Berom People Will Never Encroach on Anybody’s Land: Gbong Gwom Jos
The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, the Gbang Gwom Jos, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, has reiterated the commitment and peaceful nature of the Berom people.
The monarch stated this in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, during the coronation of His Royal Highness Dara David Buna Dashong as the 20th Gwom Rwey of Foron District.
“We give God the glory for what He has accomplished in Foron District. I want to say a big thank you to the selectors of Gwom Rwey. We want to thank you for conducting yourselves in the proper manner as provided for by the 1977 gazette, that governs the methods of selection and identifying the ruling house and also recognizing you all as king makers,” he said.
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According to the monarch, the selection was very peaceful and he thanked them for carrying out such an assignment.
“Foron District is the oldest in Berom Land. We want to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the clergy, and all of you that came out to receive the brand new Gwom Rwey. We want to appeal to him to be diligent in the discharge of his responsibilities, shun undue favoritism, and make justice his watchword,” he appealed.
He appealed to the government to unite the citizens because politics is injuring their unity in all the districts and the entirety of Plateau State and indeed Nigeria.
“Just as Christians, we recognize the fact that it is God that appoints leaders, but the manner in which we want to contest and fight for other positions really shows that we, the Christians, are really calling the name of the Lord in vain. In as much as everyone is free to contest an election, it must be in love.”
As traditional rulers, “we also emphasize that no single ethnic group on the Plateau can survive on their own. Our survival is our togetherness, and we always say God did not make a mistake in making us neighbors to one another. This makes us brothers and sisters.”
The Gbang Gwom further pointed out that their prayers as Berom people have always been that God should not allow them to encroach on anybody’s land as given to them by God, and God should not allow others to encroach on their land also.
“We will always respect the government and hope the government will be just in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities,” the monarch said.
In his speech, Governor Caleb Mutfwang rejoiced with the chief, Foron, and the entire Berom nation for the success. He assured them of his support and charged them on peaceful coexistence.
“It is only in an atmosphere of peace that meaningful development can thrive,” he said.
The governor was represented by the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, who charged the monarch to rule his subjects with diligence and fear of God.
The 20th newly coronated Gwom Rwey, Dara David Buna Dashong, was born on March 14, 1980, into the royal family of Dara and Naomi Shut Buna in Zabot Village of Foron District.
The monarch’s lineage traces directly to the ancestral custodian of Foron. He began his education with primary school in Zaron and Fanloh. He later proceeded to Government Secondary School Bakin Kogi and Government College Foron and graduated in 1996.
Dara David Buna Dashong obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2025.
Prior to his ascension to the throne, the Gwom Rwey had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Police Force, which he joined in 2003 and served as a security detail to the former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang, and other formations.
The coronation witnessed a mammoth crowd from far and near, including Senator Istifanus Gyang, Senator Simon Mwatwon, Gyang Zi (SAN), Rufus Bature, APC Chairman, Senator Diket Plang, Mrs. Kachallom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Kefas Ropshik, C.E.O of Kifiano Autos, Ambassador Chris Giwa, Arch P.D Gyang, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, former Minister of Water Resources, and traditional rulers.
There was a special prayer for the monarch by the Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations, Regional Council Foron, and Reverend Prof. Caleb Dami, the leading pastor of COCIN Headquarters. Various cultural dancers from Foron and Berom Nation spiced the event with various dancing steps.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 28TH 2026)
