Joseph Dechi Gomwalk (13 April 1935 – 15 May 1976 ) was a Nigerian police commissioner and the first Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State after it was formed from part of Northern Region. He was executed due to his connections to Buka Suka Dimka ‘ s attempted coup against Murtala Mohammed’ s government.
JOSEPH GOMWALK EDUCATION
Gomwalk was Ngas from Ampang ( Pang ) in the present Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. He attended the famous Boys Secondary School Gindiri where he graduated with distinctions in both academics and sports . He proceeded to the premier University of Ibadan and graduated with a degree in Zoology.
JOSEPH GOMWALK GOVERNORSHIP OF BENUE-PLATEAU STATE
Gomwalk was Governor of the state from 1967 until 1975 , when military head of state Yakubu Gowon ‘ s regime was toppled in a coup d’ état. A Visionary Leader While Governor, Gomwalk started the Nigerian Standard in 1972 ; as of 2003 , it is a government- owned daily located on Joseph Gomwalk Road in Jos , and has a circulation of 100,000.
After failing to get Ahmadu Bello University of Zaria to open a satellite campus in the state , he turned to the University of Ibadan ; that institution opened its Jos campus ( which later became the University of Jos ) in November 1971 . In August 1974 , affidavits alleging corruption on the part of Gomwalk and Joseph Tarka , Benue -Plateau State’ s representative to the Federal Executive Council , were published; Tarka resigned, but Gomwalk , with Gowon ‘ s support , remained in office.
JOSEPH GOMWALK EXECUTION
After Gowon ‘ s overthrow and the installation of Murtala Mohammed, Gomwalk was implicated in Buka Suka Dimka ‘ s attempted coup of February 13 , 1976 and was executed by firing squad on May 14 , 1976 .
-
SEE ALSO: General Mamman Jiya Vatsa Biography
