Former president Ibrahim Babangida and former defence minister, retired General TY Danjuma on Thursday raised the sum of N15million at the launch of a cultural Museum for the Tarok people of Langtang in Plateau State.

Danjuma who was chairman of the occasion gave the highest on-the-spot donation of N10million through the minister of state for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku. The minister also gave an undisclosed personal donation. General Babangida whose N5million donation was announced by former ECOMOG commander Gen. John Shagaya (rtd) also did not make it to the occasion but was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, a former federal permanent secretary. Shagaya himself gave a personal donation of N1m. Senator Victor Lar who is also a member of the Tarok community gave an initial donation of N2m, promising to give additional N8m in four instalments during the course of the project.

Former president Ibrahim Babangida and former defence minister, retired General TY Danjuma on Thursday raised the sum of N15million at the launch of a cultural Museum for the Tarok people of Langtang in Plateau State.

Danjuma who was chairman of the occasion gave the highest on-the-spot donation of N10million through the minister of state for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku. The minister also gave an undisclosed personal donation. General Babangida whose N5million donation was announced by former ECOMOG commander Gen. John Shagaya (rtd) also did not make it to the occasion but was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, a former federal permanent secretary. Shagaya himself gave a personal donation of N1m. Senator Victor Lar who is also a member of the Tarok community gave an initial donation of N2m, promising to give additional N8m in four instalments during the course of the project.

The launch/dinner which held at the Sheraton Hotel was organised under the aegis of Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok to raise N500 million for the project. Speaking at the occasion, National President of NIO, Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd), said going by their antecedents, the desire of the Tarok people was “to make a lasting imprint in the development of Nigeria and our people via productive knowledge enhancement.” He said the Tarok people were determined to create a sustainable development in infrastructure predicated on natural endowments of not just the physical but also the knowledge in their past.

General Dogonyaro who expressed hope that the museum would serve its purpose added that, “We want to re-orientate our younger generations that our past was not just a war, war and war, but technology, peace and love”. Father of the Day who is also the Izhan O’Tarok, former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, extolled the virtues and courage of the Tarok people as well as their contribution to Nigeria’s development. Chairman of the occasion, Lt. General T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd), commended the initiators of such a laudable project, which he said should be supported by every well-meaning Nigerians.

Chief Host of the event, His Royal Majesty, Ponzhi Tarok, General D.Y. Bali, who was represented by the Ponzhi Zinni, Hon. Nimnan Langnim, said the Tarok people are well-cultured and have respect for people, as such, they felt there was need to inculcate the same character in the younger generation.

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Gen T Y Danjuma and IBB make donations towards Taroh Museum project