Behold, Serti’s chief who used to be a journalist!

  Serti town, the headquarters of Gashaka local government Area in came to a standstill in a festive mood for four days as a result of the coronation ceremony of the journalist, Alhaji Zubairu Sambo.   The event brought together top personalities from within and outside the country including 42 emirs and chiefs and hundreds […]

 

Serti town, the headquarters of Gashaka local government Area in came to a standstill in a festive mood for four days as a result of the coronation ceremony of the journalist, Alhaji Zubairu Sambo.

 

The event brought together top personalities from within and outside the country including 42 emirs and chiefs and hundreds of journalists from within and outside the state, to the town, located at the foot of the famous Mambilla Plateau which also doubles as a tourism centre, housing the prominent Gashaka Gumti National Park – one of the biggest Parks in the West African sub region.

 

From 24 January to 28 indigenes of the town from all walks of life who trooped home to witness the historic event have acknowledged that perhaps the last time Gashaka saw such a crowd was during the elevation of the status of the late Chief Hammangabdo Muhammadu Sambo from second class chief to first class chief 15 years ago.

 

The occasion started with cultural dances by Ndoro, Kaka, Chamba, Jibawa, Mambilla and Fulani cultural groups who displayed their artistry from morning to midnight with a few breaks, from Wednesday to Saturday.

 

The celebration knew no bounds as both Christians and Muslims, including the Boys Brigade turned out in their numbers to participate.

 

Other activities outlined for event included a mini dubar with beautified horses adorned with colourful costumes which displayed around the town. Some of the tourists who were at the National Park seized the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle.

 

On Friday, January, 27 a special prayer was held at the town’s main Mosque which is located  a stone through  from the palace, the chief Alhaji Zubairu Hamamgabdo, with the Lamdo Banyo from Cameroon , emirs and chiefs in attendance.

 

As early as 7am Saturday people from the chiefdom and invited guest started trooping to the mini stadium, venue of the event and by 9am, the arena was full to capacity with hundreds of attendants from across the 16 local government areas of the state.

 

Some of the top personalities who graced the occasion include the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustpaha Agwai from Nasarawa State who led about ten other emirs and chiefs from the state such as the emirs of Azara, Adudu, chiefs of Doma and Awai among others.

 

Others include the Lamdo of Banyo from Cameroon, the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu from Adamawa State as well as chief of Kaltungu Engr. Saleh Mohammed and Waja from Gombe state.Similarly all Emirs and chiefs fromTaraba state and led by Aku Uka, Mr. Shekarau Agyo who is the Chairman, Council of Emirs and chiefs were in attendance.

 

The late Lamdo Gashaka, Alhaji  Hammangabdo Muhammadu Sambo who is the father of the new Lamdo  was a man of great influence with  friends from all parts of the country.  And it was said to be a factor to the massive turn out of cream of personalities that gathered for the coronation  

 

The late Lamdo had contributed greatly to the development of Gashaka chiefdom it was during his 50-year reign that the chiefdom was elevated from ungraded chiefdom to first class chiefdom.

 

He also built bridges of understanding among people of the chiefdom and as a result Gashaka chiefdom was the most peaceful area in the state.

 

A Mass Communication graduate of Ahmadu Bello University and an active member of Taraba branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) before his appointment, Alhaji Zubairu Hamamangabdo was overwhelmed, so also people of the chiefdom and members of his former constituency the journalists in the state.

 

The ceremony was kicked started at 1.30pm following the arrival of Gov. Darius Dickson Ishaku who performed the coronation ceremony.

 

The Permanent Secretary, Bureau For Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero, in charge of affairs of local government councils and traditional institutions in the state said the selection of the new Lamdo and his coronation was done with dispatch and in accordance with laid down procedure adding that there was no any dispute regarding the stool and that was why the process was done with ease.

 

In a citation on the new Lamdo read by Dr. Usman Abubakar, Lamdo Zubairu was born 47 years ago in Serti and started his early education at Central Primary School Serti from 1975 to 1981.

 

He explained that the new Lamdo proceeded to Government Secondary School, Mayo Belwa now in Adamawa State from 1982 to 1984 and transferred to Government Secondary School Serti from 1984 to 1986.The new Lamdo according to citation obtained a Diploma In Mass Communication as well as Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass communication from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria between 1996 and 2001

 

A practicing Journalist and active member of Nigerian union of journalists, Alhaji Zubairu Hammangabdo worked with Taraba State Ministry Of Information and was  appointed  special adviser by Governor Darius Ishaku   in 2016 few months to his appointment as Lamdo Gashaka.

 

After reading the citation, Alhaji Zubairu Hamangabdo was invited to the podium for the installation and presentation of staff of office. The new Lamdo was accompanied by his Royal family members and king makers to the podium.

 

Few moments’ later Governor  Dariusin accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Anna Darius, his deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu and other top government officials mounted the podium in preparation of the event.

 

In his address, Governor Darius Ishaku extolled the virtues of the late Lamdo Alhaji Hamangabdo Mohammed Sambo saying he ruled his subjects with fairness and justice.

 

He said that because of the quality leadership of the late Lamdo, Gashaka chiefdom had enjoyed peace and harmony resulting in rapid development.

 

The Governor therefore urged the new Lamdo to follow in the footsteps of his late father by ruling his subjects with fairness and justice.

 

“You have a big task ahead and you must work hard to consolidate the achievement of your late father by uniting the entire people of your chiefdom” Darius advised.

 

In his remark the new Lamdo pledged to be fair and just to his subjects and also work for the progress of his chiefdom and the state in general.