By Ussiju Medaner
Fintiri, the esteemed historian, meticulously crafting a comprehensive history of identity, delves into the intricate tapestry of human experience. Through his scholarly lens, he explores the multifaceted nature of identity, weaving together narratives that span cultures, time periods, and individual stories. His work not only documents the evolution of identity but also reflects the profound impact of societal changes, personal journeys, and collective memories that shape who we are.
The state and the people of Adamawa will forever be grateful to the governor for the courage to address an issue that is of paramount importance to the basic identity of the people who have been alienated from their roots and communal communities for decades.
The well meditated and implemented resolve of the Adamawa State governor, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to reorganise the state chiefdoms to the effect of restoring the aged status quo, will go down in history as, perhaps the best decision a governor would take in recent times to foster community awareness as a tool to state and national cohesion. I am not totally surprised; the governor himself is a student of history, equipped with the history of his people and the knowledge of the capacity of historical alignments to recreate needed communal willpower as an onslaught against many of the vices our communities face in the current dispensation.
Throughout history, we have seen the death and resurrection of empires, kingdoms and chiefdoms. What just happened in Adamawa state would not be a first, and neither will it be a last. Today, where is the once powerful and revered Roman empire? Where is the Persian Empire? Empires have come and gone, yet, communities have continued to find the best way to preserve their togetherness and hegemony through the ages. It takes only an historian and believers in the sanctity of community identity to agree that preserving the life of chiefdoms is an essential tool for maintaining cultural heritage, promoting development, fighting crimes and maintaining the identity of the people.
Our leaders in the past failed to realise that preserving the life and institution of chiefdoms is essential to a very large extent to the state’s capacity to maintain its cultural diversity, promote uncommon community development and maintain a continuing relevance of traditional institutions. They failed to recognise that the best way to move on from what we had is to find ways to align and integrate with modernization and globalisation while maintaining cultural integrity, promoting cultural diversity and ultimately fostering peace and stability.
One of the worst things that can happen to a group of people is the loss of their identity. Overtime, we have seen many ingroups’ members in Adamawa state being weakened and forced to become who they are not, by actions of politicians who considered continued balkanization of the existing historical identities in the state, a political gain of some sort without due consideration for its cultural implications. One of the worst things that has happened to us overtime is the devaluation of the cultural heritages of our diverse people, almost ending the possibilities of cultural continuity; leading to gross loss of identities of a large number of our people; our young ones, not knowing who they are, and losing the values that makes us thick as a people. Our cultural pride was arbitrarily taken away and our sense of belonging deprived.
The MADAGALI chiefdom and the paramount rulership has been established and has been in existence since the year around 1534. They hold a strong and rich history that cannot be toyed with. Their origins are traced further to the 1300s; from the great ancestor of the current day Medugus, HRH Kamavudu. History tells us that Kamavudu of the Gudum Dynasty in Mcakili, Northern Cameroun moved to Wula and then to present day Sukur where he became a chief through marriage (1375-1409). His son Tsundzum Kamavudu (1409-1437) succeeded him, and Tsundzum’s son Yavandu (1437-1503) succeeded his father as Chief of the Sukur. Yavandu’s son Watsu (1503-1534) succeeded his father and became the Chief of Sukur.
During his reign as Chief of Sukur, Watsu Yavandu had a son called Mburum, who left the Sukur Kingdom before his father’s passing away and went to live among the Margi clans (Ghwa and Kwazhi) in Nguzhi, around Gulak. Over time, he married a Margi woman and started his own part-Margi lineage. He also took leadership of this Margi community and fought their battles, especially against their neighbours, the Mazhinyi whose leadership terrorised them. Mburum succeeded in routing the Mazhinyi from the Margi lands around Gulak, and established the Medugu dynasty, as his family was called. This Margi Medugu family, with an unbroken genealogy of almost 500 years, remains the ruling family of Margi Dzrngu in Madagali, and Dr Ali Danburam is a scion of the family.
According to history, the MADAGALI CHIEFDOM has been ruled by appointed chiefs since 1800, and all through till 1993, before the balkanization that almost erased the identity and history of the autonomous people of MADAGALI CHIEFDOM. In 1994, the greater Madagali District was balkanized into 5 districts and 20 years later, in 2024, was further balkanized into 13 districts which now forms the new Ptildom over which the Ptil Madagali still reigns.
For the purpose of reference, the following list of towns and villages from the thirteen (13) Districts form parts of the Madagali Ptildom (Kingdom) in Adamawa State over which the new Ptil Madgali shall superintend includes; Bebel, Chakawa. Ghunilse, Gilma, Sukur Daurawa, Sukur Settlement, Turtakiva, Viengo, Visik, Visik Mattakam, Wagga, Yebango, Dagali, Gadamayo, Kirchinga, Kopa, Kwammnu, Maigana, Maradi, Shuwari, Wurongayandi, Duhu, Dzuel, Giwa Mbula, Kojiti, Kuda, Kwakwaghu, Kwalbadi, Kwambula, Lumadu, Mayowandu, Njahili, Pallavi, Shuwa, Thalwancina Tsitil, Wurogas, Zhau, Damai Kasa, Damai Sama, Giwa Higgi, Gubla, Jelang, Kurang, Mafer, Magar, Mildo Shalmi, Mildo Vapura, Muduvu, Ndalmi, Sukur, Wakara, Wula Mango, Bakin Dutse, Bitiku, Dar, Gadadamayo, Gadadamayo uda, Ghantsa, Ghumbili, Gulak, Gwaram, Hashi, Hyambula I, Hyambula II, Iirsa, Jalingo, Kafin Hausa, Kaya, Kubu, Kuda Wazu, Kwamda, Lamore, Makwan, Pambul, Tsidla, Wanuki and Yinagu.
Worthy of notes are the names of these villages under Madagali Chiefdom which portray the uniqueness as well as the diversity of the Chiefdom and which covers Marghi, Higgi, Matakam, Mafa, Wula, Fulani and Kanuri speaking people of Nigeria.
What happened in Adamawa state is a monumental act of reformation that the people of the state would never forget. It is a restoration of the cultural identification of a people that would definitely translate into positives in all areas of the life of our state and our people. The recovery, recognition and reallocation of lost identities to the people would immediately translate to reorganisations that will transport the state to meet up with the current benchmark for community development, growth and better security.
Without mincing words, the state has been restructured to respond effectively to the biting menaces of insecurity, disunity, and food insecurity. The new and proper sense of belonging will coordinate the people to a robust response to the needs of the communities and the state as a whole.
We salute the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating better communities for our people. Your leadership has inspired a revolution, defying the status quo and pushing boundaries to achieve the seemingly impossible. Your vision, passion, and determination have brought about these notable changes, transforming lives of our people and shaping the future of our chiefdom.
We are well aware and acknowledge the challenges you faced resiliently, the obstacles you overcame, and the sacrifices you made and still making. By standing strong on the side of what is right, you have demonstrated that even in the face of adversity, one person can make a difference. As we celebrate your achievements, we will chronicle it in the books of our history to tell it to our unborn children, the future generations; about the legacy of the man who restored our identity as a people and with its own destiny. Your revolution has sparked a movement, inspiring others to take action, challenge the norms, and strive for excellence.
Your Excellency, thank you for being a beacon of hope, a shining example of what it means to lead with purpose, integrity, and courage. We honour your leadership, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to creating a better world.
Professor Medaner is a columnist and public affairs commentator
