifice and legacy, firmly etched in the annals of Nasarawa State’s history.
His Royal Highness, the Osu Agwada, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga, was born in Agwada approximately seventy-eight (78) years ago. He hails from the Okogana ruling family, one of the two royal houses of Agwada town. In 1955, he enrolled in Adult Education Classes at Agwada under the tutelage of a Christian evangelist from Kurape in Karu Local Government Area, popularly known as Bani Yesu. However, due to the high level of illiteracy prevalent at that time, his parents could not allow him to continue with his education. As a result, he had to withdraw from formal schooling and took up farming.
Before his appointment as the Traditional Ruler (Village Head of Agwada) on 10th December, 1990, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga was already a successful farmer and had served as the Chairman of the Agboya Community Development Association. Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Adamu, Sarkin Yakin Keffi, later announced the creation of new Districts and Village Areas. Considering the long history of the Agwada Traditional Institution, he approved the elevation of the Osu Agwada from Village Head to District Head. In December 2002, the Nasarawa State Government, in fulfillment of its campaign promises, created twenty-seven (27) additional Districts. In recognition of his contributions, the District Head, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga, was upgraded to Third-Class status as a special case, with the understanding that any subsequent vacancy for the stool of Osu Agwada would be filled in accordance with the established method of selection.
Since his assumption of office, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga has worked tirelessly to promote peace and harmony among the people of Agwada Chiefdom. With the return of civilian administration in Nasarawa State under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Adamu, Sarkin Keffi, many significant achievements were recorded in the area. Among these were the extension of the National Grid from Marmara to Agwada, the creation of Agwada Local Government Council, and the establishment of new Districts and Village Areas. Other notable developments included the upgrading of Government Secondary School, Agwada, into a full boarding institution, the establishment of Government Technical Science College, Agwada, Government Secondary School, Bassa, Government Secondary School, Kofan Gwari, and Command Science Secondary School, Agwada, as well as the ongoing construction of the Mararaba Kokona–Agwada–Udege Road.
Furthermore, during the administration of His Excellency Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the then Governor of Nasarawa State, the Agwada Chiefdom was elevated in 2015 from Third-Class to Second-Class status. In fulfillment of government promises and in recognition of the growth and importance of the Chiefdom, His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, further elevated the Agwada Traditional Institution to First-Class status in March 2023.
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kaika Obagu Ayaga, is happily married to two wives and is blessed with fourteen (14) children.