Amb. Yahaya Kwande, The Long Kwo: From Statesman to Royalty, A legacy in motion By Yakubu Dati

The recognition he expected was long in coming. After years of adding value to the fatherland through excellent work in the public service, he expected to return home and reunite with his people.

He was ready to bring his rich experience home and enrich the culture and tradition of his ancestral home.

For about three decades his name was featured as a likely inheritor of the stool of his forefathers.

It, however, proved to be long in coming, as all manners of spanners were thrown in the wheel.

Never one to give up easily, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande stood through thick and thin, humbly walking through the maze of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

He thought the day had finally come when one of his sons from the Southern zone was in a position to bestow him with the long-expected honour. Alas!

But finally, from the unexpected quarters, came the surprise from the Central Zone; he has been recognised, and the honour that they deliberately refused to bestow on him had come.

In other climes, an elder statesman like Ambassador Yahaya Kwande would long have been celebrated with the crown due to him after years of impactful life in the public service.

It was not for nothing that the people of Zuru had honoured Gen. Sani Sami with an emirship or the people of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu as the Oba of Lagos. It was because they did their communities proud during their days in the public service.

It is their one way of honouring their sons who have given an excellent account of themselves in public service.

Amb. Yahaya Kwande ‘deserves no less. His life is a rich tapestry of diplomacy, leadership, and service.

Happily, it has culminated in a remarkable chapter: his journey to the revered stool of Long Kwo.

His achievements nationally and internationally are well known. As a diplomat and elder statesman, he represented Nigeria with honour. His political career, which included serving as a member of the House of Representatives and an ambassador to Switzerland, showcased his deep understanding of governance, conflict resolution, and cultural diplomacy.

Yet, despite his global exposure, Amb. Kwande never lost sight of his roots.

As a distinguished member of the Kwo (Kwagallak) people whose upbringing was shaped by a strong sense of community and an unyielding belief in cultural identity, his return to his people is not just a personal story; it’s a historical evolution deeply rooted in heritage, tradition, and the resilient spirit of the Kwo people.

His return to the Kwo traditional institution represents not a retreat from public life, but a homecoming—one that merges wisdom with ancestral duty.

The stool of Long Kwo is not just a symbol of authority; it is a sacred institution that safeguards the history, customs, and future of the Kwo people. Ascending to this throne requires more than heritage—it demands respect, vision, and the people’s trust. Kwande’s emergence as Long Kwo reflects the community’s recognition of his lifelong dedication to their collective well-being.

Amb. Yahaya Kwande’s journey to the stool of Long Kwo is a testament to the fusion of modern leadership with traditional values. As Long Kwo, he is poised to be a bridge between generations, a voice for unity, and a steward of cultural renaissance.

In a time when tradition often struggles to find its place in a fast-changing world, the enthronement of Amb. Yahaya Kwande serves as a beacon—reminding us that true leadership begins and ends with service to one’s people.

The foundational values imbibed over the years have shaped his path as a statesman and traditional leader.

Plateau sons and daughters must arise as a new chapter is being unveiled with the presentation of the Staff of Office to HRH, Amb. Yahaya Kwande Kwalgurum 11 OON, as Long Kwo of the Kwo chiefdom by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang.

The good tidings he expected from the South were long in coming, but the Central has finally crowned him with the much-awaited honour. Long live the Kwo Kingdom.