The 10th of October, 2021, the Gbong Gwom Jos, His majesty Da. Jacob Gyang Buba celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary, amidst fun fare, thrills and excitement. The state capital was agog and alive, illuminated by cheering crowds who trooped to the streets in obvious merriment to felicitate with the people’s monarch.
It was a rainbow coalition of locals and residents alike, among them; Beroms, Anagutas, Yorubas, Hausas, Tivs, Igbos, Idoma etc.
Perhaps, this year’s birthday anniversary of the monarch was unique for many reasons; aside marking the 70th birthday of his majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the monarch had earlier on penciled down the names of some notable elders within his domain to be conferred with various categories of traditional titles, for their contributions to the development of the state and the nation at large.
This development has further endeared the Gbong Gwom Jos to the people of Jos and the state in general. Instructively, for the first time in the history of Jos and the state by extension, individuals and tribes from other states that are not necessarily indigenes of the state, were honoured and recognized as traditional title holders of the Berom Kingdom.
This singular show of patriotism and sense of inclusiveness as exemplified by the Gbong Gwom Jos, has generated and elicited widespread positive good-will from across the state and beyond.
However, it is remarkable and commendable that the 4th Gbong –Gwom Jos, has distorted historical dichotomy in favour of the collective interest, peace and unity of his domain, being the nerve centre of the state in general.
As things are now, the Gbong-Gwom Jos kind gesture has elevated Yoruba Woman Mrs. Felicia Chomosodipe as (“Jakadiyan” Jos), Engr. Mansur Nakande, Hausa man as (Makaman Jos), Chief (Dr) Felix Ezeanoche an Igbo man as (Mutawallen Jos), Mr. Austin Pam Dalyop as (Galadiman Jos), others include; Engr. Jang Chuwang Tanko as (Jarman Jos), Da Toma Chuwang Minti as (Ngon Nkanag), Da Michael Gyang Pam as (Sarkin Pada), there are also, Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed the D.G. NTA, as the (Tafidan Jos), among others.
Fundamentally, the elevation of these notable personalities as traditional title bearers in the Berom Kingdom, among them Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo has redefined and clearly restored the dignity of the state as truly the home of peace and hospitality.
However, the actions of the Gbong Gwom Jos, His majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba in this direction, has reaffirmed the capacity of the traditional rulers as agents of communal-peace and custodians of our culture.
The steps taken by the Gbong-Gwom is timely, in the onerous quest for sustainable peace on the Plateau, as this composition would hopefully and surely be the beginning of the end to all ethno-religious crises in the state capital and the state in general.
More importantly, the various ethnic nationalities in the state would now have a sense of belonging in the scheme of things on the Plateau.
By this gesture the Gbong Gwom has finally dismantled all the socio-economic barriers against the unity and progress of Plateau State which had defied all government options in the past.
This historical, commendable and farsighted approach has compelled the sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano and Ooni of Ife, to unanimously described the wisdom of the Gbong Gwom Jos as “extraordinary magnanimity” they all affirmed that, the ides of Da Jacob Gyang Buba, are immensely relevant and desired for the sustaining of peace, not only in the middle-Belt but the northern region and the country at large.
While speaking at a reception to mark the 70th birthday of the monarch, in Jos, recently, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau had said; His majesty Da Gyang Buba has not only demonstrated consistency in his advocacy and creation of conducive environment for peaceful coexistence and economic prosperity of the state, but that of the entire nation.
He further said, the life of Buba Gyang was characterized by persistence, patience, diligence, honesty and philanthropy, both in his professional career and royal capacity.
It is no longer news that events of the recent past in Jos-Plateau were not all that palatable news, as a result of frequent internecine violent conflicts, mostly between the locals and the perceived settlers in the state.
It is gratifying now that the highest traditional ruler on the Plateau had summoned the royal-will to intervene by holistically integrating the perceived settlers on the Plateau into the mainstream traditional and native enclave of the indigenous tribes. It is a step which many analyst, have pointed as the catalyst towards endangering unity, peace and harmonious relationship amongst the diverse ethnic groups on the Plateau.
Pardon me to state that, His majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, has demonstrated in clear terms that he is a twenty-first century traditional ruler, who does not cling to primordial and primitive sentiment.
Apparently, such age long anti-social dogma’s are no longer relevant in the present global environment where racism, bigotry, sectionalism and nepotism are fast becoming old fashioned.
Rather, competence and creativity, and the bond of friendship towards common socio-economic interests are becoming the order, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.
Going back memory lane, since his ascension to the exalted stool of Gbong Gwom Jos, his penchant for unity and peaceful co-existence had manifested, leaving no one in doubt for his quest towards sustainable peace even across the boundaries of Plateau state.
It will be recalled that immediately he became the Gbong Gwom Jos, his first major task was to traversed the length and breath of the country, visiting the Palaces of northern
Emirs; Southwestern Obas, Chiefs in the North-Central and Obi’s and Eze’s in the South-east, seeking for avenues of cooperation towards the unity of their diverse cultures and traditions, which could further cement and bridge the gap of mutual understanding among ethnic leaders and their subjects.
Back in Jos; the Gbong Gwom has created a Platform for the entire state traditional hierarchy, beginning from the ward heads, district heads, village chiefs, up to the first, second and third class chiefs, where they constantly interface in the interest of the security and social wellbeing of the people in their domains.
His majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, is a man of versatile pedigree, he is a community leader, an administrator, business man and employer of labour, a banker by training and reputed to be so magnanimous in his philanthropic gestures towards those in need; widows, orphans and the indigent class in the society.
Being a retired controller General of customs, he has touched the lives of many people in the cause of his philanthropic activities while in office and in his present capacity.
In attesting to the personal attributes of the incumbent Gbong Gwom Jos, the Director General of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Yakubu Ibn Mohammed a childhood friend of the Gbong-Gwom, affirmed that, the spirit of kindness and charity runs in the Buba’s family, he said, during their child-hood days, Da Gyang Buba, would invite all their friends to the family house for lunch or dinner regularly and sometimes Gyang Buba would miss the meals to ensure his friends are satisfied.
His majesty was born in October, 1951, in Madu Village of Du District in the present Jos-South. Attended SUM elementary school Chwelnyap, 1960-1963, completing at Baptist Day School in Jos.
He attended the famous provincial secondary, now Government Science Senior Secondary School Kuru in the present Jos-South LGA of Plateau State.
He was a clerk at the Federal Pay Office 1972 to 1974 and later went to the institute of administration ABU Zaria, where he obtained a diploma in Banking in 1975.
He later enrolled in the Nigeria Customs Service in 1975 as Assistant Preventive Officer, since then the young Buba had steadily climbed the rung of the service steadily, rising to the peak of his career as the controller of the Nigerian Customs in 2004.
He was the chairman of the African Union Sub-committee of Directors General of Customs, 2007-2008. Gyang Buba had attended various conferences and Seminars both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
He was a member of the 2014 National Conference. As well as a recipient of the National honors of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), and the present Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Happy birthday to a man of peace!
*** Mohammed Isa Bilal wrote from Jos Plateau State. 08167989085.
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