Governor Mutfwang presents Staff of Office to Retired AIG as New Plateau Monarch

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on Friday 19th July 2024 presented staff of office to the new Mwo Ywom of the Ywom Chiefdom, a second class traditional ruler, Retired AIG Bashir Makama Dabup lll at Garkawa in Mikang Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued by the Information Office, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edward Bulus Damwesh and made available to this medium, it was noted that the Governor, while performing the presentation of staff of office and certificate to the new Mwo Ywom at RCM Transferred Primary School Garkawa, praised the Ywom Chiefdom and the Mikang Local Government Area Traditional Council for demonstrating good conduct during the transition period up to the selection of the new monarch and called on all communities to emulate the Ywom Chiefdom.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Arc. Samuel Jatau, the Governor appealed to all communities in the state to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving any differences on issues related to chieftaincy matters in their communities to foster peace and unity.

He stated that the government was assiduously working to fill some vacant stools in the state, but expressed concern over lingering litigations in some communities which he said had stalled the process.

The governor promised, however, that his administration would continue to do its best to ensure that an acceptable process of selection was put in place wherever a vacant stool existed.

In his words, “the ‘Time is now’ administration, upon assuming office, has placed a high premium on galvanizing the traditional institution to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state”, stressing that this effort had promoted social cohesion and harmonious co-existence among the people in the state.

He admonished the new monarch to be proactive and carry his people along, irrespective of creed, religion or any affiliation and avoid tendencies that promote selfish or sectional interest.

Earlier in his remark, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Usman expressed gratitude to the Ywom stakeholders and the royal family for putting heads together for a peaceful selection which led to the emergence of the new monarch.

He called on communities with vacant stools to take a que from the collective will demonstrated by the Ywom nation which led to the successful selection of the new Mwo Ywom.

In his welcome address, the Transitional Implementation Committee Chairman of Mikang Local Government Area, Mr. Daniel Kunmi called on traditional rulers to focus attention on their primary duties and leave governance to the politicians who had the constitutional backing.

He said the selection of the new Mwo Ywom was the will of God and expressed confidence in the ability of the new monarch to bring peace to his people.

The local government boss also used the opportunity provided by the event to call on the state government to construct the bad road linking the community.

On his part, the chairman of Plateau State Joint Traditional Council and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba congratulated the new Mwo Ywom and called on the monarch to ensure that he joined hands with the state government and the traditional council to overcome the challenges that are facing the state.

In his response, the new Mwo Ywom, AIG (RTD) Bashir Makama Dabup lll thanked all stakeholders for their different roles in his selection, particularly the state governor for approving his selection and promised to safeguard the ancestral norms and values and to also use his wealth of experience in defence of his people.

Highlights of the occasion were traditional dances and cultural displays from different groups within the state.