First Governor Of Benue-Plateau State, Late JD Gomwalk To Be Granted State Pardon Before End Of 2021-Lalong
Yakubu Busari
Governor Simon Bako Lalong had assured the Plateau state people of his administration now working in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant state pardon to the first military Governor of Benue-Plateau State Late Commissioner of Police, Joseph Deshi Gomwalk.
Lalong said the BSS has impacted positively in local and international economics of the world that the contributions of missionaries touch the lives of Nigeria and the world.
Governor Simon explained further that granting him a State pardon before the end of 2021 the family would know the impact Late Gwomwalk did in building the state.
This was made known to Journalists on Saturday at GOSA anniversary celebration and commissioning of laudably projects in Gindiri by Governor Simon Lalong on the occasion of 70th anniversary.
However ,the BSS Gindiri Old Students Association (GOSA) emphasized on building world standard laboratory science equipment to focus on agricultural,health care delivery and technical,technological revolution.
Governor Lalong alongside his counterpart from Taraba State, Darius Ishaku commissioned series ’of projects built by the Old Students Association of the school in continuation of the week long activities marking the event. As part of his responses to questions by journalists, Lalong highly commended mission schools for the role they have played over the years in keeping the standard of education high which he said had led to producing qualitative graduates who have made remarkable things and equally left indelible marks on the sands of time. Continuing, Gov. Lalong said, “Let me also tell you that the first Governor of Benue-Plateau State, Late JD Gomwalk who left invaluable and outstanding marks in the state, graduated from this Institution.
“I didn’t want to break the news that I have made a request and the President granted it and before the end of this year, JD Gomwalk would be granted State pardon and that pardon would be celebrated in this school.
“He was not only a student but an exceptional one because I understand he left the school as the overall best student.
“That also became a motivation to other students who came to the school after him because when you notice the record that he left, you would be prompted to strive to beat the record and that’s what I have noticed in Gindiri”.
Lalong Posited that in view of the economic crunch, if at all there was anything that could be done to assist mission schools was to give them grants so as to motivate them to continue to produce qualitative graduates.
The Governor further hinted that it was as a result of the remarkable impact of mission schools in the State that led to the establishment of Legacy projects by his administration.
“What we have done in Plateau State is to lay the legacy projects and by the time we complete these projects, you would appreciate what I am saying because we have copied everything from the mission schools and transformed it to public schools for the benefits of those that cannot afford to go to mission schools”, he said.
Gov. Lalong speaking to Journalists after commissioning of projects at BSS Gindiri on Saturday in continuation of the week long activities marking the 70 anniversary of the Institution. By his left is his counterpart from Taraba State Darius Ishaku and to his left is his Deputy, Prof. SG Tyoden.
Late JD Gomwalk (April 13, 1935 – May 25, 1976) was a Nigerian Police Commissioner and the first military Governor of Benue-Plateau after it was formed from part of Northern Region. He was executed due to his alleged connection to Bukar Sukar Dimka’s attempted C’oup against Murtala Mohammed’s Government.
Late Gomwalk, an Ngas by tribe, from Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State attended the BSS Gindiri where he graduated with distinctions in both academics and sports.
He proceeded to the premier University of Ibadan and graduated with a degree in Zoology.
He was Governor from 1967 until 1975 when the military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime was toppled in a C’oup d’etat. A visionary and pragmatic leader, Gomwalk started the Nigeria Standard Newspaper in 1972 which later turned out to be a voice not only for the State but the entire Middle Belt and also became one of the most outstanding and remarkable news medium in Nigeria.
Also, after failing to get ABU Zaria to open a satellite campus in the state, he turned to the University of Ibadan and it opened its Jos Campus which later became the University of Jos in 1971.
After Gowon’s overthrown and the installation of Murtala Mohammed, Gomwalk was implicated in Dimka’s c’oup and was executed by firing squad on May 14, 1976.
