Joseph Gomwalk

Joseph Gomwalk Biography / Profile

Joseph Dechi Gomwalk was born on April 13th, 1935, at Amper, Pankshin Division Plateau State, Nigeria. His father, Samuila Dechi Gomwalk, was a Native Authority Scribe and was, like his mother, from the Anga people in Kanke local government area of Plateau.

Joseph Gomwalk Age

Joseph Gomwalk would have been 89 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.

Joseph Gomwalk Early Life

Gomwalk attended the Sudan United Mission, Amper from 1943 to 1946 and Gindiri from 1947 to 1949. Then at Gindiri Boys Secondary School from 1950 to 1955 before going to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology between 1956 and 1958 and University College, Ibadan from September 1958 to June 1961. He represented his university in athletics and acquired a BSc in zoology and parasitology.

Joseph Gomwalk Career

After a brief spell as a research officer Gomwalk transferred to the Northern Nigeria Administrative Service (1961-1965) and then the Federal Administrative Service (1965-1966). A major achievement as an administrative officer was the construction, through communal labour, of the escarpment road to Mambilla Plateau, a road that was later completed by the army. Immediately after the coup of January 1966 he was transferred to the police force. His good work was noticed and he was selected as the first Military Governor of Benue Plateau State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and served from May 1967 until July 1975.

After Gowon's overthrow and the installation of Murtala Mohammed, Gomwalk was implicated in Buka Suka Dimka's attempted coup of February 13th, 1976 and was executed by firing squad in Lagos on May 15th, 1976.