Vice Chancellor of UNIJOS, Prof. Tanko Ishaya
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
The University of Jos (UNIJOS) has called on the family of the late Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden to consider publishing documented accounts of his years in governance. This appeal came during a roundtable and tribute attended by academics, students, political associates, and family members.
Held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, the event was themed “ Tyoden: Navigating Complex Terrains of Knowledge Production, Governance and Development in Africa.” It featured a panel of speakers reflecting on Tyoden’s legacy as a scholar, administrator, and statesman.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Joash Amupitan, described the roundtable as an opportunity to reflect on a man whose impact transcended academia.
He commended the Department of Political Science for organizing the event and recalled Tyoden’s initiatives as Vice-Chancellor, including the establishment of the Directorate of ICT and the adoption of computer-based testing.
“It is my hope that before he passed, he had documented his experiences in governance over the past eight years. If such records exist, I urge the family to help make them available, so we can preserve and publish them for the benefit of both the university and the nation,” Amupitan stated.
Earlier, The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Gideon Goshit, called Tyoden an organic intellectual who combined teaching, unionism, and _political engagement. He said the roundtable aimed to draw lessons from his life and work for future generations.
The roundtable featured scholarly reflections from Professor Sylvester Ogoh-Olubu, who cited Tyoden’s major works such as _Inter- and Intra-Party Relations, Of Citizens and Citizens: The Dilemma of Citizenship in Nigeria, and Nigeria: Youth Agenda in the 21st Century.
He interrogated questions of identity, inclusion, exclusion, and party politics in Nigeria,” Ogoh-Olubu said.
Offering deeper reflections, Professor Sylvester Alubo emphasized the importance of applying Tyoden’s legacy to current societal challenges. “One of the lasting questions we must continue to ask as scholars is: what practical contributions are we making to solve the problems of our society?” he stated.
Alubo discussed Tyoden’s focus on federalism and the Middle Belt. “What is the Middle Belt’s role in Nigeria? Do we maintain our identity, or align with hegemonic powers? These are questions still unresolved,” he noted.
On citizenship, Alubo said, “Yes, legally we are all Nigerians. But that identity is tested when one seeks to contest for office in a state where their ‘indigeneity’ is questioned.”
“Let us not just celebrate his life today let us read his work, teach it, and use it to influence policy, scholarship, and national development,” he concluded.
Other speakers included Professor Sam Egwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, who praised Tyoden’s leadership, and Julie Sanda, Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, who spoke of his impact on peacebuilding.
Professor Shadrach Best, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Plateau State University, said, “Those of us who moved from academia into politics were often told, ‘This is not about books.’ But Professor Tyoden proved otherwise.”
The university community resolved to preserve Tyoden’s intellectual legacy through continued scholarship, teaching, and potential publication of his contributions to governance.
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