society
Chief Of Takum: Dear Tarabans, The Right Time Is Now! By Oluwatosin Alex
*Chief Of Takum: Dear Tarabans, The Right Time Is Now! By Oluwatosin Alex
Since 1996, after the demise of the last Ukwe Takum Ali Kufang, there have been several crises regarding the appointment of a first class chief in Takum. There has been absolutely no government or administration that was able to resolve the crisis and successfully appoint a replacement. In other words, the stool of the paramount ruler of Takum has been vacant for 28 years.
The immediate past government of Darius Ishaku attempted to create a solution to the more than two decades chieftaincy crisis but it was met by great opposition among the ethnic groups in Takum local government. Just like every other administration, the crisis was unable to be resolved till the expiration of the former governor’s tenure.
Meanwhile, the absence of a paramount ruler in Takum has prevented meaningful development from happening in the region. The people of Takum have needs to be met, the region ought to have become a major development trailblazer in Taraba state but the unavailability of an authority in the grassroot has continued to rob the people off what they truly deserve.
Traditional rulers are an integral part of any government, they are not the stooges of governors; rather, they serve as intermediaries between the government and the grassroot people. They can be described as the bridge that connects the government and the people. Apart from their functions as a bridge, they are also responsible for the maintenance of peace and order, they settle disputes and ensure there is harmony in their communities. Therefore, the absence of any traditional ruler, regardless of the class, would definitely have an adverse effect on the people in the grassroot. A community void of a traditional ruler cannot be immune against ethnicity crisis, insecurity, under-development, mismanagement of resources, to mention but a few.
In recognition of the need for a traditional ruler especially in Takum since the demise of the last Ukwe Takum, governors that have emerged in Taraba state have tried to make sure another paramount ruler is installed for the major purpose of development and progress in the region. Of course, some of these governors didn’t handle the process well during their tenures but the current governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas has done more than anyone would do to peacefully resolve the chieftaincy crisis in Takum.
Over the years, the major tribes in Takum namely Jukun, Chamba and Kuteb have always been the ones opposing the installation of a new Ukwe Takum and in a way to appease them, Governor Agbu Kefas through the state assembly approved the creation of three third-class chiefdoms and one first-class rotational stool between the tribes of Chamba, Jukun, and the Kuteb.
To make the process of selection transparent, Governor Agbu Kefas through the office of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs called for a meeting to select who occupies the newly created chiefdoms which the Kuteb-speaking tribe declined to attend.
The Commissioner for Information and Reorientation Zainab Usman revealed that the Takum traditional kingmakers have graciously accepted two persons to occupy the two stools of Chamba and Jukun Takum which necessitated government approval.
”The appointments of the following third class chiefs have been approved by the Governor, they are HRH Uhwe Bala Ephraim as 3rd class chief (Tsohon Jukun Takum) HRH Barr Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi III as third class chief ( Gar Chamba Takum),” he said.
The kuteb appears to be the only tribe that isn’t satisfied with the arrangement of a rotational first class traditional ruler among the major tribes and third class chiefs. According to Chief Emmanuel Ukwen, Chairman of The Kutep Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), a social cultural group for the Kuteb people of Taraba State, the seat of Ukwe was ancestral inheritance and so could not be shared with non-Kuteb people as being contemplated by the state government.
While it is understandable that the stool of Ukwe Takum has never been shared with non-kuteb people, there is also the need to know that there is no sacrifice too big or much for peace. The Kuteb leadership is focused on the status quo too much, forgetting that everyone, every tribe needs to be carried along for a peaceful co-existence when it comes to leadership.
For decades, Takum has greatly suffered due to the kind of opposition being fielded by the leadership of Kuteb and for how long will the region remain under-developed because of one tribe? The government is making efforts to restore normalcy in Takum and it won’t speak well if one tribe out of three is sabotaging the government’s efforts.
Takum has been given several opportunities to return to its glory days but they were not utilized. Governor Agbu Kefas has gone the extra mile to create another chance for the people, Tarabas should not allow the Kuteb tribe to sabotage this opportunity again. It is time to support the governor to put an end to this long-decade chieftaincy crisis.
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Land grabbers invade FGC Kano…. Old Students
The Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association (FGCKOSA)
wishes to formally draw the attention of the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to a deeply troubling
development involving the proposed concession of approximately 30 hectares of
land within Federal Government College Kano under a Public-Private Partnership
arrangement.
We state, with utmost concern, that this initiative represents a destruction of a
national educational legacy carefully built and handed over to the current
generation of leaders. Unity Schools were established as symbols of excellence,
integration, and nation-building. Any action that diminishes their integrity reflects
a troubling disregard for the power of education as a driver of national progress.
At a time when nations across the world are investing more in education
infrastructure and expanding capacity, it is deeply alarming that we are instead
dismantling and commercializing existing assets meant for learning. This
proposed development signals a shift away from long-term educational value
toward short-term commercial interests.
It is also important to note that the alumni community has, over the years,
collectively invested billions of naira in the development of the College—
consistently funding infrastructure, supporting academic programs, and
strengthening the institution without taking any portion of school land or
seeking anything in return. This record reflects a deep, selfless commitment to
the school’s growth and sustainability.
Furthermore, the alumni has formally established a dedicated foundation focused
on the perpetuation of the College and the advancement of academic
excellence, with plans to raise ₦5 billion at its official launch in June 2026. This
demonstrates that credible, mission-aligned funding alternatives already exist without compromising the intergrity of the school
Our objections are as follows:
1. Misuse of Educational Land for Commercial Gain:
The proposed project is fundamentally a residential and commercial real
estate venture. This constitutes a clear diversion of federally designated
educational land into private hands, undermining the original purpose for
which the land was acquired.
2. Threat to Student Safety and Academic Environment:
The introduction of a mixed-use estate sharing boundaries with the school
exposes students to avoidable risks and erodes the controlled, secure
environment required for effective learning.
3. Irreversible Damage to School Capacity and Future Growth:
The land identified for this project includes critical open spaces necessary
for recreation, expansion, and future development. Any project that
reduces the capacity of the school to grow, expand, and improve its
facilities cannot, in any form, be considered beneficial to the institution.
4. Fundamental Question of Necessity:
Why Federal Government College Kano land? Kano State is one of the
largest states in the country, with abundant land available for real estate
development. There is no justification for appropriating land from an
existing educational institution when alternatives clearly exist.
5. No Tangible Benefit to the School:
There is no scenario under which this land-swap PPP arrangement
benefits the school. On the contrary, all available evidence suggests that
the project is structured primarily for private commercial gain. We are
compelled to state that this raises serious concerns that the promoters
intend to rip off the government and the Nigerian people under the guise
of a PPP arrangement.
Your Excellency, this matter goes beyond a single institution. It raises a
fundamental question about our national priorities: whether we will protect and
strengthen our educational institutions, or allow them to be gradually eroded.
We therefore respectfully call on the President to:
• Immediately cancel the proposed PPP land concession;
• Protect the sanctity and integrity of Unity Schools nationwide
*Ensure that no action is taken that compromises the future of education
in Nigeria.
We also strongly advise members of the public to refrain from purchasing or
investing in any land or property associated with this scheme, as it is under
serious dispute and may be overturned, exposing buyers to financial loss.
FGCKOSA wishes to make it clear that we will not relent in pursuing all lawful and
legal avenues to overturn this illegal arrangement. We remain committed to
safeguarding the legacy of our institution and ensuring that it continues to serve
future generations.
Signed,
Shoyinka Shodunke
President
Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association (FGCKOSA)
Revival Atmosphere as Dominion City Launches Night of Glory 2026.
Lagos – The atmosphere was charged with faith, worship, and expectancy as Dominion City’s Global Camp Meeting 2026 entered its peak with the first day of the “Night of Glory,” drawing thousands of worshippers to Lagos and Enugu in a powerful display of spiritual revival.
Held at the Golden Heart Place, Ajah, Lagos, the Friday evening gathering marked a significant moment in the ongoing six-day conference themed “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers.” Participants from across Nigeria and beyond converged both physically and online, united by a shared hunger for divine encounter and transformation.
From the outset, the meeting was characterised by intense worship sessions led by gospel ministers, creating an atmosphere many attendees described as “tangible with God’s presence.” The night quickly transitioned into sessions of fervent prayers, prophetic ministrations, and teachings centred on restoration, healing, and spiritual awakening.
Presiding over the meeting, Dr. David Ogbueli, founder of Dominion City, charged participants to reconnect with foundational truths and spiritual disciplines necessary for personal and societal transformation. He emphasised that the “Night of Glory” was designed as a moment of divine visitation where destinies could be reshaped.
“As we redig the wells of our fathers, we are reconnecting with ancient graces and covenant realities that produce undeniable results,” he declared.
As the night unfolded, several remarkable testimonies were shared, reinforcing the theme of supernatural intervention. Among them was the case of a 14-year-old girl who was reportedly delivered from a seven-year struggle with pornography addiction, an experience that drew emotional reactions from the congregation.
Other testimonies included reported healing from cancer, recovery from a severe skin infection attributed to spiritual affliction, the healing of a heart-related condition, and three years of a non-menstrual period. Attendees also recounted instances of restored hearing and sight, with individuals testifying to improvements from partial deafness and blindness, among others.
Fathers of faith present were Barrister Emeka Nwankpa, Pastor Yemi Ayodele, Rev. Pade Tokun, Apostle Gbenga Adegbenro, Rev. Mike Adegbile, and others. Other Ministers present, including Pastor Dr. Charles Ndifon, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and others, reinforced messages of faith and the power of God to intervene in human situations. They encouraged worshippers to remain steadfast and receptive, noting that miracles often spring from an atmosphere of unwavering belief.
Beyond the miraculous, the gathering also underscored a broader call to moral and spiritual renewal. Church leaders reiterated the need for believers to embody values that can positively influence society, especially in a time of perceived moral decline.
The “Night of Glory” is part of the larger Global Camp Meeting, which began on April 1 and will run through April 6, featuring daily teachings, leadership sessions, and specialized programmes for youths and families.
Organisers say expectations remain high for the second night, with many believing that the wave of miracles and transformation witnessed on the first night is only the beginning.
For many attendees, however, the message was clear beyond the signs and wonders; the true essence of the gathering lies in a renewed commitment to live transformed lives and impact society. //END.//
Easter: Obasa Urges Christians To Embrace Hope, Unity, Renewal
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated Christian faithful in Lagos and across Nigeria on the celebration of Easter, urging them to draw strength from the lessons of Christ’s resurrection.
In his Easter message, released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dave Agboola, Obasa described the season as a reminder of victory over despair, renewal after trials, and the triumph of light over darkness. He noted that just as Christ overcame death, Nigeria can overcome its current challenges if citizens remain steadfast, prayerful, and committed to unity.
“Easter is a season of hope and renewal. As a nation, we face economic pressures and security concerns, but the resurrection teaches us that no situation is beyond redemption. Let us roll away the stones of division and despair, and work together for peace, justice, and prosperity,” the Speaker said.
He called on Lagosians to continue to show love and compassion to one another, stressing that collective effort is key to building a stronger Lagos and a better Nigeria.
Obasa prayed that the joy of Easter would fill homes with renewed faith and guide both leaders and citizens toward a brighter future.
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