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Bokkos: Ron Stakeholders Reject Use of 1974 Gazette for Saf Ron Selection, Seek Mutfwang’s Intervention
Stakeholders from the Ron Chiefdom in Plateau State have rejected the proposed use of the 1974 Gazette as the basis for selecting a new Saf Ron, describing the move as outdated and potentially harmful to the legitimacy of the traditional institution.
The Ron Integrity Advocacy Group, representing elders, stakeholders, women and youths from the 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom, made the position known at a press briefing held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Sunday J. Akuns, and Secretary, Hon. Chief Sylvanus M. Ayuba, the group appealed to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to urgently intervene in the ongoing selection process.
The group’s position followed an announcement reportedly made on Saturday, August 29, 2026, during a memorial Mass for the late Dah Lazarus Amashin Agai at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Bokkos.
According to the group, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who represented the Commissioner at the event, announced that the government intended to proceed with the selection of the “Saf Ron-Kulere” based on the 1974 Gazette.
The stakeholders argued that applying the 1974 instrument without reviewing it against current realities could undermine the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the selection process.
One of their major concerns is the rotation clause between “Ron and Kulere,” which they said was created when the two areas constituted one chiefdom.
They argued that the basis for the rotation no longer exists following the creation of separate Kulere and Mushere chiefdoms.
The group also questioned the electoral college contained in the 1974 Gazette, which they said recognised only eight districts, compared with the 11 districts currently constituting Ron Chiefdom.
According to the stakeholders, relying on the old list could result in the inclusion of districts that are now under Kulere and Mushere Chiefdoms.
They further faulted the proposed process for failing to take into account the 2003 excision which, according to them, established Kulere and Mushere as separate chiefdoms.
The group consequently called on the Plateau State Government to convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to review the Baba S. G. Mafuyai Committee Report alongside relevant historical records.
They also demanded that the electoral college and selection process be updated to reflect the current 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom, insisting that the process should be guided by authentic Ron customs and traditions rather than administrative convenience or political considerations.
The stakeholders further called for the suspension of the current selection process until all historical and traditional questions surrounding the stool are properly resolved through consultation.
They warned that if the government insists on applying the 1974 Gazette in its entirety, then, for the sake of what they described as legal consistency, the excised Kulere and Mushere Chiefdoms would have to be dissolved.
“Our Cultural Heritage is not an Administrative Commodity, and the Saf Ron stool is not an experiment in outdated governance,” the group stated.
While stressing that it was seeking dialogue rather than confrontation, the Ron Integrity Advocacy Group urged Governor Mutfwang to personally intervene to prevent what it described as an irreversible and culturally damaging decision.
The group added that should the government proceed without addressing its concerns, it would pursue all lawful avenues to protect the integrity of the Ron traditional institution.
The statement was issued on behalf of elders, stakeholders, women and youths from the 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom.
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JOS GHETTO STORIES
Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.
JOS EVENTS PRESENTS: JOS GHETTO STORIES.
Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.
Dream. Believe. Rise.
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