Cross section of guests at the Gongola Peoples Forum in Yola

By Joseph Adahnu, Yola

A former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana has described Gongola region as the bedrock of highly educated people who should discard their differences and chart a better course for the nation.

Professor Gana spoke as guest speaker at a grand reception in Yola, Adamawa State of Gongola People’s forum and presentation of awards to some of its illustrious sons and daughters.

The former Minister, who was represented by Prof Saliva James, stressed the need for unity among the diverse cultural symbiosis of the region.

According to him, the class of elites from various tribes in Adamawa and other states should not allow primordial sentiments of any sort to divide them, but everyone should be given the opportunity to contribute their quota.

Professor Gana called for the establishment of a documentation and research center for proper records of the Gongola people who have a rich cultural heritage.

The former minister noted that there was a lot of religion upheavals in 1804 that affected the unity of the Gongola ethnic nationalities, but their strength, value and cultural heritage did not reduce.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Adamawa State Deputy Governor Professor Kaleptawa Farauta George who represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, senators, former Governor of Adamawa State, Hon Bala Ngilari, representatives of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barrister (Dr) Boss Mustapha and Engr Babachir David Lawan, traditional rulers from Wukari in Taraba State, Bachama kingdom, Guyuk Kingdom, Shelleng, Ganye, Mbula and Batta in Adamawa State and Senator Ishaku Abbo amongst others.