Plateau, Nasarawa govs bag chieftaincy titles

THE paramount ruler of Gamai nation, the Long Gamai, Miskoom Martins Shaldas, has conferred chieftaincy titles on Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Tanko Almakura, after his installation as the 31st Long Gamai.

Miskoom Shaldas, shortly after he received staff of office as a first class traditional ruler said he deemed it fit to do his first assignment by conferring honorary traditional titles on the two deserving Governors based on their commitments and loyalty to the Gamai nation.

The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Lalong, was conferred with the title of Gwad-Gamai, which means “Shield of the Gamai People” while Almakura was installed as the Rin-Gamai which means “Shade of the Gamai.

He  promised to carry all his subjects along and administer  justice to all irrespective of religion affiliations just as he commended the Plateau State governor for the prevailing peace in the state.

Speaking at the occasion Governor Simon Lalong stated  that the process of  selection of the Long Gamai was thorough and devoid of any interference or sentiment from any quarters, adding that it was done through a credible and acceptable traditional process of selection devoid of any external interference.

“Where political interest interfere with time tested traditional processes of selection, the sanctity of the institution is desecrated and conflict of interests results in the disruption of peace and peaceful coexistence. That is why in all my public engagements in all the areas where I have coronated paramount rulers, I had course to request a physical confirmation and validation of the process by the king makers themselves before the official coronation.”

The governor said as part of his deliberate rural development strategy, the report on the creation of chiefdoms, districts and villages would be forwarded to the House of Assembly for legal backing thereafter, it would be implemented.

He called on all the Gamai people to close ranks and support the new Long Gamai and give him all the necessary cooperation needed for the advancement and protection of the tradition of the Gamai nation while striving to maintain peace and unity amongst all inhabitants of the traditional boundaries of Gamai land.”

Also speaking, Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State prayed for wisdom and long life for the Long Gamai and the heart to carry all his subjects along.