A regional group based in Adamawa State, the Gongola Peoples Forum, has held what turned out to be the marking of the first anniversary of five chiefdoms and two emirates created in the state in December last year.
The Forum on Saturday mobilized cultural troops from across Adamawa State and from neighbouring Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi and some other states farther away but within Nigeria’s Middle Belt Zone for what it termed the ‘Gongola Peoples Fiesta’ but which became a tribute to the seven chiefdoms and emirates.
The Forum, a group of ethnic nationalities that essentially seeks to create their identities separate from the larger Hausa-Fulani dominance, attracted leaders who without exception hailed the creation of the one-year-old Hoba, Madagali, Michika, Gombi and Dumne chiefdoms as well as the Fufore and Maiha emirates.
The seven were carved out in December 2024 by the Adamawa State Government after several decades of them being parts of the hitherto large Adamawa Emirate or Mubi Emirate.
Speaking during the Gongola Peoples Grand Cultural Fiesta which took place at the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola, chairman of the ocassion, retired Gen Paul Tarfa, said, “My dear indigenous ethnic nationalities, you are gathered here today to celebrate and appreciate Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who created seven emirates and chiefdoms.”
Tarfa urged the huge crowd to indulge their “air of freedom” as they took their dance steps.
In a speech on behalf the paramount rulers of the seven new chiefdoms and emirates, the paramount ruler of the Hoba Chiefdom, the Tol Hoba, Dr Alheri Nyako, said the event was a momentous occassion of joy and gratitude for the seven traditional institutions, thanking the government for bringing the institutions into being.
The Adamawa State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mr Alphonsus Babadoke who represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on the occassion, appreciated the Gongola Peoples Forum for supporting the decision of government to create the traditional institutions.
1 year after, Adamawa regional group celebrates creation of chiefdoms, emirates