Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang on Friday performed the coronation of a new Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit and presented him with a staff of office and certificate as the New Ngolong Ngas in the State.
This came nine years after the demise of the former Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong.
The anticipated event which was held at the Pankshin Township Stadium attracted prominent sons and daughters of the Ngas nation as well as other well wishes.
Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the Ngas nation for a violence-free selection process of the new Ngolong Ngas while warning the aggrieved against needless court actions that are capable of delaying or undermining the selection and installation of traditional rulers in the State.
He said, “I congratulate the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. His selection by the kingmakers, through a peaceful and rancour-free atmosphere, is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the state.
“Let me say at this point that it has become very expedient for us to hold this remarkable occasion at this crucial period of our collective existence. As you are aware, a week of mourning was declared in honour of our beloved people who were gruesomely murdered during the cruel Christmas Eve attacks and the days that followed, in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.
“We are determined to give the traditional institutions their pride of place. Our solemn commitment as a government is to continually strive towards filling all vacant traditional stools in the State in line with my promise and respect for the traditional institutions.
“I am pleased to inform this respected gathering that the royalty of the Ngas Chiefdom and the Pankshin/Kanke Traditional Council has made us proud by showing a high level of decorum and good conduct during the period of transition and up to this moment that God Almighty has blessed the land with another leader to fill in the vacuum created by the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas.”
He added, “As a government, we are determined to resolve all lingering litigations that have brought setbacks to some communities. This will enable us to fill the vacant stools that are left in some parts of the State. Our desire is to move along with all communities in providing tangible development that will improve the living conditions of our people, especially in the rural areas.”
The Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Go’ar also added, “As Ngas Nation, we are very proud that today our foundation as a people is being fortified against the erosion of our value system which has suffered neglect owing to the absence of a paramount leader. We are now confident that our bidding as a people shall henceforth be with recourse to our collective interest.”
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba who is also the Chairman of Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs felicitated the new Ngolong Ngas, announced that the Joint Traditional Council will meet next week to officially welcome him into the Council, calling on politicians to “stop meddling into issues that concern traditional institutions,” and said once the ruling house and the kingmakers have made confirmation as Gazetted, the process of the selection of the traditional ruler should be allowed without interference.”
Remarking, the new Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit appreciated his people and Governor Mutfwang for their support and pledged to carry everybody along during his reign to promote peaceful coexistence in the area.
