By Musa Isa Ahmed
Adamawa State is officially in mourning. For three days, the flags will be flying at half-mast. The tributes have been flowing in since Saturday morning in memory of Ambassador Wilberforce Bafte Juta, former deputy governor and later governor of Gongola State. Gongola State is defunct, even as it metamorphosed into Adamawa and Taraba States in 1991, fifteen years after its creation.
Wilberforce Juta was died after 76-year sojourn on this planet. He has paid his dues. He has made his mark. He has carved his niche. The growth of Gongola State from infancy to growth is attributed to many people of that era who were at the helm of affairs. The name Wilberforce Juta notably stands exceptionally high above in the roll call of who is who in the state. Many people recognize the contributions of Juta in the development of Gongola State as a pillar of the Barde administration in the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983.
Conversely, the younger generation does not know this wonderful architect of the precursor of Adamawa and Taraba States.
The Barde government is known for either Initiating or bringing up landmarks such as 80 Housing Units, Legislators Quarters, Gongola Television, Gongola Brewery, Lau Tomato Factory, Baissa Timber Industry, State Secretariat, House of Assembly, Government House, State University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urban Roads in the capital and the highways across the state, and many many others.
Wilberforce Juta was born in May 1944 at Pakka in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He studied at USA for his first and second degrees. In 1971, he was principal of Hong Secondary School and Government Secondary School, Jalingo to 1977. He resigned from the post of principal in December 1978 for politics at the dawn of the Second Republic. The military had ruled the state since creation in February 1976. The first Military Governor was Colonel Muhammadu D. Jega (3 February 1976 – 24 July 1978). He was followed by Brigadier Abdurrahman R. Mahmud as Military Administrator (25 July 1978 – 30 Sept. 1979).
Juta became the running mate of Abubakar Barde, candidate in the gubernatorial election in the state on the platform of Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) after a narrow win for the party’s ticket. Like other politicians, Abubakar Barde and Wilberforce Juta started serious campaign in February 1979. On 1 October 1979, Abubakar Abubakar Barde and Wilberforce Juta were sworn into office as the first elected civilian Governor and Deputy Governor of Gongola State, respectively.
The cabinet was made up of people from different backgrounds who were professionals, technocrats, politicians, etc.
Mr Reynolds Bayero manned the engine room as the Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service. Chief Fibi Nancy Nadah was appointed first female commissioner and put in charge of Information. Other commissioners were Garba Alfa Tarfa, (Justice); Tultunda Elam Atiwurcha, (Trade and Industry); Dauda Kefas Zing, (Local Development, Culture, Youth and Sports); Abdullahi Kirim, (Animal Health and Forest Resources); Christopher Iranya Irantsi, (Establishment and Service Matters); Bello Tifi Lamorde, (Education); Abubakar Mutum Biyu, (Agriculture and Cooperatives); Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, (Works); Muhammad Suleiman Barup, (Finance and Economic Development); and Ayuba Musa Mamawa, (Land and Survey); Joel Hamajoda Madaki, (Local Government and Community Development); and Adiel Lakamso Bila, (Health). Paul Wampana Vimtim was Speaker, Gongola State House of Assembly. He died recently.
The Barde-Juta administration created forty local government areas. The politics in the creation exercise overwhelmed the government’s desire to bring government closer to the people. From the government’s perspective, the traditional rulers saw the creation of more local governments as a threat to their power and control in their respective domains. As Deputy Governor, Juta chaired the Gongola State Security Council meetings for three-and-half years.
Governor Barde did not complete his four-year term due to his leaving the ruling party, the GNPP, for an alliance party, People’s Progressive Alliance. Wilberforce Juta, his deputy, took over on 3 May 1983 to complete their mandate. The onus of carving out new chieftaincy areas and the elevation of district heads to third class fell on Juta. He went round new chieftaincy areas to present staffs of office to the new chiefs.
Candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Bamanga Muhammed Tukur, won the gubernatorial election held in August 1983 and was sworn into office on 1 October 1983. The Second Republic collapsed on 31 December 1983.
I came to know the late Ambassador Wilberforce Juta when I was writing Chronicles of a Golden Era, a biography of Lamido Aliyu Musdafa in the mid 1990s. I had a couple of interviews with him for the book that greatly enriched it. It has also greatly contributed to the writing of my current book – Fombina Dynasty – awaiting publication. I have noted this in the acknowledgment page and thanked him immensely.
On a personal level, I did not only enjoy his company but greatly admired his friendly disposition and urbane mien. I intended to give him a personalized copy of my book in his name after coming out of the press. However, that cannot be. Que sera sera. No one can question Almighty Allah for taking him back. We cannot thank Him enough for giving him to us in the first place.
I have read many tributes in memory of the departed former Governor, written from different perspectives. They are worthy in memorializing the great son of Adamawa. After the tributes, what next? Governor Juta deserves more than a mention or accolade on the pages of newspapers. Even though he is in our hearts and minds, the question is for how long? When we all die and fade away, how will he as one of our statesmen and leaders of thought be remembered?
