12 October 2008
opinion
The transition of our great leader, His Majesty, Mallam Gwamna Awan, to eternal glory came to me as a rude shock. Although His Majesty's call to eternal glory came at a ripe age, nobody close to him would like to miss him. A very lovely fellow, he was a father to all and was not expected to leave us at a time like this.
Awan was a leader in all sense. It is on record that he was one of the pioneer nationalist leaders who fought aggressively for the emancipation of his people. He laid down his life for the complete emancipation of his people. He would be well remembered for his role as a leader of the Middle Belt Zone League, which was a forerunner of the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC).
Awan with Pastor David Lot and the present monarch of Ibiraland His Majesty Ado Ibrahim, was among the first generation of Middle Belt leaders. It was after them that Chief J.S. Tarka and Hon. Patrick Dokotri took over mantle of leadership. He was real patriot, a lover of the oppressed.
His over six decade's leadership of Kagoro chiefdom has greatly placed the chiefdom on global map. Many sons and daughters have made indelible breakthroughs in their chosen careers. This is not by chance, but result of good leadership by his majesty.
He encouraged his subjects to be hard working, to send their children to school. He also supported churches in establishing schools and health centers. Today we can see the benefits of that vision. The level of manpower in Kagoro chiefdom, Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt area, and Nigeria as a whole is part of this great efforts of Awan.
All these achievements and many others that promoted good governance and total emancipation of the people were the resultant efforts of His Majesty's thoughtful and dynamic leadership. He was no doubt a man of foresight, a bridge-builder. He did this well linking the Middle Belt with the far North, and the South, to promote national unity and integration.
The death of this inspired leader is a big loss not only to Kagoro chiefdom, Southern Kaduna People Union (SOKAPU), Kaduna State, Middle Belt, and Nigeria but to all lovers of equity, social justice and democracy.
I, therefore, on behalf of myself, my wife, Ambassador (Prof) Mary Lar, and my First and Second Republic political associates, send our condolences to the good people of Kaduna State, the governor, Arch. Sambo Namadi, his cabinet, the traditional council, and the local government area. We also commiserate with his immediate family that God of all comfort will comfort us all.
Chief (Dr) Solomon D. Lar (CON), Walin Langtang
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