Yohanna Madaki

Yohanna Madaki
Military Governor of Gongola State
In office
August 1985 – August 1986
Preceded by Mohammed Jega
Succeeded by David Jang
Military Governor of Benue State
In office
August 1986 – September 1986
Preceded by Jonah David Jang
Succeeded by Ishaya Bakut
Personal details
Born 14 September 1941
Zuturum, Zangon Kataf LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Died 21 May 2006(2006-05-21) (aged 64)

Colonel Yohanna Ateyan Madaki (1941–2006) was Governor of Gongola State and then of Benue State, Nigeria during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.[1]

Contents

Background

Yohanna Madaki was born in 1948 in Zuturum, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State. After completing his primary education he enlisted as a private in the Nigerian Army. He progressed to Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, receiving a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Army on completion of his course. He saw active service during the Nigerian civil war. Later he served in various posts, including Colonel General Staff in the 2nd mechanized division, Ibadan. He was posted to the Nigerian Army Legal Services Department, 1984–85, and was a member of the Special Military Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1984–1985). While posted in Ibadan, he read for his Law Degree at the University of Ibadan, completed his studies at the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1985.[2]

Military Governor

Yohanna Madaki was appointed Governor of Gongola State in 1985, and was posted from Gongola State to Benue State as the Military Governor from August to September 1986.[1] In his brief administration of Benue State he was not able to achieve much.[3] While governor of Gongola State in 1985, in a controversial action he sacked the Emir of Muri in the present day Taraba State, saying "I have dealt a lethal blow to feudalism." His grounds were the confiscation of land by the Emir from the local people. The land was returned to the original owners.[4]

Later career

Yohanna Madaki retired in 1986 and entered legal practice in Kaduna. He was engaged in many legal battles, often providing service free of charge to needy people, particularly those in the military. He engaged in a prolonged legal battle to save former military governor of Rivers State, Major General Zamani Lekwot from execution. In later years he became the national legal adviser of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[5] In this role, in May 2003 he described a trip to various countries of the campaign organisation of All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as an act of treason.[6]

Colonel Yohanna Ateyan Madaki (rtd) died on 21 May 2006 in a London hospital after a brief illness.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Nigerian States". WorldStatesmen. http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
  2. ^ "Colonel Yohanna Madaki". Benue State Government. http://greaterbenue.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=173. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
  3. ^ Tyodzua Atim (2006-01-30). "Benue State at 30: The people and their struggles". ThisDay. http://odili.net/news/source/2006/jan/31/220.html. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
  4. ^ Roger Blench, Selbut Longtau, Umar Hassan, Martin Walsh (9 November 2006). "The Role of Traditional Rulers in Conflict Prevention and Mediation in Nigeria". DFID, Nigeria. http://www.rogerblench.info/Development/Nigeria/Conflict%20resolution/Final%20Report%20TRs%20September%2006.pdf. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
  5. ^ a b Sani Babadoko (May 22, 2006). "Col Yohanna Madaki is dead". BNW News. http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/daily_trust/2006/05/22/col_yohanna_madaki_is_dead.php. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
  6. ^ Isa Umar Gusau (May 16, 2003). "ANPP’s campaign treasonable – Yohanna Madaki". Daily Trust. http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/may/16/089.html. Retrieved 2010-01-03. 
1st Military regime (1976 - 1979)
Nigerian Second Republic (1979 - 1983)
2nd Military regime (1984 - 1989)
Mohammed Jega  • Yohanna Madaki  • Jonah David Jang  • Isa Mohammed  • Abubakar Salihu