Background
He was born on April 13, 1935, at Amper, Pankshin Division in Plateau Province. His father, Samuila Dechi Gomwalk, was a Native Authority Scribe and was, like his mother, from the Anga people.
He was born on April 13, 1935, at Amper, Pankshin Division in Plateau Province. His father, Samuila Dechi Gomwalk, was a Native Authority Scribe and was, like his mother, from the Anga people.
Educated at the Sudan United Mission, Amper (1943-6) and Gindiri (1947-9). Then at Gindiri Secondary School (1950-5) before going to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (1956-8) and University College, Ibadan (September 1958 June 1961) where he represented his university in athletics and took a BSc in zoology and parasitology.
After a brief spell as a research officer he transferred to the Northern Nigeria Administrative Service (1961-5) and then the Federal Administrative Service (1965-6). A major achievement as an administrative officer was the construction, through communal labour, of the escarpment road to Mambilla Plateau, a road that was later completed by the army. Immediately after the coup of January 1966 he was transferred to the police force. His good work was noticed and he was selected as Military Governor of Benue Plateau State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
A former police officer, keen athlete, sportsman and gifted orator, he is intensely proud of the stability of his government in Benue Plateau State and its development. Determined, hardworking and bearing no ill to any minority group, he is confident that he can bring prosperity to his people. He comes from the same Pankshin division in Nigeria’s Middle Belt as General Gowon.