Magajin Dangi: When Nasarawa, Lafia Emirate honoured Senator Wadada
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, people from all walks of life including serving and former governors, national and sub-national legislators, top government functionaries, captains of industry, political associates, friends and well wishers stormed the ancient city of Lafia, Nasarawa state capital, to honour Nasarawa’s proud son, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts. He was conferred with the traditional title of Magajin Dangin Lafia by the Emir of Lafia HRH Justice Sidi Bage (rtd).
The decision by the Lafia Emirate Council to honour this astute and tested politician is a further testimony to his popularity and acceptability across the state. Wadada is a man of honour, dignity and moral rectitude seen as a gold fish that has no hiding place in the political matrix of Nasarawa state. He embodies service, politics and philanthropy following his sacrifice, commitments and dedication not only to Lafia Emirate Council and the entire traditional institution in the state but also his immense contributions to the promotion of democracy and good governance.
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Known for his bluntness, intellectual prowess, political sagacity, administrative acumen and capacity to deliver result, Wadada’s trademark right from his sojourn in the private sector, specifically, business, economy and finance, is superlative performance and impactful outcomes that always shocked his critics and detractors, leaving them dumbfounded. It was this quality, among other factors, that made him an attractive bride to his people who dragged him into politics in 2003, when he contested for the House of Representatives seat of his constituency, which he won.
As the representative of the good people of Keffi/Karu/Kokona federal constituency of Nasarawa state for eight years, Wadada set new and enviable record in the history of representative democracy in Nasarawa state. He broke the jinx of bad representation in his constituency through effective, result-oriented, focused and people-centred representation that completely altered the backward socio-economic lives of his people, ushering in a new era of massive infrastructure development, which will be virtually impossible to be replicated in Nasarawa state.
His constituency witnessed massive development in all areas of human endeavour courtesy of his visionary leadership in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youths and women empowerment, skills acquisition, community development, business, employment opportunities, among others.
From 2003 to 2011, Wadada’s constituency witnessed massive constructions, renovation/rehabilitation of schools, supplies of learning/ instructional materials, payments of scholarships, WAEC, NECO, JAMB and other national examinations, provision of free medical services, construction, equipping and expansion of wards, clinics and hospitals, and the construction and rehabilitation of roads,.
He has also sponsored many bills and motions. They include Tobbaco Control Bill 2004, Federal Capital Territory Development Agency Bill, Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registration Bill 2005, Investments and Securities Tribunal Bill 2006, FCT Satellite Towns Development Commission Bill, etc. He amplified and projected the image of the state and its people in the eyes of the world with his vibrancy, eloquence, oratory, frequent and brilliant contributions to National debates on the floor of the National Assembly. Wadada has continued to use his hard earned wealth from his businesses for the service of the people of Nasarawa state and humanity through his Wadada Development Foundation.
As a senator in the last two years, Wadada has demonstrated capacity, competence and credibility in the discharge of his legislative duties with his legacies and impacts felt across all the nooks and crannies of his senatorial district and beyond. He leads Nasarawa federal lawmakers in the National Assembly in sponsoring of bills with 10 bills to his credit within just two years including a bill for the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, his alma mater to university of mining, engineering and technology and the bill for the establishment of Federal College of Fishery and Aquatic Sciences Umuasha which have since been passed and awaiting presidential assent.
Wadada attracted many federal road projects in the 2025 budget, securing appointments from government ministries, departments and agencies, and the military for his constituents, payment of WAEC fees for many students with 774 beneficiaries in 2004, distribution of medical equipments to 10 general hospitals in his senatorial district, renovation of schools, attracting corporate entities intervention, distribution of food items, empowerment, skill acquisition, among others.
It is therefore not surprising that the Lafia Emirate Council saw the need to confer the revered traditional title of Magajin Dangin Lafia on Senator. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Sarkin Yakin Keffi), He his a leading gubernatorial aspirant in Nasarawa state come 2027 and chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, currently representing Nasarawa West in the National Assembly.
Speaking during the turbaning ceremony, the emir of Lafia, who doubles as the Chairman, Nasarawa State Traditional Council HRH Bage narrated the bond of friendship, spanning decades existing between his late father and Senator Wadada’s father, the late Alhaji Aliyu Danyaya, which both families sustained till date in line with their parents’ wishes which would go a long way to preserve and strengthen their families’ bond.
He said Wadada is being honoured in recognition of his significant contributions to human capital development, grassroots outreaches and overall progress of Lafia Emirate, Nasarawa state, and Nigeria as a whole as well as his philanthropic gestures and leadership qualities, describing him as a role model to younger generations and an inspiration to aspiring leaders.
On his part, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by the Secretary to the Government of the federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, described Wadada as his good friend and urged him to use his new title to foster peace and national cohesion, adding that his elevation to this prestigious title is not only a profound personal honour but also a resounding affirmation of his unwavering commitments to public service, community development and preservation of cultural heritage.
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio represented by the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin congratulated Wadada for his well deserved title, describing him as a man of honour, integrity and a philanthropy who cares for the general wellbeing of the citizens especially the less privileged in the society. He said they are all proud of him in the National Assembly. Governor Abdullahi Sule on his part also showered encomiums on Wadada for his leadership qualities and legacy to humanity.
In his acceptance speech, Wadada expressed gratitude to God Almighty for sparing his life to witness this honour. He thank the emir and the entire people of Lafia Emirate for finding him worthy of the title which will spur him to continue with the good work for the peace, unity and development of the emirate, state, and Nigeria as a whole. He appreciated those who graced the including Goernors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, Mohammed Bago of Niger state, host Governor Abdullahi Sule, Plateau state deputy governor, former governors, National Assembly members, among others.
