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Baba Peter Gonto Foundation: A legacy to defend

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On 31th December 2021, Zaar sons and daughters from all over the world, top government officials, traditional rulers, Emirs both from far and near including representatives of other ethnic nationalities all gathered in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State to celebrate one of the icons and dogged freedom fighters for the liberation of the minority ethnic nationalities in the area and the entire Middle Belt region.  BULUS GAMBO writes

THIS philosopher who stood vehemently against all acts of suppression, injustice and subjugation of the susceptible minorities forfeiting his entire life for the course of this struggle is no other than the late sage, Baba Peter Gonto of blessed memory. Prior to this august and epoch making event which witnessed the gathering of like minds; innumerable educative and enlightenment programmes were held to exhilarate the recollections of the people of the area partnering to the ideological principles of the late Baba Gonto, which calculatedly was and still is for the progress of these suppressed minorities.

For the entire natives and as it shall continue to remain so, but for the repudiation of Baba Gonto, most of the minorities of the area would still have been perhaps clenched in absolute enslavement with nothing to show for it as far as their pursuit for their socio-economic and political, liberation and advancement was and is still concern. Many of these minorities would still have been but pragmatically a shadow of themselves.

Born in 1882, Gonto despite his painful demise decades ago, still remains without any contradiction the symbol of struggle for not only the Zaar ethnic group but other ethnic groups within the Middle Belt region. The antecedents of this unique detribalized man of high repute has continued to reflect on the indigenes of his domain for decades and many more to come after he transited to be with his ancestors. To God be the glory, but for the efficacious crusade of Baba Gonto, darkness would have overshadowed the land by now.

Today, every Zaar man wherever he finds himself including other ethnic nationalities whom the late sage stood for are always grateful to have had such a father figure who laid a solid foundation for the prosperity of the people of both Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas and even beyond. Indeed, without mincing words, Baba Gonto lived a praiseworthy life not only worthy of emulation but also that which has continued to portray his people as very industrious, intelligent and super productive as promise-keepers.  Thus, the entire people of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas are always proud to have had Baba Gonto following his transparent leadership qualities which cannot be contested anywhere in the world.

Baba Gonto was one man who was fair to all and very aggressive in the quest for the unification of the entire citizens of his area irrespective of their religious and or ethnic differences. Despite the huge challenges Gonto faced however, all that occupied his mind during his historical lifespan on earth was how he could make issues count in the act of governance for the minorities of Southern Bauchi and beyond. For him, humanity needs to be fair to all and nobody should be discriminated based on his tribe, numerical strength and or faith. Gonto’s slogan was inherent in his ideology which encapsulated the reality of the fact that human beings ought to be treated equally. His habit of giving and supporting the cause of humanity also made him stood out in the crowd.

For instance, in the book titled Vision and Courage Personified, the Life and Times of Baba Gonto authored by Dr. Saleh Dauda, the scholar connotes that the Zaar people are defined as, “an amalgamation of people with diverse dialectic background, who by an ingenious process of socio-cultural assimilation have integrated into one ethnic nationality, bound by an unwavering determination to remain united in focus and pursuit of happiness” to this people Baba Gonto provided leadership. He believes in three cardinal things for his people as pivotal to the dignity of man; freedom, education and empowerment. He was the first educated Zaar man. Other tribes with direct links to the statesman are Mbat, Ayah (Boi), Tapshin and Bijim.

Indeed, Baba Gonto therefore stood for all the marginalized people and as an educated man himself also ensured that his generation next were familiar with what was ahead of them. The philosopher was also so emphatic on the prospect of his people and knew that without decent education, they would not be able achieve total sovereignty from the egregious impediments militating against them. For Baba Gonto, without education, no minority group would be able to help itself and the community to overcome contemporary challenges of the century.

Over the years and since the passage of this great sage to the great beyond, the Zaar nation has relentlessly taken their fate in their hands. So also other ethnic nationalities which the unfriendly political system of the caliphate has continued to marginalize  unabatedly. This unfortunate incidence has continued to reshape the intellectual thoughts of the natives towards self-preservation and self-reliance in consonant with the thoughts of their founding fathers. As years roll by, some stakeholders of the area lucky to have attained greatest in their chosen careers and or endeavors have   consistently tried to assist other vulnerable ones fulfill their dreams back home. Many prominent sons and daughters of the area have not forgotten the need to proliferate the late sage’s ideology for the sustainability of the struggle of the neglected people of the area.

Thus, the Baba Gonto Foundation, a brilliant brainchild of the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund) Prof. Suleiman Bogoro was no doubt established to sustain the great work of the sage for the benefit of the people. This foundation is also intended to provide several skill acquisition programmes so as to keep the youths of the area busy and enterprising rather than becoming traumatically dependent.

As minorities in Bauchi State, it is evident that the people of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas amongst other places in the Middle Belt region have been left behind wallowing in the midst of several excruciating challenges. This development is consistently evident in the Human Development Index statistics which speaks volume of the depreciating status of human development and constant degradation of our educational sector. As is the case elsewhere in the country, the economic wellbeing of the people of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa is nothing to write home about. Though the area is classified as one of the hotbeds of unique civilization and an area which produced the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, successive administrations have not given the area the attention it deserves.

Therefore, to help improve the socio-economic status of the susceptible in the area, the former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro decided to hastily intervene the problematic disposition of the people and create an enabling environment for them to prosper through the acquisition of awareness creation and skill acquisition programmes. The Gonto Foundation also aspires to providing scholarship backing for many financially strapped youths of the area.

Interestingly, the objectives of the establishment include fostering the spirit of unity and understanding with the sole aim of promoting love, peace and unity in the society, inculcating the spirit of peaceful coexistence amongst members and help the less privileged in the society. The foundation also hopes to support, promote and enhance the economic, educational and business activities of the youths, widows and the less privileged and also create awareness and sensitize the youth on gains of peace and development, promote enlightenment and   sustainable protection of the rights of women and children.  The foundation is resolved to also providing skills for drop outs through vocational trainings.

Considering the relevance of such a Non-Governmental Organization to the development of the society, it is pragmatically hopeful that all and sundry would accept its objective which is intended to better the society. Consequently, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro must be commended for the efforts he has continuously put in place to help transform the youth and vulnerable minorities of the area. His fundamental vision for the people of the area has on several occasions witnessed such selfless societal contributions which has certainly continue to be a pace-setter for others to emulate. To match words with action, the Former Executive Secretary of TETFund disclosed during the occasion of the dedication of the foundation that the N25 million-naira prize money to be given him as the first annual awardee for the inaugural version of the Nigeria Prize for Leadership last December 12th 2021, but he was indisposed would be channeled to the project. Consequently, arrangements are still on to present the award alongside the prize money of N25 million to him soonest which he had categorically promised that it would be devoted into the foundation’s anticipated obligations. What this means is that while other NGO’s go cap in hand begging for resources to kick-start any project as such, Bogoro has offered to put this amount into the programme so as to save the pioneer staff from any avoidable stress.

This gesture has proven that Prof. Suleiman Bogoro is another Baba Gonto epitomized following his antecedents as a selfless leader who has continued to be interested in the affairs of his people. But for the fear of God and Prof Bogoro’s zeal to transform many vulnerable people of the land and even beyond, he would have chosen to remain aloft like many other Nigeria leaders who despite blessed by God has chosen to keep their wealth for themselves and their siblings. This has however not been in the character of Prof. Bogoro who like Baba Gonto feels any open door is an opportunity for him to bless and provide opportunities for many people. Bogoro has continued to remain blessed because he has continuously blessed and supported many vulnerable citizens of this country.

Even though not many are still on the same page with Prof Suleiman Bogoro particularly when it comes to his developmental achievements, just like Baba Gonto, a pocket few of such cynics must not be allowed to truncate transformational ideas which would help broaden the horizon of the area in a more definitive manner to the outside world. The minority citizens of the area who know the value of this developmental programmes must defend it in its entirety for the sake of their future generations.

In this regard, the people of the area must embrace this foundation which in no distant time would begin to offer various skills and support for the youth who are determined to sustain the ideological philosophy of the late Baba Peter Gonto for the sake of future generations.

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