Plateau Monarch Honours Umahi as APC Chairman Hails Him as Tinubu’s “Signature Boy”
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has been conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Ngorog Ngasmwa (Lover of Ngas) by the Pankshin and Kanke Joint Traditional Rulers Council in Plateau State, as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, described him as “President Bola Tinubu’s signature boy” in recognition of his performance in transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
The honour was bestowed on the Minister during the flag-off of the Babban Lamba–Sharam (Phase II) Road Rehabilitation Project in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works and signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works on Media.
Conferring the traditional title, the Chairman of the Pankshin and Kanke Joint Traditional Rulers Council and Ngolong Ngas, HRH Nde Jika Golit, said the honour was in recognition of Umahi’s commitment to infrastructure development and his role in bringing the road project to the area under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The royal father welcomed the Minister into the Ngas nation, describing him as a trusted ally of the people.
“You come to Ngasland not as a stranger, but as an honoured ally. In deep appreciation of this assignment and in recognition of your role in flagging off this landmark project within my Chiefdom, I am honoured to confer on you the prestigious Traditional Title of Ngorog Ngasmwa (Lover of Ngas). I therefore welcome you today as a distinguished member of my Council of Traditional Title Holders,” the monarch declared.
He added:
“You are welcome to Ngas Land. It’s our honour that you have become an Ngas son. You are now the same as our son, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda. He will teach you the language.”
Responding, Senator Umahi expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for the honour and praised the APC National Chairman for his leadership qualities.
“I thank you for the honour done to me. I want to tell you that your son, now my brother, is very energetic and divine, the man that will deliver Mr. President come 2027. Thank you again,” Umahi said.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda lauded the Minister’s achievements, describing him as one of the most outstanding members of President Tinubu’s cabinet.
“My brother, my friend, the workaholic Minister, the man that has made the difference, the clear difference in terms of infrastructure transformation in Nigeria, you are constructing thousands of roads across Nigeria. It has never happened before. You have done what is incredible. You are the signature boy of Mr. President,” Yilwatda stated.
He further commended President Tinubu for appointing Umahi as the first Minister of Works from the South-East, saying the appointment has been fully justified.
“We are proud of you and we remain very proud of you. Coming from the South East, the first Minister of Works from the South East appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the first significant Minister from the South East, and you have demonstrated that bringing you was never a mistake. Thank you for the great work you are doing on behalf of Mr. President,” he added.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, also praised Umahi, describing him as one of the brightest stars in the Tinubu administration.
“The starboy of the administration nationally, our own elder brother and friend, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, we want to welcome the workaholic Minister,” the governor said.
Speaking on the significance of the Babban Lamba–Sharam Road project, Mutfwang said the highway would unlock economic opportunities, improve connectivity and enhance the livelihoods of communities in the area.
“This road we are flagging off today is not just a road; it’s an opening of opportunities. It’s an opportunity for networking, a transit route to greater possibilities,” he said.
The governor thanked President Tinubu for approving the project and reaffirmed Plateau State’s support for the President’s second-term bid.
“For us in Plateau State, it’s Tinubu or nothing,” he declared.
Former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Bako Lalong, also commended President Tinubu for introducing concrete pavement technology on major federal highways, describing the innovation as a game changer for Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Referring to Umahi as “Mr. Magic,” Lalong said the Minister’s achievements had earned him widespread admiration across the country.
“Honourable Minister, Mr. President has introduced something novel in Nigeria. Everybody would say that you are Mr. Magic. Yes, indeed, you are Mr. Magic. Many people don’t know concrete roads. Today, concrete road is what we are going to see on this road,” Lalong said.
He also recalled the recent flag-off of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, describing it as another landmark project that would boost regional connectivity and economic development.
“Yesterday, we flagged off the one we have been praying for, the Akwanga–Jos–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri, connecting so many local governments and states. We have one thing to tell Mr. President: we are going to renew our mandate. In Plateau State, our own is further endorsement,” the former governor stated.
The Babban Lamba–Sharam (Phase II) Road is one of several strategic road projects being executed by the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth and enhance the quality of life for Nigerians.
