LATE CHAIRLES JONATHAN AKAYA 1948-2013

Barrister Charles-Jonathan Bemgba Kaanga Akaya hails Mbaav, Mbadura district, Kwande Local government Area of Benue state. He was born to the family of Late Pa. Akaya, Kaanga and Mama Akaya, Sarah Mbapinen in 1948.

Academic back ground

Akaya had his early education at L.G.E Primary School, Jato-Aka Between 1959 and 1964 where he obtained his First Leaving Certificate. His burning desire for further education took him to Benue Provincial Secondary School, Katsina-Ala in 1965 to 1969 when he obtained his secondary school Certificate.

Akaya’s quest for hig4er Knolwedge took him to Government College, Kaffi where he bagged his General Certificate of Education ‘A’ level in 1971. His strong desire to serve his father land made Akaya to join the Nigerian Police Force in 1973. His brilliant   performance and good conduct in the police Force paved way for the enhancement in his career life. As if that was not enough, the Late Akaya proceeded to the prestigious University of Lagos Nigeria and bageed a Bachelor degree in Law (LLB Hons) in 1986 and was called to Bar in 1987 after successfully spending a mandatory year at the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

WORKING EXPERIENCE

From 1^st April, 1973 to 1^st April, 2008 when Bar. C. Akaya Joined and retired from the Police Service respectively, he enjoyed various promotions, postings and appointments.

In his career Life, Akaya rose through the ranks to become Assistant superintendent of Police (1979) Deputy Superintendent of Police (1984), Chief Superintendent of Police (1993) and later Assistant Commissioner of Police (1995). In 1998 Akaya was the Deputy Commissioner of Police and was later promoted to the Rank of Commissioner of Police in the year 2003. He  served as a commissioner of Police in special fraud Unit Milverton Road, Ikoyi (From August, 2002 to March 2003), Delta State (May, 2005 to March 2005) and department of Force Headquarters Abuja  (March 2005 November 2005 to June, 2006) and Plateau State (June, 2008 to March, 2008 where he finally retired on  1^st April, 2008 as Commissioner of Police.

In his active service days in the Nigerian Police Force, Akaya headed very important and lucrative offices and commanded several divisions using his tactical wealth of experience  which enabled his deal with critical issues. From 1976 to 1981 when Akaya served as Unit commander, Unit No 35, 9^th Squadron, Mobile Police Force, Kano he successfully Calmed down the Bakolori Farmers Riot in Birin Tudu, near Talata Mafara Zamfara State. During the same period, he commanded the Unit that ended the popular story of the Maitatsine Religious uprising in Kano.

The deceased was also a member of the panel attached to the Transition Implementation Committees (TIC) that looked into the petitions and complaints against elections.  Tribunals that handled complaints from Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections of March, 1997. Before his posting of Delta State as the commissioner of Police, he commanded the special fraud Unit, (SFU) at 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, and Lagos State. At the same time, he was the Chairman, Defunct National Committee of Financial Crimes NCFC (Now Economic and Financial Crimes Commission). When EFCC was created by the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, he was directed to handover to Mallam Nuhu  Ribadu.

Akaya was appointed Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Late Military President, Sani Abacha on 21^st October, 1994. Akaya had no choice than to retire in 2008 when he clocked thirty Five years (35 years) in service and sixty years (60 years) of age.

Upon his retirement, the deceased joined partisan politics at home and registered with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

The Late Akaya joined the 2011 Benue North-East Senatorial race on the plat form of the Peoples Democratic Party but lost of Chief Barnabas Gemade. He bowed to party supremacy and accepted the defeat. Unlike some of his co-contenders, he didn’t defect to any other parties; he remained a strong pillar of the PDP waiting for God’s appointed time when death came calling on 21^st June, 2013

CHRISTIAN AND MARITAL LIFE

Upon attaining marital age, the late Akaya got married to Grace Ijeoma. He is survived by seven children, namely;

i.        Akaya Jonathan Terfa Lawrence                          (Son)

ii.       Bar. Akaya, Charles Iorwuese Jnr.                      (Son)

iii.      Akaya, Alexander Masefan                                  (Son)

iv.      Akaya, Tyolumun Emmanuel                               (Son)

v.       Akaya Depuun                                                     (Son)

vi.      Akaya Iwanger                                                     (Daughter)

vii.     Akaya David Chiahemen                                     (Son)

          The retired Commissioner of Police is survived by two brothers and a sister namely: Mr. Robert Nguuma Akaya, Mr. J.F. Tavershima Akaya and Mrs. Dorcas Vineh Chaha (Nee Akaya).

          The Late Akaya is a devoted Christian to the N.K.S.T extraction and has been supportive to the development of the Church before his demise. He is also a communicant member of the Church.

SICKNESS AND DEATH

Akaya died at Garki Hosptial Abuja during a brief illness. It is Henry Wadsworth (1807-1992) who said “when a great man dies for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men”.

Akaya, in grave, your legacies endureth in us and generations yet unborn. Rest in the bosom of the Lord,  till we meet to part no more.

SOURCE: Burial Programme

Elder Ashiiga Amaigbe Goes Home

One of the oldest men in Ikyurav-Ya, elder Ashiiga Amaigbe is set for burial at his country home in Ikyogen, Hon. Terna Mpen, Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State, on community development has revealed to Kwande Sources News.

          According to the burial programme  made available to Kwande Source News by Hon. Mpem, the body of elder Amaigbe leaves the Mortuary of NKST Comprehensive  Health Centre, Ahobee for Tse-Tor Kom, Mbaagule, Ikyurav-Ya, Kwande Local Government on 26^th July, 2013 for all  night wake; burial will be at the next day,  27^th July, 2013.

          Elder Ashiiga Amaigbe, a farmer and one of the earliest forestry workers in Tivland, was born in 1933. Although he had just a brief stint at DRCM Primary School, Ahobee, where he was taught by the sage, Sir Adzuanaga Akaakase, yet through share dedication and hard work, he rose to be a community leader whose voice was sought by all. He died on 29^th May 2013 at the ripe age of 80 years.

          Meanwhile, Hon. Terna Mpem, popularly known as Abuja, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State and the cousin of the deceased is full of praises for the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Dr. Matthias Oyigeya for his immense contributions towards the burial of his uncle. Hon. Mpem noted that, for his generous contributions to the burial of a man like elder Amaigbe who was respected in his community, Dr. Oyigeya has further endeared himself to the Benue Community, especially from Ikyurav-ya, the same place where the incumbent governor, Rt Hon. Suswam  received overwhelming support and blessings for his re-election.

So Hon Mpem said since  there have been several calls on Dr Oyigeya  from different quarters to come out for a political responsibility in 2015 since his transforming strides at Federal Medical Center, Makurdi , taking up the responsibility to bury Elder Amaigbe, had established him amongst his people as their dependable ally already.

Iwen -Ishin Gets Kindred Head

A veteran educationist, Mr. Abah Joseph Iortswam, has been selected as the Kindred Head of Iwen Ishin Kindred, Agbaikyan District of Kwande Traditional Council. He is to take the place of late Zaki Vihikwagh Damkor who died early this year.

          In the selection process held at Koti Apera, on 8^th July, 2013, the king makers favoured Chief Iortsam over Aondongu Kor and Imborivungu Bojo. Out of the 8 King makers in Iwen Ishin, 5 voted for Chief Iortswam, 2 for Kor and Bojo got one.

          This selection process was witnessed by the district head of Agbaikyan, Tyoor Akile Jukugh and the Kindred Heads of Mbarumun, Iwen Isha, Mbanienge, Mbaikyan and the Acting Kindred Head of Iwen Ishin.

          Talking to kwande Sources News after his selection, Chief Iortswam, who retired from service as Chief Assistant Education Officer (CAEO)    revealed that his agenda for the people will be based on  unity, togetherness and love. He also stated that he will be in good alliance with the respective government agencies and organs so as to attract the benefits that he can for his people. He promises to imbibe dialogue, community life and togetherness to achieve his aim.

          He hopes that through his alliance with government, roads, bridges, schools, electrification projects, co-operatives and security of the this people shall be guaranteed.

          Born 26^th June, 1949, Chief Iortswam, started his career in 1971 as a class teacher and after so many years  of a robust teaching career, he retired from service in 2005.

          The new chief has offered appreciation to all those who helped him to become chief. To share in this special greetings are, Ikyelere Agabi who nominated  him for the stool;  others to share in this are Mr Alfred Agabi, Mrs. Christiana Iornongo, comrade Aondozungwe Dwen, Azer Hindan (Ortwer) and his family members. 

MR. ABRAHAM IKYOYEL LANKWAGH PUUSU 1943-2013

MR. ABRAHAM IKYOYEL LANKWAGH PUUSU was born on the 15^th June 1943. His parents were Late LANKWAGH PUUSU and his mother was mama IKYAALANKWAGH from Mbajieka, Usar District of Kwande Local Government Area. His mother was the daughter of INGYOR ATSAFA of Mbaikyegh, Gaav Konshisha Local Government Area.

EDUCATION

At the age 9 (Nine), his father released him out of his siblings to attend school due to his senior brother who was a school teacher {Late Mr. IORSHAGHER LANKWAGH, who saw much potentials and unusual intelligence in little “IKYOYEL” in the year 1954-1955. he attended the newly setup Junior Primary School, Manor Ikov where his father was on sojourn in the year 1957. he completed his senior primary education at Vandeikya and obtained his first school leaving certificate.

          He was offered admission in 1958 to Government College Keffi where he passed out with the West African School Certificate in 1962. In 1964, he obtained the Cambridge higher school certificate. He then proceeded to Ahmadu bello University, institute of administration Zaria, where he obtained a diploma in Accounting. At the institute of commerce of Nigeria, he was to obtain an Associate certificate in 1980. he also obtained a certificate in accounting and finance for developing countries at Strathelydle Business School, University of Strathelydle glass glow, great Britain in 1981.

WORKING EXPERIENCE

          The former government of the north western Nigeria employed him as trainee accountant attached to major government ministries of work. Natural Resources, Health, education and Audit Departments in 1968-1969.

          By January, 1969, he worked as sub-treasurer Sokoto State and in 1971, he headed the accounting internal audit until 1972. he became senior accountant with the ministry of natural resources 1972- August 1976. He was to work as senior accountant main accounts with Niger State Government in 1976-February 1977 where he had to resign because of pressing family issues and problems at home. At the formative of Benue cement company Gboko, the SWISS general contractors engaged his services as factory accountant in 1977 to 1978 and because of poor working conditions then, he left Swiss general contractors and joined Benue State Agricultural Corporation Makurdi as senior accountant where he rose steadily to the rank of acting chief accountant.

          The military interference with 2^nd republic brought about confusion in the general scheme of things followed by massive retrenchment which he was a victim of termination on 24^th APRIL, 1985.

          He re-engage as senior education officer, Teaching Service Board Benue State 1993 where he later left. He also had a brief teaching appointment with ACC Adikpo as head of Department Business studies and left for personal reasons.

MARITAL LIFE.

MR. ABRAHAM IKYOYEL LANKWAGH fell in love with FELICIA NGUTSEREN JAKI and got married to her from Shitile.

FIRST WIFE {FELICIA NGUTSEREN JAKI}

1.                 Comfort Member Lankwagh {Deceased}

2.                 Sunday Tertsea Lankwagh

3.                 Nguamo Lankwagh

4.                 Ahemen Lankwagh

SECOND WIFE {WINIFRED MSAAN LANKWAGH }

1.                 Torkuma Adaieu

2.                 Victor Lankwagh

3.                 Imoter Lankwagh

THIRD WIFE {FRANCA LANKWAGH} – Late

1.                  Lankwagh Jerry Lankwagh.

2.                 Tarzua Lankwagh

3.                 Terkaa Lankwagh

4.                 Orkuma Lankwagh

FOURTH WIFE {MMASE LANKWAGH} – LATE

1.                  Akula Lankwagh

2.                 Shimataver Lankwagh

3.                 Seember Kwaghange Atoor

FIFTH WIFE {PHILOMINAL  LANKWAGH} – LATE

1.                 Ilumun Bigila

SIXTH WIFE {ANNA LANKWAGH}.

1.                  Theophilus Tavershima Lankwagh

SEVENTH WIFE {MSUGHSHIMA CHRISTIANA} LANKWAGH

1.                  Denen Lankwagh

2.                 Sesugh Lankwagh

3.                 Terkuma Lankwagh

EIGHTH WIFE {SEWUESE JACINTHA LANKWAGH}, Pregnant

Grand Children=Twenty-three (23).

SPIRITUAL LIFE

          He began his Christian life early through the evangelical efforts of his late uncle PAPA FEFA PUUSU and was baptized but later became a nominal Christian with the NKST fold.

          However, he later in life developed a deep quest for spiritual matters and embraced JESUS CHRIST as his personal Lord and Saviour. He got born again and joined JESUS LIGHT EVANGELICAL CHURCH MINISTRIES, where he was fully committed. He took spiritual things so serious that he even offered his house for an interdenominational fellowship which is still going on. He indicated an intention that a church should be built within the family land. Shortly before his death, he supported fully the hosting of an intensive village crusade in his village on 18^th JUNE, 2013. Until he death, he was working on a Christian book which is ready for publication and also interpreted Chaka the zulu  (Chaka or u mba Zulu) in Tiv language (Yet to be published).

SOCIAL LIFE.

          He was a highly social person who could make friends easily both with low and high, rich or poor and one could easily feel at home when with him. He was very intelligent, Jovial and friendly, he loved cracking jokes, he is survived by wives, children, and many relations.

Mr Tertsea Lankwagh , first son of the deaceased