Mutfwang Restores Pan Chiefdom’s First-Class Stool, Installs New Long Pan

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has installed His Royal Highness, Miskagam Jerome Goewam Leklat II, as the new Long Pan of Pan Chiefdom, restoring the traditional stool to its First-Class status.

The Governor presented the Staff of Office to the new monarch on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Ba’ap Mini Stadium in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area, describing the occasion as the restoration of a cherished institution and a symbol of unity among the people of Pan.

Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions across the state, describing them as critical partners in governance, peacebuilding, cultural preservation and community development.

He commended the people of Pan Chiefdom and the Qua’an-Pan Traditional Council for the peaceful transition following the death of the former Long Pan, His Royal Highness Miskagam Emmanuel Dabang, on May 8, 2025.

The Governor charged the new monarch to lead with wisdom, humility, fairness and courage, urging him to unite the people, heal divisions and build bridges across communities.

He also called on traditional rulers to strengthen relationships with their communities, provide credible intelligence to security agencies and support efforts to address insecurity, stressing that security must be treated as a collective responsibility.

Mutfwang further cautioned against drug abuse and the indiscriminate leasing of ancestral lands for mining. He said the state government was developing measures to ensure that the Federal Government, host communities and legitimate landowners benefit appropriately from mineral resources while protecting the environment.

The Governor also renewed his commitment to infrastructure development in the Southern Zone, pledging to complete the 61-kilometre Dokan Tofa–Ba’ap–Kurgwi and Jibam–Dokan Kasuwa roads.

He added that his administration would work to provide reliable electricity to the zone, saying the projects would boost commerce, create opportunities and unlock the economic potential of the area.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Gar, commended the Pan stakeholders, kingmakers and royal family for ensuring a smooth transition and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to repositioning the traditional institution.

Representing the Gbong Gwom Jos and President of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba, His Royal Highness Da. John Putmang Hirse congratulated the new Long Pan and urged him to use his experience and leadership qualities to promote unity among the diverse people of Pan Chiefdom.

Receiving the Staff of Office through Miskagam Doemak Cosmos Dakyap, the new Long Pan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged his support for the Mutfwang administration.

He, however, appealed for stronger security measures in the area, including the establishment of an operational command along the Qua’an-Pan–Mangu–Nasarawa corridor, which he said could help check the infiltration of bandits and terrorists.

The Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council, Christopher Audu Manship, congratulated the monarch and commended Governor Mutfwang for creating an enabling environment for the selection and installation of the new Long Pan.

He also appealed to the Governor to fast-track the completion of the Jibam–Qua’an-Pan road.

The Governor later commissioned the remodelled Long Pan’s Palace at Doemak and the newly constructed Snakebite Treatment Centre in Doemak, Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area.

Benmun Ibrahim