The Gongola Peoples Forum, a socio-cultural movement of ethnic nationalities in and around Adamawa State, has inaugurated a 34-member Council of Elders.
The forum, which was launched last year and has been gaining rising fame across much of the North East, seeks generally to rally the people of the old Gongola State, now Adamawa and Taraba states.
The Council of Elders, inaugurated in Yola on Saturday, comprises eminent personalities who have been charged with being the think-tank of the forum.
Members of the Council of Elders include a former Adamawa State governor, Bala Ngilari, retired General Bitrus Kwaji, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Mrs Titi Malik, General Haldu Anthony Hananiya (retd), Col Andrawus Sawa (retd), Mr Benson Atanga, and Mr Caleb Tabwasah.
The others are Chief Joel Hammajoda Madaki, Mr Festus Donato, Mr Maliki Daniel, Musa Jekeko, Lawrence Ngbale, Chief Medan, Prof Istifanus Zabadi, Alhaji Kasheem Njidda, Mr Polycarp Kaigama Sopkonso, Martins Babale, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Senator Amos K. Yohanna, and Engr Babachir Lawal.
Markus Gundiri, DIG Philemon Leha (retd), Senator Ishaku Abbo, Engr Yusuf Audu, Hon Justice Bemare Bansi (retd), General Lawrence Ngubane (retd), former Governor Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, Chief David Barau, Senator Binos D. Yaroe, and Chief Dan Leonard Nzadon are also members.
In inaugurating the Council of Elders, the National Chairman of the forum, Markus Gundiri, said they were carefully selected, and each local government area in Adamawa State was equally represented.
“Today, as we meet to inaugurate the Elders Council, we remember such legends as Mallam Yerima Balla, Jonah Asadugu, Philip Maken, Gayus Gilama, Abubakar Barde, Ambassador Wilberforce Bafte Juta, Dr Bala Takaya, Senator Paul Wampana, among others, who must be smiling today as they see the breakthrough we have made in our age-old struggle for self-determination,” Gundiri said.
General Halidu Anthony Hananiya (retd), who is designated as the national leader of the forum, said he was delighted by the activities of the socio-cultural organisation, adding that their inauguration was a call to duty.
