ABI’U BAUKA Elects New National Leadership
From Lynn Adda
A Portharcourt based architect, Agbu Dan’azumi Adashu has been elected as the new President of the ABI’U BAUKA Social and Cultural Development Association, a pressure and welfare society for the people of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Samson Ada (right) handing over the affairs of the Association to the New President, Agbu Dan’azumi Adashu (left)
Also elected at the Annual Town Hall Meeting of the Association held at the Multipurpose of the Kwararafa University, Wukari in Taraba State were Mr Dantani T Angyu, Vice President 1, Mr Hosea David Yerima, Vice President 2, Mr Peter N. Audu, Secretary General and Mallam Dahiru A. Dan’azumi, Assistant Secretary General.
Others include Chibaki Haruna, Treasurer, Doris Lami Madugu, Financial Secretary, Orume Ba’aku, Organising Secretary, Wakasa A. Solomon, Assistant Organising Secretary, Yohanna Dantani, Social Secretary, Alhassan Abdullahi Agyo, Public Relations Officer, Kingsley James Angyu, Internal Auditor and Barr Amos Danu Endakwafya, Legal Adviser.
In his acceptance speech, the new President, Arc Agbu Dan’azumi Adashu appreciated the members of the Association for the confidence reposed in him and his Exco, promising not to disappoint them and solicited for their prayers.
The President also promised to work towards actualising the core purposes of establishing the Association, stressing that the new leadership will strive to ensure that the message of Association reaches the grassroots where the majority of the people reside.
Arc Agbu Dan’azumi Adashu
He equally pledged to place greater attention to education and unity among the members of the community.
Earlier in his welcome and farewell address, the outgone President of the Association, Elder Samson Ada King, lauded the members for their support and cooperation during his Exco’s four years tenure, calling for the extension of same to the new leadership.
Elder Samson Ada King
He therefore outlined some of the achievements recorded by the former leadership.
According to him, the Political Committee set up by the Association mobilized the people to participate in all the previous elections leading to the election of prominent sons into various political offices, saying the elections were largely rancour free.
“During the period under review, the National Exco made appeals to the State government to replace obsolete power transformers to enhance steady electricity supply to our people and the reactivation of the TSBS booster station, which were all attended to by the state government.
“In the area of security, Our cries and the pressures mounted on the elders were responded to. We wish to commend His Excellency for the citing of the 114 Battalion in Wukari. We believe this will go a long way to curbing the insecurity experienced in Wukari and its environs. In the same, we equally collaborated with the Wukari Traditional Council to campaign for peace and peaceful coexistence among the residents of our area, leading to the relative peace we are experiencing.
“Our plea to members to study hard to enable them to qualify for key positions has also yielded positive results as many of our people have now acquired higher degrees. Additionally, we collaborated with the Wukari Traditional Council to ensure our people especially aspiring students get proper placements in some courses in higher institutions of learning.
“We have equally recorded more teachers who are now teaching Jukun languages in primary and secondary schools in our area. Relatedly, there was complain of lack of science teachers in most of our schools. The Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board was contacted on issue and our efforts paid off because more science teachers were deployed to some of the schools.
“We also established an inter-faith committee to promote religious tolerance with a view to creating a society where peace and justice will prevail.
“We equally want to inform this gathering that we made attempts to make cases for delineation of wards which would lead to creation of an additional Constituency in Wukari Local Government Area. A lawyer was engaged to work out the criteria for the actualisation of the creation of more wards including writing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“We also made some contacts on the need to ensure the resumption of work on the Ibi bridge. We have already briefed His Excellency, Governor Agbu kefas on these two important issues. We advise the incoming leadership to pursue these matters to its logical conclusion in view of their significance to the socio-economic and political development of our area”.
Elder Samson Ada King thanked all the members of the Exco for their commitment and support during the tenure.
“Before I end my address, let me use this opportunity to commend the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu kefas for his continued support and encouragement to the Association.
“We also wish to thank our Patron, His Majesty, the Aku Uka, Dr Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen for his fatherly, moral and financial support to ABI’U Bauka.
“We also recognize the moral and financial support of His Excellency, the former Governor of Taraba State, Arc Darius Ishaku, the Board of Directors of the Association and the entire members for your support, cooperation and encouragement”.
In a message to the event, the Aku Uka, Dr Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen, commended the various initiatives employed by the Association to promote peace,religious tolerance and unity among the people of the area.
Manu Awudu Atoshi in the middle presenting the Aku Uka’s speech
Represented by the Chief of Assa Chiefdom, Manu Awudu Atoshi, commended the immediate past Exco for the successes recorded, challenging the new leadership to strive to address the outstanding issues left by the outgone leadership.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Jalingo branch of the Association, Dr Ma’aku Mark Joshua, said the association has made strides in various initiatives aimed at fostering education and promoting cultural awareness.including the Jukun Unity Center in Jalingo now at linter level.
Dr Ma’aku Mark Joshua
According to him, these efforts have not only strengthened the bond as a community but have also showcased the resilience and determination of the ABIU BAUKA family.
“The challenges we face are multifaceted, from economic hardships to social disparities. It is imperative that we continue to work together, harnessing our collective strength and wisdom to address these issues head-on. Our unity is our greatest asset, and it is through collaboration that we can achieve meaningful change.
“Today, as we gather to elect our National President, we are not just choosing a leader; we are selecting a visionary who will guide us in the coming years. We need a leader who embodies the values of integrity, dedication, and inclusivity. A leader who will listen to the voices of all members, regardless of their background, and work tirelessly to ensure that our association thrives.
“Let us choose a leader who will not only represent us but will also inspire us to reach new heights. A leader who will advocate for our rights, promote our culture, and foster an environment where every member feels valued and empowered.
“As we move forward, let us remember that our strength lies in our diversity. Each branch, each member, brings unique perspectives and talents to the table. Let us celebrate our differences and work together towards our common goals”.
Justice Joel Filibus Agya
The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Filibus Agya who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association, stressed the need for members to show commitment to its activities through attendance of its programmes and meetings.
