1. Call to Worship
2. Hymn: "How Great Thou Art"
3. Thanksgiving Prayer
4. Hymn: "There's a Land that is Fairer than Day"
5. First Scriptural Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
6. Hymn: "There's Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus"
7. Second Scriptural Reading: Revelation 21:1-7
8. Special Song ministration by Zumunta Mata LCCN Nyanya
9. Goodwill Message from Lunguda Community in Abuja
10. Goodwill Message from Adamawa State Community in Abuja
11. Hymn: "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less"
12. Responsive Reading: Psalm 136:1-26
13. Hymn: "It Is Well"
14. Third Scriptural Reading: Matthew 25:11-13
15. Hymn
16. Testimonies by Friends, Colleagues, and Church Members
17. Special Number
18. Sermon
19. Special Prayer for the Family
20. Hymn: "Because He Lives"
21. Recognition/Announcements and Vote of Thanks
22. Prayer of Benediction
.
He is Lunguda by tribe, Lunguda is a small tribe in Adamawa State and in some part of Gombe State. The Lunguda people mainly live in Guyuk L.G.A in the southern part of Adamawa State. His ancestry can be traced to a village called Gubara, but later his father moved to Gwana where he started his family. Baba Eli Gamaliel was born on the date the Second World War ended on 27/09/1949 into the family of Baba Gamaliel Tahbi (This date was confirmed by one of the soldiers that returned from the war). He was the second child of the family and some of his siblings are; Vilson, Susume, Peter, Ayigeyiga, Buriba, Enwi, Sabo, Wunga, Araga, Dwanga, and Gandume
His father was a farmer and a trader, and by local standard he was a very successful businessman. As his business expanded, he moved from Gwana to Guyuk which was the headquarters of the district, in search of a bigger market. The UTC shops in Guyuk where his father traded was close to the River Gongola, where his father distributed and retailed essential commodities such as sugar, soap, tea and clothing items. He had a big shop in Guyuk Market where people from surrounding villages came to buy their household items, indeed It was a local supermarket. His father's success as a trader and farmer was evident by the fact that he was among the first few people in Guyuk to build a house with a Zink roof, and in those days, that was a very big deal. He also acquired oxen for plowing, and bought a motor-van for transportation respectively. During the second republic, his father went into politics and sponsored individuals into political offices. As a result, the Government awarded him with the contract of feeding students at the Government day secondary school Guyuk. His father was a philanthropist, and that had a huge impact on him (Baba Eli). For instance, there was a period of famine in the entire Numan Federation in the 1970's due to drought. People were dying of hunger and some relocated out of the region, particularly in Guyuk, Baba Gamaliel in his usual manner as a philanthropist, would travel to Jalingo town which is present day Taraba State capital and buy garri, which he sold to families at a very subsidize rate, in other words he made no profit on it. As a result of that, his house was always crowded with people trying to purchase the garri. For those who did not have money he gave them on credit.
At 3 years old when his father moved from Gwana to Guyuk, his elder brother was taken to their maternal uncle “Baba Bilala”, to tend his animals as was the Lunguda tradition and culture (Matrilineal in nature). So, he automatically became the first child in the house and took up the responsibilities of the first born of the house. At the age of 5, he started going to the market with his father. He was trained in informal book keeping and marketing. His father opened his shop by 8am or 10 am, after which his father will leave the responsibility of managing the shop to him and travel either to Shelleng to buy some goods or go to the farm. When he returns later in the day, he (Eli) was relieved to go and play with his friends in the neighbourhood. Most of the time those games ended with a fight, but before the end of the day, all quarrels will be settled by elders and all the children ended up eating together. This was the circle of his life growing up in the village. However, his father loved him so much that he did not allow anybody take him (Baba Eli) away from him as it was the custom/tradition then. His mother's brothers tried to take him, but they couldn't because his father was determined to send him to school to receive formal education and therefore refused to let him stay with his uncles.
He was hurriedly rushed to start school before he was matured enough just to avoid being taken by his uncles who wanted him to be a Shepard boy. So instead of direct entry to primary one, he started from pre-primary, because at that time your hands had to go over your head to touch your opposite ear before you could be admitted into primary 1. His exposure to figures at his father's shop gave him an advantage over his mates, so he was soon promoted to primary one after only 3 months in the pre-primary section. He entered junior primary school in 1956 and as soon as senior primary school was opened in Guyuk, he was among the 1st set, and graduated in 1964. To be a graduate of senior primary school in those days was almost as equal as obtaining a Senior Secondary School Certificate. Going to Secondary School was very tough, there were very few colleges and secondary schools, therefore limited vacancies, and you have to be able to pass a common entrance examination and interview to get into any of the colleges. In 1964 he (Baba Eli) sat for the common entrance exams. In a class of forty-four (44) pupils, only two of them were lucky to pass and gained admission into secondary and teachers college. Furthermore, he always said that his secondary school days were the most interesting part of his school life, because that was the first time he moved out of the village to the city and also met pupils from other backgrounds. His school was a new school, called “Bronnum Secondary School” and he was among the second set of students to graduate in the school. When he was in form 4, he was made the Head-boy of the school, (this position was only given to students with great academic performance and good morals). This position was challenging, but regardless, during his graduation he received the award for the best in Health Science. In 1969 when he graduated from the secondary school, he proceeded to Zaria school of basic studies. After his school of basic studies, which is usually one year, he proceeded to Jos Plateau State, which was then Benue-Plateau for nursing school and graduated after four years of training in the school of nursing, and was then posted to the General Hospital Yola in
As a child, he observed his father organizing meetings of politicians in their house, of which he was eventually recruited as their secretary for those political meetings because he was the only one around who could read and write. His duties included writing invitation letters, marking the register of attendance and recording financial transactions, all these influenced and shaped his capacity to coordinate and organise well informed political activities Locally and Nationally. In his quest for knowledge, he later proceeded to A.B.U Zaria to study psychology and human anatomy, while in the university, he joined student politics; and also had contact with radical lecturers, like Bala Usman, Patrick Wulimet, Bala Takaya who organize lectures for radical change. In fact, this had a great influence on him and his political career. Before he graduated from the university, he joined UPN and became the chairman student wing, while His Excellency Boni Haruna. The former Governor of Adamawa State between 1999-2007 was his secretary. After graduating from A.B.U Zaria he returned to Yola Adamawa State as a lecturer in the school of nursing. However, as a lecturer he was deeply involved in organise Labour struggles, where he met and worked with Mr. Paschal Bafyua, the Former National Leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Because of his commitment to labour struggle, late Comrade Pascal Bafyua asked he “Baba Eli” to organise the NLC structure in Adamawa State being a new state created from the defunct Gongola State in the year 1991. While in NLC, they continue to mobilize and push for change to civil rule, and lecturers in higher institutions were their contact and resource persons. However, in 1989, when Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida planned a review of the constitution and members were elected on non-party basis, which Lead to Hon. Baba Eli to be elected to represent Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency at the assembly, after which political associations were formed and he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and became its P.R.O in Adamawa State under the chairmanship of Barr. Dr. Boss Gida Mustapha, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He was national coordinator for Prince Baba Adi presidential campaign and later coordinator for the Middle belt region to “Chief Arthur Nzerebe” presidential campaign team. After the June 12 and the military takeover, all political activities came to a halt in the country, hence his transition into the hospitality industry, where he worked in Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers, and resigned as the Director Human Resources in the year 2007 and later returned to active politics in both State and National level. Above all, late Baba Hon. Eli Gamaliel was a seasoned and composite grassroots politician of all time.
He first met his wife Adah Shadaya in June 1974 in Maiduguri during documentation for Nursing school graduates., and immediately knew in his spirit and body that he had found his soul mate. She was a young, brown skinned and extremely beautiful lady who was neatly dressed. She was sitting by herself and he had to gather all the strength within him to approach her and started up a friendly conversation. Their discussion was not encouraging as he (Eli) was a bit shy and she was a bit passive. But as soon as the posting came out, they were both posted to Yola General Hospital. Thereafter, their relationship deepened in Yola, and she began to warm up to him. Everyone around them, especially at the work place knew that they were in a relationship. After a period of dating and getting to know each other, he proposed to her and she accepted. He then quickly informed his father, who reached out to her parents, and asked for the bride price, which was paid . in the sum of N60. They later got married. In 1975 their 1st son Suri was conceived and born through a caesarean section, it was a delicate and complicated procedure. The doctor in the process committed some errors that led to two subsequent operations, after which it was medically concluded that his wife cannot be pregnant again, but miraculously God visited them and his wife conceived, but afterward they lost the baby on health grounds and so they gave up hope of having other children. God in His mercies still showed up for them, and blessed them with more children. They are proud parents to 3 young men.
Senator Dr. J. S. Zwingina Boss Mustapha Dr. Pogu Bitrus (President Middle Belt Forum) Sylvester N. Baruwa Comr. Emmanuel Ishaku Balami . Pastor Isaac Ahangba Agwaza LCDA Abuja It is with profound sadness that we in Lunguda Development Association (LDA) received the news of the death of Comrade Eli Gamaliel. We remember with nostalgia how, as a Nurse, he gave hope, succor, encouragement, support and, invaluable nursing care to all and sundry. We also remember in those hey days of Marxism how Comrade Eli Gamaliel, alongside Comrade (now Senator) Jonathan S. Zwingina and others, would courageously take on any government or authority on behalf of anyone whose rights were being denied or trampled upon. Their struggles against a well-entrenched feudalistic system not only raised our collective consciousness to the sanctity of citizens' rights and privileges but also added value to our shared journey through this life. Without Comrade Eli Gamaliel and his Marxist co-travelers' effort by now these feudal forces would have driven us aground. As we mourn Comrade Eli Gamaliel's loss, let us celebrate his life, his legacy, and the enduring impact he has had on each of us. Let his family, friends, and loved ones find solace in these cherished memories and the knowledge that Comrade Eli touched many lives in so many in profound ways. Adieu Comrade! FAMILY TRIBUTE My heart overflows with memories of our life together. You were not only my husband but my confidant, my rock, and my greatest supporter. Your love filled our home with warmth, laughter, and unwavering strength. You are irreplaceable forever Rest peacefully, my beloved. Until we meet again. With all my love. Mrs. Adah Eli Gamaliel (Wife) Baba you taught us integrity. Suri E. J. Gamaliel (Son) "There was a man sent from God, whose name was…" you Dad. My Father, Teacher, Mentor, Voice of wise counsel and friend; Now that you have joined the cloud of the spirits realms, your memory remains blessed and irreplaceable. Chief. Eli Jegu-bara Gamaliel, Esquire (Son) My dearest dad, though now gone from my sight, your loving spirit remains imprinted on my heart. You taught me how to live with kindness, courage and joy. Today my weekends are going to be empty without you, but I know weather in bloom or blight God speaks to us and I am happy knowing you rest peacefully now. I will strive to honor you through how I live my own life, keeping your memories evergreen. We shall meet on the other side of eternity. Mr. Eli Duke Gamaliel (Son) Grandpa, you were the best person on earth. A very charismatic leader to us all. You were a humble and considerable man. Rest in peace. Jasmine E. J. Gamaliel (Grand-daughter)-01 Glorious Exit Late Hon. Baba Eli Gamaliel Tahbi I miss grandpa. You were the best thing that ever happened to me so I want to say, Rest in Peace. I will meet you in the afterlife. Jemimah E. J. Gamaliel (Grand-daughter) You are the best in my life. You loved me so much with and which you make heaven last. Jirah E. J. Gamaliel My father and model. If it was a dream, I wished never to sleep again. Accepting this reality is a difficult thing to do. Though, you taught me to always be strong, this time my strength has failed. Nevertheless, I take solace in the fact that your resting in the bossom of the Lord. Rest on Daddy. Miss Bilha Vilson Gamaliel (Daughter)
My dear Comrade, your departure is hard to believe but the Lord knows all. You left a loving and worthy family for which we are proud. We pray to meet you again to part no more.
, a dear brother, friend, and political associate of all times, has gone home to rest in the bosom of the Lord. Rest in peace, Adieu my confidant. Boss Mustapha
dear friend, , you lived a fulfilled life as a middle belter of repute and your passing is a great loss to all of us. The indelible mark you have printed in the hearts of many in the Middle Belt Region, will remain with us and our memories of your commitment and good works will ever be remembered. Rest in the bosom of the Lord dear compatriot.
A great gem has been lost. May his soul Rest in Peace.
OMG. My colleague and friend have gone too soon but God knows why. It is an appointed time. The children and your wife with friends had fought the battle but the decision is final. We will miss you, especially when last I came and we talked at length and encouraged each other and you ate your food and your wife was very happy. Rest in Perfect Peace.
RIP Daddy. Thanks for a life well lived and the children you have raised. You will forever be remembered
We have lost an icon, a father of many. LCDA Abuja will forever remember your legacies and you will be greatly missed.