By Nahum Sule and Janet Nyajon Audu (In Jalingo, Taraba State)
Friday, January 14, 2022, was a unique one in the history of the Jukun people and indeed the entire Kwararafa descendants of Taraba and Benue states, as their deceased supreme leader, the Aku Uka of Wukari in Jukun land, His Majesty, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi Kuvyu 11, was formally accompanied to join his ancestors at the late paramount ruler's designated burial ground called "Nando".
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondents who were at the occasion, reports that Wukari, the headquarters of the Kwararafa Kingdom stood still as there was no vehicular movement. Both private and public schools and business places were all closed to honour the late Aku-Uka of Wukari who joined his forebears in October last year.
The occasion of such magnitude took place over 50 years ago, and those who have never witnessed the "Pankya" which is the final traditional rites of passage of natural ruler of the Jukun people found in both Taraba and Benue states, North East and North Central Nigeria, were extremely dazzled.
According to the Chairman of Ibi local government area, Hon. Bala Bako Sungbadu, who is also the Taraba state ALGON Chairman, he said he is witnessing "Pankya" for the second time in his life. "This is my second time of witnessing such an ancient traditional occasion. The last one took place in 1972. The generation behind us are in high spirit to see for themselves and to be part of this event. If there is no event, there won't be history, so this event has equally added colour to our reach culture because our culture is unique in the whole of this country", Hon. Sungbadu said.
He stressed that he believe that God after creating Adam and Eve, the next set of people He created were the "Apajukun" and all Kwararafa descendants, so we are here to pay our last respect to our Supreme Leader who served us for 45 years. I said He served us because he has brought peace and development to us as a people. He was a leader with exceptional virtue that can't be described in a sentence or a word", Hon. Sungbadu stated.
Also speaking in an interview with our Correspondent, the Fagachin Keffi and district head of Keffi who represented the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shamsudeen Abubakar Maikasuwa, said the late Aku-uka, His Majesty, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi, was a great Pillar that holds the Kwararafa People together. He described him as a father who led the Jukun Kingdom to greatness, adding that they came to Wukari to pay their last respect to the dead Monarch.
Related Article: 'Pankya': THE TARABA ANCIENT MYSTERY BEHIND THE TRANSITION OF THE JUKUN KING AND HIS HORSEMAN
Shamsudeen enjoyed the next Aku-uka to emulate his predecessor, who, against all odds, had ensured that peace reigned supreme in Jukunland, and has uplifted the status of the Kwararafa kingdom. He reiterated that the Aku Uka was a role model.
Our Correspondent also reports that the procession known as "Akye" kicked-off around 7.30 am from the Aku-Uka Palace where all the male Children of Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi, in their numbers, matched on bare foot with his official belongings to Puje forest where mourners all converged and paid their last respects to Aku Uka, before they matched further to "Nando", his final place of abode.
Present at the "Pankya" ceremony were Traditional rulers from across the nation like Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Da Jacob Buba, the Gara of Donga, HRH Sanvala Varzoa Shimbura, the Longomai of Shandam, HRH. Miskoom Marrin Mudu'Utrie Shaldas of Shandam, representatives of Attah Igala, Ochi Idoma, Fagachin Keffi, Chief Mark Elayo Tutaki of Kiana among others.
Also present at the occasion are prominent politicians from both local, state and the National Assembly members, National President of the Jukun Development Association (JDA), Chief Bako Benjamin, Tourists, citizens and residents of Taraba state and mix of persons from diverse walks of life.
The Chief of Staff to the Taraba governor, Rt. Hon. Istifanus Haruna Gbana represented Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku. NNL.
