Omala, Nigeria: History
When the Igalas first came from Kwararafa Kingdom, Omala was their entry point, particularly the ancient spiritual town of Otutubatu.
It was at this point the then leader (Atah) of Igala who was too old to continue his journey decided to settle down and charged his younger brother to lead the rest of the tribe southwards on their journey.
Omala's Traditional Head is the Ojogba Onu Ife. Ojogba loosely translated means "he almost became the Atah" steming from the fact that he should have been the ruler of Igala kingdom till date.
Omala Local Government Area was first created in 1982 under the administration of President Shehu Shagari during Nigeria’s Second Republic, when Aper Aku was Governor of the former Benue State.
The movement for its creation was led by Alhaji Sule Iyaji, a prominent political figure who represented Ankpa II – Ife Division in the Benue State House of Assembly from 1979. He later served as Commissioner for Agriculture, and subsequently as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where he used his office to advocate for the establishment of Omala LGA.
Through the collaboration of the Ife Development Association and the Ogodu Progressive Union, the LGA was created by merging the Ife and Ogodu districts. However, its existence was short-lived following the 1983 military coup that brought Major General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
In 1996, the Omala Local Government Area was re-established under General Sani Abacha as part of a national exercise by the State Creation, Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee. Alhaji Sule Iyaji and Pharm. Dr. Ben Ahmodu led the delegation that presented the memorandum for its re-creation, building on the earlier 1982 document. The LGA was officially reinstated on 5 December 1996.