Nigeria: Journalist Heads Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna Chapter

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has elected a veteran Journalist, Luka Binniyat as its new chairman, along with other officials.

The Middle Belt Forum, the umbrella socio-cultural body of all the ethnic nationalities of Northern Nigeria in parts and whole of 14 of the 19 states of northern Nigeria, including natives of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The election which was held Saturday in Kaduna, was conducted by representatives of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the MBF headed by Mr Emmanuel Alamu (Kebbi State) National Organising Secretary of the MDF, the National Legal Adviser and his deputy, Barrister Mark Jacob (Southern Kaduna) and Barrister Ziggy Usman (Southern Kebbi).

Luka Binniyat was nominated for the post of the Chairman of the MBF, Kaduna state, and voted without a rival, so was the Secretary, Mr John Haruna, from Kogi state who retains his position as the former Secretary of Kaduna State Chapter.

Others are Zakaria Haruna – Deputy Chairman,
Stephen Samuel – Assistant Secretary, Elder Solomon Danbaki – PRO, Larai Shekari – Treasurer, Tinzwang Cephas – Auditor, lsaac Tanko – Youth Coordinator and Joseph John Pama – Deputy Director research and planning.
The rest are Daniel Ejembi – Vice Chairman (1)
Mrs Mary Zaka – Woman Leader, Ezekiel Baba-Karik – Organising Secretary, Raphael Gwazah – Deputy Organising Secretary, Rhoda Emmanuel Dajuma – Assistant Chairman (2), Dauda Sunda Gwagzwang – Director, Research and Documentation, John Yashim – Deputy Youth Coordinator, lshakun Yohana Madaki,

Evangelist Daniel M Mashan – History and Documentation, Ibrahim Aminu Kobo – Vice Chairman (3), Haruna Demon – ex-officio and Nicodemus B Bakuyaye – Assistant PRO.
The new exco was sworn in by Barr. Mark Jacob and inaugurated by Mr Emmanuel Alamu on behalf of the National President of the Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu.

Former Youth leader of the MDF and  President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Mr Jonathan Asake who witnessed the occasion said the MBF was a continuation of the struggle of the ethnic nationalities of Northern Nigeria  for justice, equity and development against domineering tendencies of a section of the country since post independent Nigeria.

He said, “I’m happy to see that today, the seeds of the struggle sowed by the founders of the MDF are still alive and thriving.

“I have known Luka Binniyat for over 40 years since we’re boys and what has kept our friendship over the years is our stand against tyranny and the oppression of our people.

“I can vouch that he will give the MDF, Kaduna state Chapter the desired leadership if he gets the cooperation of his exco and members.”

In his remarks, Barr. Mark Jacob said that the new exco should not think that they are going into having a tea party, saying, “I have lost a lot of clients and many friends because of my stand for the Middle.

“If you are not ready to make sacrifices and take risks as Luka Binniyat who has been to jail for our people, then you have no business in this exco.

“The President of the MDF, Dr Bitrus Pogu and the NWC regards Kaduna state as a very vital part of the MBF and I  believed that we shall not disappoint them.”

In his acceptance speech, Luka Binniyat, said that all residents of Kaduna state and natives to the 14 states of the Middle Belt State will get fair representation as well as all the ethnic groups of Kaduna state spread in 13 LGAs.

“I want to continue with the courageous leadership of Dr Bitrus Pogu, our National President, to project, promote and defend the interest and values of the Middle Belt in Kaduna States.

“We have a government in Kaduna state today that is not beligerante and hateful to our people and the Middle Belt, unlike the immediate past one.

“We shall encourage it to do more, but we shall not be timid in pointing out its areas of deficiency,” he assured