Group Calls For Unity And Progress Of North Central Nigeria

The second congress meeting of a group called the Bridge held at Lashom Suites, Sparkling Junction, Dadin Kowa-Jos on Tuesday, 13th September, 2016 rose with a call for unity and progress of North Central Nigeria in particular and the nation in general.

Members were unanimous in their call for the North Central Nigeria also known as the Middle Belt Region to come together and speak with one voice like the Afenifere, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Arewa Consultative Forum, the Ijaw National Council and other Ethnic groupings in the nation for the collective interest of the zone.

In his welcome address, the Plateau State Coordinator, Chief Emmanuel T. Mangni commended Ibrahim Pam of the National Secretariat of The Bridge for his organizational skills which assisted Plateau State Chapter of The Bridge to be a trail blazer in all activities of the group. He also commended Prof. Joseph Golwa, Dr. Haruna Dabin and all those who ensured the smooth take off of the group in Plateau State albeit the National body.

Mangni gave an insight into the formation of the group as he said; “the purpose of The Bridge is to unite our people in the North Central zone of Nigeria politically. We have not fared well, though our presence was felt in the military era”.

The State Coordinator state how the people of the Middle Belt region have been suffering since the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) under Late Joseph Tarka, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) under Late Chief Solomon Daushep Lar and then the North Central Consultative Forum. Thus, he said, The Bridge’ Logo connotes unity by joined fists and The Bridge is not partisan as all religious, ethnic and political affiliations are welcome. He continued that The Bridge is a political outfit without necessarily being partisan. It is for all manner of persons from the North Central Geo-Political zone of Nigeria who are free to hold any faith or political association of their choice.

The meeting agreed for mass mobilization of members cutting across religious, ethnic and political divide.

The general congress ratified the elections of the following Executive Council members:

1. Chief Emmanuel T. Mangni from Pankshin – Coordinator
2. Hon. Dina Lar from Langtang North – Deputy Coordinator
3. Dr. Daniel Kokong from Bassa – Vice Coordinator

4.Mrs. Mary Ezekiel from Langtang South – Women Leader

5. Hon. Ayuba Burki from Mangu – Coordinator, Persons with Disability
6. Rev. M. D. Adams from Bokkos – Youth Leader
7. Mr. Yusuf Monday Dilas from Bassa (Rukuba) – Secretary
8. Hon Sadat Garga from Kanam – Deputy Secretary
9. Hon. Paul Dapar from Quan Pan -State Assistant Secretary,
10. Hon. Phoebe Iddo from Jos North – Treasurer
11. Chief Amb. Nanyah A. Daman from Langtang North -State Publicity Secretary
12. Hon. Rwang Gyang Pwajok from Jos North – Organizing Secretary
13. Mrs. Jikirit Goyit from Kanke – Financial Secretay
14. Mr. Adamu Bala from Mangu – Assistant Organizing Secretary

The members of Board of Trustees ratified by the congress include: Amb. Fidelis Tapgun from Shendam, Alh. Idi Waziri from Wase, Rt. Hon. Michael Dapialong from Quanpan; all from the southern zone of Plateau State. Chief Alexander Molwus from Pankshin and Amb. Bagudu Hirse from Mangu; from Plateau Central while Hon. Sam Gyang from Barkin Ladi and Engr. Musa I Azi from Jos East are from Plateau North.

National Steering Committee Members per zone were also ratified by the congress. They include:

1. Southern Zone: Hon. Joyce Ramnap, Hon. Dio Lamul, Hon. Alh. Zakari Wase, Hon. Zainab Dogo, Tabitha Gossele, Hon. Idi Waziri, Mrs. Gwammen, Dr. Abdullahi Bawa Wase Chief Amb. Nanyah Andrew Daman, Hon. Kemi Nshe.
2. Central Zone: Hon. Bagudu Hirse, Hon. Gideon Adamu, Alh. Mohammed Mavo, Prof. Joseph Golwa, Dr. Haruna Dabin, Chief Emmanuel T. Mangni, Mrs. Justina Vrangle, Hon. Caleb Mwansat, Nde Alexander Molwus, Hon. Monday Kassa, Rt. Hon. Titus Alams.
3. Northern Zone: Hon. Davou Mang, Hon. Joshua Mangadi, Hon. James Pam (ALO), Chief Barnabas Ejitse, Hon. Jacob Adikaba, Chief James Agwok, Chief Makwim, Chief Aminu Zang, Chief Ismaila Ransa, Hon. Theresa Kaze, Hon. Sam Gyang.

The Bridge Steering Committee members will be put in the following committees:

1. Contact and Mobilization Committee
2. Finance Committee
3. Investment and Economic Development Committee
4. Legal Committee
5. Media and Publicity Committee
6. Political Committee
7. Research and Planning Committee
8. Intelligence and Security Committee
9. Women, Youth and Persons with Disability Committee
10. Audit Committee
11. Socio-Cultural Committee