Gongola Peoples Forum establishes council of elders to promote ethnic unity among Adamawa and Taraba States, rekindling ties of the former Gongola state

January 22, 2025

By Adedayo Abiodun

The Gongola Peoples Forum, a socio-cultural movement, has taken a bold step towards promoting unity and self-determination among the people of Adamawa and Taraba states, formerly known as the old Gongola State.

The forum has inaugurated a 34-member Council of Elders, comprising eminent personalities from various fields.

The Council of Elders was inaugurated in Yola, with Markus Gundiri, the National Chairman of the forum, stating that the members were carefully selected to represent each local government area in Adamawa State.

Gundiri emphasized the significance of the occasion, saying, “Today, as we meet to inaugurate the Elders Council, we remember such legends as Mallam Yerima Balla, Jonah Asadugu, Philip Maken, Gayus Gilama, Abubakar Barde, Ambassador Wilberforce Bafte Juta, Dr Bala Takaya, Senator Paul Wampana, among others, who must be smiling today as they see the breakthrough we have made in our age-old struggle for self-determination”

The Council of Elders includes notable individuals such as former Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari, retired General Bitrus Kwaji, Hajiya Zainab Maina, and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, among others.

General Halidu Anthony Hananiya (retd), the national leader of the forum, expressed his delight at the activities of the socio-cultural organization, stating that the inauguration of the Council of Elders was a call to duty.

The Gongola Peoples Forum aims to rally the people of the old Gongola State, now Adamawa and Taraba states, to promote unity, self-determination, and socio-cultural development.

The inauguration of the Council of Elders marks a milestone in the forum’s efforts to achieve its goals.