Meet The First Gung Zaar Of Zaar Chiefdom

By John Habila Murai

The 27th of October would forever remain indelible in the minds of all Zaar sons and daughters including all other tribes and religious groups under the newly created Zaar Chiefdom.

Governor Bala Mohammed broke the jinx by making history to fulfill his campaign promises to the people of Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro local government areas and environs.

The actualization of Zaar chiefdom remains the utmost priority of every responsible Zaar sons and daughters as recommended by the Justice Babalakin Tribunal after the 1991 crisis but successive governments in Bauchi state deliberately did implement the many recommendations regarding the actualization of Zaar chiefdom until Governor Bala Mohammed came on Board in 2019.

The government therefore appointed Brigadier General Marcus Kokko Yake (Rtd) as the new and first Gung Zaar of Zaar Chiefdom.

Who is Brigadier General Marcus Kokko Yake?

Born in 1958, Marcus Kokko Yake hails from Mwari the ancient town of legendary Baba Gonto in Bogoro local government area of Bauchi state.

Upon completion of his primary and secondary schools, Marcus Kokko Yake proceeded to the Nigerian Defence academy Kaduna, presidential parchment of commission 1979 1981.

As a military officer he was at the University of Ibadan where he obtained Masters degree in strategic studies as well as the National war college Abuja for his "fellow war college"

Other qualifications of the new Gung Zaar of Zaar Chiefdom include, the University of Lagos for his advanced diploma operation research, Ahmadu Bello university consultancy services, Management course among others.

Marcus Kokko Yake rose through the military ranks before his retirement as a Brigadier general in the Nigerian army.

He held the following positions in the Nigerian Army and in the political scene; Platoon commander, 243 Recce Battalion, Jos, Plateau state, instructor Nigeria Army Armour School Bauchi, company Commander, 211 Tank Battalion (215 Tk Bn), Battalion second in command 243 Recce Battalion Kaduna/Somalia/ Nguru, military Assistant to chief of operations/ policy and plans (AHQ Lagos) and brigade Major 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri.

Brigadier General Marcus Kokko Yake RTD was the General staff officer Grade 1 (GS01) operations (ACCS) Bauchi, Commanding officer NIBAT 32 Sierra Leon, Commanding officer 212 Tank Battalion Maiduguri, Colonel Tank war fare, chief instructor weapons/tactics department, colonel logistics (G4) Armoured corps center and school Bauchi and colonel Coordination (G3) Armour corps center and school, Bauchi.

He attended a lot of courses within and outside Nigeria.

He held the following appointments; 2008: Chief Instructor Research and Development and Chief of staff headquarters Armoured corps center and school (NAAS) Bauchi, Commander, Multi national joint task force MNJTF, BAGA, Borno State, Nigeria, Director Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, Lagos.

Chairman committee on illegal settlement of Fulani Herders and the last position that he held before his appointment as the first Gung Zaar Of Zaar Chiefdom, Brigadier General Marcus Kokko Yake (Rtd) was Special Adviser on Security to Governor Bala Mohammed from 2019 to 2023.

Chong Th Gha Gung Dah.

John Habila Murai writes from Bauchi.