A Hero Joins His Ancestors: Life and Times of HRH Late Da Bwede Dangyang Tyop, Gwom Lwa (1928-2021)

It was the celebration of life well spent as HRH Late Da Bwede Dangyang Tyop, the Gwom Lwa (Village Head) who died at the age of 93 on 6th April, 2021 was laid to rest.

Many said his departure was a glorious exit and a home calling to Almighty, His Creator after over 4 decades of service to humanity and God as the Traditional Ruler of Lwa.
He was laid to rest on Thursday 22nd April, 2021 at the palace in Lwa Bachi District, Riyom LGA after his corpse was taken from New JUTH Mortuary.
Funeral Service of the Royal Father held at Lwa Primary School Football Field.

From available records, HRH Late Darwei Bwede Dangyang Tyop was born in April, 1928 to the Family of HRH Late Da Dangyang Tyop and Ngo Asing Dangyang at the scenic village of Lwa of Bachi District Riyom LGA, Plateau State.

The deceased left behind his aged Wife, Queen Ngo Maryamu Bwede, Four Children among who are Ngo Grace Antele Abdulsalam, Princess Dorothy Rose Aroloye, Hon. Mangai B. Dangyang and Pharm. Pam B. Dangyang.

He is also left behind 16 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grand Children, two Sisters and many relations.

HRH Late Darwei Bwede Dangyang was one of the First Christian Converts in the Village along with Late Da Hon. P. B. Dangyang and Late Rev. Jatau Piyo.
He gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1943 and got baptized 11 Years thereafter. He held several position in the Church.

He attended an informal School in Lwa Village from 1939 to 1945 and was also trained at the Extension Bible School Programme where he obtained E.B.S B1 &B2. He was honored with the prize of best graduating student.

From 1948 to 1954, he secured employment as Adult Education Instructor with the then Native Authority where he worked in Lwa & Shonong Village. He was elevated to the rank of Adult Education Organizer from 1955 to 1958 and his stations were Ropp, Bachi, Heipang and Fan Districts. He was later elevated again to Senior Adult Education Organizer, a position he held from 1965 to 1976 and worked with the then Jos Local Administration.
At the age of 46 in 1974, he was selected to succeed his Father as Gwom (Village Head) Lwa following the demise of his Father. He was coronated in 1975 and held the position until he took his last breath on 6th of April, 2021.

HRH Late Darwei Bwede Dangyang was a Farmer who was into animal husbandry. He was an industrious and very modest personality who was engaged in other noble activities and businesses as he was a Mason, Evangelist, Administrator, Teacher, Community Leader, retired Civil Servant and others. No wonder he was referred to as jack of all trade and master of all.
He was a humble and meticulous in his dealings, a man of unquestionable integrity.

The deceased got married to his heartthrob, Ngo Maryamu Bwede (Nee Maryamu Dalyop) in the Sudan United Mission (S.U.M) Church Kuru (now COCIN LCC Kuru) on Friday 20th April, 1951 and they were blessed by God with 10 Children.

He contributed immensely in maintaining peaceful coexistence and harmonious living among his subjects and other neighboring Communities.

During his reign as the Gwom Lwa, the Community witnessed significant achievements and progress most of which he wrote and attracted same from government for his immediate and neighboring communities among which are;

1.Construction of road from Kakuruk in Gashish to Lwa
2.Construction of road from Rahoss to Lwa
3.Construction of Primary Health Care Clinic in Lwa.
4.He donated the land used for the construction of the present COCIN Auditorium for free.
5.Creation of the defunct Shonong and Lwa Districts

Establishment of Community Secondary School in Kwa
Construction of the Village Head Palace, etc.

The deceased was instrumental to the translation of the Holy Bible and Jesus Film into Berom language.

He will be remembered for being an upright person, a lover of his people and community as he remained in the village in the face of insecurity and encouraged the people not to leave the village even when he was advised to leave on account of obvious security threats.

His immense contribution to the unity, peace and development of his immediate community, Local Government and beyond will be missed.

His burial was well attend by Traditional Rulers including the Gbong Gwom Jos who was represented by Gwom Rwey Bachi HRH Da Gyang Dalyop, Clergies, Political Stalwarts, illustrious Sons and Daughter, of the Berom Nation, Plateau State and beyond.

**HRH Da Gyang Dalyop**
***Gwom Rwey Bachi***

Good will messages/ Tributes
*Jos -Joint Traditional Council
*Dagwom Rwei Riyom
*Tula Begwom Vwel Berom
*Hon. Dr. Simon Mwadkwon
*Hon.Timothy Dantong
*Chairman Management Committee Riyom LGC, Hon. Mafeng Gwallson
*Da HRH Gyang N. Dahoro
*Sele-Lo Lwa Development Association (SELDA)
Engr Dajuma Dadu ( Former Chairman, Commissioner of works Pl. State and DG National Film Institute Jos)
*Da Dauda Piyo ( former Chairman defunct B/Ladi LGC)
*Hon Sunday A. Mangwe JP (Former Councilor Shonong Ward)
*Dr Jonah Vings
*Surv. Martins Gang (former Surveyor General Plateau State)
*Hon. Justice Gang
*Da Yohanna Dalyop
*Rev Dauda M. Choji Chairman RCC Rahoss and former CAN Chairman Riyom LGA (Guest Speaker)
*Rev Bulus Bindi Cman RCC Rim.

Hon. Mangai B. Dangyang, son of the deceased described their Father as a Pillar, Source of inspiration, a disciplinarian, a mentor and hero who trained them to be important personalities to the world. He said they will greatly miss his wise counsel and his sense of humor.

Others who spoke eulogized the deceased, describing him as a Bridge Builder, a humble and an exceptional leader.