The Ngas people in Nigerian politics and society

The Ngas People in Nigerian Politics and Society

Even though the Ngas are a comparatively small group nationally, they are among the first three largest groups on the Plateau. They have played a key role in National and State Politics.

Yakubu Gowon: The Godly Army General

The most prominent role the Ngas people have played in the political scene of the country is  by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the longest ruler of the nation (Nine  years).He led the country through the civil war that almost tore the country into two. He took the challenge of leadership at a prime age of 32 years. From a very humble religious background (His parents being Christian Missionaries in Hausa land) he grew up in Zaria, a detribalized Nigerian, who pledged during the war that "to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done." 

Joseph Dechi Gomwalk, The Visionary Leader

Joseph Dechi Gomwalk  was a Police Officer. Well educated, intelligent, articulate and visionary man, he has won the admiration of many as a co-leader with Chief J.S. Tarka in the fight for the identity of the Middle Belt minorities. He went to the famous University of Ibadan  and got a degree in Zoology. Joseph within his nine of administering Benue- Plateau State left indelible marks of a visionary and determined leader who lived many years ahead of his time. The following projects among several others attest to this.

• The University of Jos
• The Jos Main Market
• The Benue Plateau Marketing Board
• The Benue Plateau Publishing Company (now PPC)
• The Benue Plateau Television (BPTV). The first colored TV station in Black Africa
• The Elegant Plateau State Government Secretariat
• The Trunk A Jos-Pankshin-Yelwa (Shendam)-Ibi-Wukari-Katsina-Ala Road.
• A Greater Jos Metro Masterplan, the vision of which was hardly comprehended or appreciated by subsequent administration and therefore left in the archives.

Ngas People in Education
Ngas People have also led the other groups in the State in the Education sector. Prof. Umaru Gomwalk was the pioneering Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, in Imo State. He later went to settle a score at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where he served as the Sole Administrator. His  leadership qualities in these positions were very exemplary.