Preparations are in full swing to celebrate the twenty-five years of the reign of Gangwari Ganye, His Royal Highness, Umaru Adamu Sanda, Chairman of Ganye.
This was announced during a press briefing by Alhaji Inuwa Bassi, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Federal lawmaker representing Ganye, Jada, Toungo, and Mayo Belwa. The briefing took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Yola.
Alhaji Inuwa Bassi emphasized that this celebration marks a significant milestone in the royal leadership of one of the most esteemed traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria. His Royal Highness, Gangwari Ganye, has provided visionary, peaceful, and developmental leadership to the constituents of Ganye Chiefdom, Chambaland, and indeed to Adamawa State over the last 25 years.
Bassi announced that the anniversary, which signifies a Silver Jubilee of Royal Grace, will celebrate culture, unity, tradition, and progressive leadership. He expressed pride in unveiling the planned activities to honour this momentous occasion.
He clarified that the primary purpose of the press conference was to formally announce the schedule of events associated with the 25th Anniversary Celebration and to provide the media and the public with insights regarding the significance, scope, and national relevance of the occasion.
Bassi also indicated that the press conference serves as a platform to seek media partnership and support to ensure that the celebration receives the visibility and coverage it deserves. He highlighted the distinguished dignitaries expected to attend and the meticulous preparations made for a memorable and peaceful event.
He reiterated that this press conference aims to reinforce the legacy of His Royal Highness as a symbol of peace, unity, and development both within the Ganye Chiefdom and the broader community.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee remarked on the notable progress achieved under the leadership of the Ganye Chiefdom, which includes advancements in community development, youth empowerment, agricultural promotion, educational enhancement, and cultural revival.
He listed the distinguished guests anticipated to attend, including the Vice President of Nigeria, the Executive Governors of Adamawa and Taraba States, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd.), an elder statesman and national icon who will chair the occasion, along with esteemed Royal Fathers from various regions.
Bassi also outlined the scheduled activities for the occasion: On Thursday, May 29, 2025, there will be a public lecture, an awards ceremony, and the honouring of prominent sons and daughters of Ganye Chiefdom for their significant contributions to national and community development.
On the second day, Friday, there will be a reception for Royal Fathers and special guests, featuring traditional welcome ceremonies and opportunities for interaction. The third day, Saturday, May 1, 2025, will culminate in a grand finale showcasing a vibrant display of tradition, cultural heritage, tributes, speeches, a royal parade, and keynote addresses in honour of His Royal Highness’s 25-year reign.
He concluded by expressing appreciation for the vital role that the media plays in shaping public perception, preserving historical narratives, and highlighting cultural milestones.
Full text:
PRESS CONFERENCE & BRIEFING NOTES FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HRH ALH.(DR.) UMARU ADAMU SANDA OON, GANGWARI GANYE.
Venue: NUJ Conference Hall, Yola, Adamawa State
Date: Wednesday, 28th May 2025
Time: 3pm
1. Opening Statement
Distinguished Members of the Press, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Central Organizing Committee for the Silver Jubilee of HRH Alh.(Dr.) Umaru Adamu Sanda OON , Gangwari Ganye, we welcome you warmly to this all-important Press Conference.
We are gathered here today not only to inform but to celebrate a remarkable
milestone in royal leadership and stewardship of one of the most respected traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria, and not least, Adamawa State: HRH Alh. Umaru Adamu Sanda OON, Gangwari Ganye II, who has, over the last 25 years, provided visionary, all inclusive, and purposeful leadership to the people of Ganye Chiefdom, and indeed Adamawa State at large.
This anniversary of Royal Grace, is a celebration of culture, unity, tradition, longevity, and progressive leadership; and it is with immense pride that we unveil the activities lined up to commemorate this great occasion.
2. Purpose of the Press Conference
This Press Conference serves several important purposes:
a. To formally announce the schedule of events for the 25th Anniversary Celebration.
b. To brief the press and the public on the scope, significance, and
national relevance of the occasion.
c. To seek media partnership and support in giving the celebration the
wide visibility and coverage it rightly deserves.
d. To highlight the array and calibre of dignitaries expected, and the preparations
made to ensure a memorable and peaceful event.
e. To reinforce and project the legacy of His Royal Highness as a symbol of peace,
unity, and development within and beyond Ganye Chiefdom.
3. About His Royal Highness Gangwari Ganye:
He was born on 15th May 1955 in Sugu, Ganye LGA. After a sterling career in the civil service as Assistant Director of Livestock Services, he was appointed first district head of Ganye district in February 1993 and ascended to the throne as Gangwari Ganye in April 2000, becoming the Paramount Ruler of Ganye Chiefdom comprising Ganye, Jada, and Toungo LGAs. In December 2004, he was elevated to the status of First Class Traditional Ruler by the Adamawa State Government.
His Royal Highness Alhaji Umaru Adamu
Sanda, Gangwari Ganye, has spent the last quarter of a century nurturing peace,
fostering traditional values, and acting as a bridge between culture and modern
governance. He is widely respected for his wisdom, humility, statesmanship,
and fatherly guidance to his subjects and peers alike.
Under his leadership, Ganye Chiefdom has witnessed remarkable strides in
community development, youth empowerment, agricultural promotion,
educational advancement, and cultural renaissance. It is this sterling legacy of achievement and the embodiment of peace and charity that we gather to celebrate and honor.
In recognition of his notable record of achievements, he was conferred with several awards, among which are:
* Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR in 2001.
* Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Hinoris Causa by Commonwealth University Belize in July 2013.
4. Dignitaries Expected
The event will be graced by notable dignitaries from across the nation,
including:
• The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Executive Governors of Adamawa and Taraba States;
• General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd.) GCON, elder statesman and
national icon, who will serve as the Chairman of the Occasion; he will also be conferred with the highest traditional title in Ganye Chiefdom;
• Royal Fathers from various geo-political zones of the country will honor the occasion;
• Ministers, Legislators, Paramount Rulers, Sons and Daughters of the Chiefdom, and other distinguished invited guests.
5. Sequence of Events
DAY ONE: Thursday, 29th May, 2025
• Public Lecture on the topic: “25 Years of Impactful Reign of HRH Alh.(Dr.) Umaru Adamu Sanda OON, Gangwari Ganye II”
This intellectual engagement will explore the role of traditional institutions in nation-building, with Prof. Maxwell M. Gidado SAN, OON, former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Adamawa State as lead presenter.
* There will also be an Award Ceremony
Honouring Prominent Sons and Daughters of Ganye Chiefdom for
their contributions to national and community development.
DAY TWO: Friday, 30th May 2025
• Arrival and Reception of Royal Fathers and Invited Guests; This will feature traditional welcome ceremonies and interactions.
DAY THREE: Saturday, 31st May, 2025
• Celebration Day (Grand Finale)
Assemblage of dignitaries and top government officials; colourful display of tradition, cultural heritage, tributes, speeches, and royal parade; these will be preceded by the solemn ceremony conferring Traditional Title to the National Icon, Elder Statesman, Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) and the indefatigable foremost politician Alh. Tanko Yakasai OFR.
6. The Role of the Media
We deeply appreciate the pivotal role the media plays in shaping public
perception, preserving history, and spotlighting cultural milestones such as this event.
We therefore seek your support in:
• Ensuring robust pre-event and post-event coverage
• Broadcasting the key activities
• Conducting interviews and features on the legacy of His Royal Highness
• Promoting the cultural and developmental significance of the celebration
Media organizations will be provided access, briefings, and necessary resources to facilitate their coverage.
7. Closing Remarks
In conclusion, the Silver Jubilee Celebration of His Royal Highness,
Gangwari Ganye is more than a ceremonial event—it is a historical testament
to leadership with vision, service with compassion, and tradition with dignity.
We thank you for honouring this Press Conference with your presence.
Together, we will ensure that this celebration receives the attention it rightly
deserves, and that the legacy of HRH Gangwari Ganye is documented and
preserved for future generations.
We look forward to your support in giving this historic milestone the national
and international spotlight it deserves.
Long live Gangwari Ganye, Ling live Adamawa State, Long live the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
Signed,
Hon. Mohammed Inuwa Bassi
House Of Representatives
NASS Abuja.
Silver Jubilee
Central Planning Committee