After 28 years Takum gets traditional ruler

Dr Agbu Kefas, the Taraba State Governor, on Monday, presented the staff of office to Sopiya Ahmadu-Gbosi the newly-installed first-class Chief of Takum.

This is coming after 28 years without monarch.

At the Government House in Jalingo, on Monday, the governor also presented staff of office to the third-class chief of Jukun Takum, Uhwe Bala, and the third-class chief of Garbabi in the Gashaka Local Government Area, Suleiman Umar Salihu.

The seat of the Ukwe Takum, in Takum Local Government Area of the state, became vacant following the death of the last Ukwe Takum, Ahmadu Ali, in 1996, giving rise to a crisis of succession, with the three major tribes in Takum town, Kuteb, Chamba, and Kpanzun, laying claim to the throne.

Governor Kefas, in February, signed into law an amended law which created three third-class chiefdoms for the three tribes and made provision for the rotation of the first-class stool among the tribes.

“The appointment of Barrister Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi as the first-class Chief of Takum is a great and historic ceremony, after almost three decades of a vacant throne.

“This appointment marks a new era of stability and progress in Takum. The move aims to ensure inclusivity and sustainable peace, carried out after careful consultation. It is indeed a groundbreaking process for us and future generations,” the governor said.

Kefas called for dialogue, saying those still aggrieved should approach the government, instead of the court.

“We appreciate the two ruling houses that came forward, and we call on the others that headed to court to embrace dialogue. We are open to dialogue and committed to the rule of law.

“I encourage the people to embrace reconciliation and inclusivity during this transition period, acknowledging profoundly the cooperation of the two ruling families.

“As a government, we will continue to walk the path of peace in our bid to have a harmonious society,” he added.

At the presentation ceremony, the governor also unveiled the launch of an endowment fund for the development of Takum and other areas affected by crises in the state.

He said, the endowment fund, would cover physical infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and social welfare, targeting to help in rebuilding crisis-torn communities, especially Takum.

Ahmadu-Gboshi, speaking on behalf of the three traditional rulers, express gratitude to the governor and urged him to use the same synergy and efforts to resolve other crises in the state.