Tribute to Sir J K Lewa (1942 – 2025)

Sir (Dr.) Joseph Kafanchan Lewa, KSM, KSM, has been called home to eternal glory. He passed away on December 22, 2025, at 83 years old. The Lord rested him from the vagaries of the earth.

A man of great legacy, Sir Lewa lived a life of purpose and service. Titles like Dan Iya Eggon, Baraden Angbashu, and Gardi Kuje chiefdom, which were bestowed on him, speak to his impact.

Born on 15^th January 1942 in Kagbu-Wana, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Joseph Kafanchan. Lewa started his Primary Education in 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Barakin Abdullahi (BAD) Lafia, LGA and completed it in 1955 at St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School Aloce, Akwanga L.G.A where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.

Between 1956 and 1958, he was at the famous College of Mary Immaculate, (CM.I.) Kafanchan (Kaduna State) where he obtained a Grade Three Teacher’s Certificate with which he taught as a Primary School Teacher and Headmaster at the Catholic Primary Schools Wamba, Kagbu-Agunji, Nassarawa Eggon and Angwan Zaria.

In 1962, Mr. Lewa went back to the College of Mary Immaculate Kafanchan and obtained the Grade Two Teacher’s Certificate at the end of 1963 and taught as a teacher and Headmaster in Catholic Senior Primary Schools Wamba and Gudi.

Mr. Lewa was admitted at the renowned Ibadan University in 1968 and graduated in 1970 with a combined Diploma Certificate in Adult Education and Community Development with a wide range of studies in Local Government, Management, Economics, Sociology, Agriculture, Geography, English, English Literature, Research Methodology, Statistics, Psychology of Education, Survey, History of Education, Philosophy of Education, Adult Literacy, Adult Education Community Development and integrated Rural Development.

Mr. Lewa was at the University of Lagos, Continuing Education Centre, (mobile) during the second term of 1971-1972 and successfully attended a certificate course in Urban and Rural Community Development, Leadership and Organization skills, Project Planning, Evaluation and Administration.

In pursuance of further knowledge, Mr. Lewa left the country for the prestigious University of Manchester (UK) in 1974 and graduated with a Post-Graduate Degree Certificate in Community Development in 1975 (BA degree) with studies in community Mobilization and Orientation, Community Development, Research Methods, Adult Education, integrated Rural Development, Sociology,  Economics, Social Sector Planning, Philosophy of Education, Psychology of Education, adult literacy, Non-formal Education, Distance learning and Teaching.

He proceeded to the Ashriage Management College (UK, 1976) where he studied Management, Marketing and Business success, Accounting policies, Accounting convention, Team working, organization, total quality management, Taxation, Strategic Management, Financial objectives planning and control. (Certificate in Management).

He was admitted at the University of Connecticut, Harford (USA) in 1977 and graduated with a Professional/Specialist Certificate in Management Development programme in 1978. His area of studies covered Systems Analysis, Project Analysis, Statistics, Management, Accounting, Regional planning, Urban Renewal, Economics, Integrated Rural Development, Youth and Women Education.

In 1978 Mr. Lewa went back to the University of Manchester (UK) where he obtained the Degree of Master Certificate in Education (M. Ed) at the end of 1979 with a wide range of studies in Economics of Education, Contemporary and Classical Sociological Theories, Adult Education, Community Education and Development, Education and Social Change, Social Sector Planning, Adult Literacy, Comparative Analysis of world Education Systems,
Philosophy of Education, Psychology of Education, Urbanization, Bureaucracy, Employment and
Underemployment, Formal and non-formal Education and programmes. Education Planning, World Educational Crisis, Political Education and Economy, Youth, Women Education and non formal Education programmes.

Management Courses Attended Between 1990 AND 2000.

While in active service, Mr. Lewa attended several professional courses in Management which included the following:-

(i)    Appreciation Course on the implementation of the Civil Service Reforms in 1990.

(ii)   Senior Policy seminar on issues in Project Cycle management, Ibadan, 1990.

(iii) World Top International Conference on Budget Administration and Planning in Jos, 1991 (Certificate) Performance Adjudged Distinction.

(iv) Orientation Management Workshop for States Top Policies
Functionaries Organized by the Federal Office of Establishment and Management Services-The Presidency, in Collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) 1992.

(v)   National Sports Commission Management Seminar for Director and Chairmen of all the Association of Sports Jos 1992.

(vi) Management Workshop on Counselling for Top Government
Functionaries in the Public Service, 1993 (Certificate).

(vii) Management Workshop on Managing Effective programmes- Leadership, Team Building. Total Quality Management e. t. c. at the Sustainable Management Centre Global 2000, Jos, September 18 – 28, 2000.

Working Experience

His working experience spanned both the Teaching, Civil Service and Private Sector. He appreciably did his stint in the teaching
profession between 1959 and 1968. He was described by the Arch Diocese of Jos, in its schools’ inspection report (Education secretary) as an “efficient and keen teacher” due to his commitment, creativity school organization and hard work in teaching and learning (the inspection report).

Besides teaching, Mr. Lewa had a brilliant career in the Civil Service with effect from June 1970. During that exciting time, he
graduated from Officer to the Inspectorate Cadre and was appointed Head of Community Development Department in the Ministry for Local Government Headquarters in 1980. He was appointed Sole Administrator for the Plateau State Savannah Insurance Company in 1984. In 1988, he was appointed Acting Permanent Secretary (Political and Research) Department, Cabinet Office. In 1989 he was posted as a Director General and Acting Commissioner to the Ministry of Social Development Youth and Sports. In 1990, he was posted on the same capacity to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. In 1990, he moved on the same rank on posting to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning In-Charge of Budget and Planning. In February 1992, he was posted as Director General/General Manager to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board. In September 1992, he was posted as a Director General to the Deputy Governor’s Office In-Charge of Bureau for Sport and Culture, where he retired in 1993.

Simultaneous with the aforementioned positions, Mr. Lewa, who was an embodiment of hard-work, also held multifarious and strategic appointments in a number of capacities including Federal Government Appointment as a Board member of NAL Merchant Bank (Now Sterling Bank) between 1984 and 1990 and Director of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Plateau State, between 1986 and 1988 where he exhibited qualities of good leadership.

On retirement from the Civil Service in 1993, the erudite Administrator was employed by the Grand Cereals and oil Mills Company Ltd (GCOML) Bukuru, Jos (a subsidiary of U.A.C) Pic as an Assistant Commercial Manager and Sales Administrator between 1994 and 1999 when he retired.

In November 2000, he was appointed a Board Member of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) by the Federal Government for four years.

Ad hoc Duties

As an ebullient Civil Servant, Mr. Lewa was also engaged in Ad hoc duties namely:-

1. Chairman of the Monitoring Committee on Federal Government Establishments in Plateau State,
2. Permanent Member Standing Committee on writing Government White Papers. Plateau State Civil Service)
3. Member, various government Panels and Investigation Committees.
4. Member/Secretary to the committee on the transfer of Primary Education from Ministry of Education to the Ministry for Local Government in Plateau State.
5. Member Man ‘0’ War State Committee Plateau State.
6. Member National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) State Committee, Plateau State.
7. Electoral Functions/Duties.
8. Plateau State Scout Administrator/Commissioner (Honorary)

Award

• In 2007, upon the approval of his credentials by the Senate and enviable achievements and meritorious service to God and humanity, the Academic Arm of the Prestigious Pilgrim’s University, Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.A, through its African affiliate Pilgrim’s Theological Seminary, Abia State (Nigeria), conferred Sir J. K. Lewa with an award of Doctorate degree of Philosophy in Education and Development (Ph. D).

CONTRIBUTION AND AWARD OF TRADITIONAL TITLES

As a prolific writer, silent achiever, an articulate and shrewd manager, Sir Lewa made remarkable, intellectual and policy  contributions to the development of Plateau and Nasarawa States, as an active civil servant. Same can be said of his contribution to his community. For example, his articles in the first edition of the Eggon Students’ Union, Unijos booklet called “Ayimum”. More inspiring was one of his thought provoking papers and keynote address presented during a fund raising occasion at the Kagbu-Wana Community Secondary School in 1976. His industry bore further testimony to ubiquitous professional assignments: For example, he delivered several lectures to the NYSC Members at the Orientation Camp – Jos Plateau State. He presented papers to the participants at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Share Hills, Jos, during their various courses and for a number of years. As a Management consultant, he conducted several management workshops for Staff of Local Government Commission Nasarawa State and participated in others as a resource person.

Gifted with great perception and versatility and whose philosophy and principles were based on strict discipline, honesty, hard work and service to his community, Dr. Lewa who made things happen, was both a manager, and an active member of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), as well as an ardent believer in action and not words. As an expert in public, urban and rural development administration, he did not only mobilize his people to execute development projects and programmes but also contributed immensely both in cash and kind towards the establishment of the Eggon and Kagbu-Wana Community Secondary Schools, Barakin Abdullahi (BAD), Community Health Clinic, the Lafia to BAD feeder road maintenance and building of culverts and bridges among others. In recognition of this and other unquantifiable meritorious service as well as his position as an elder and effective leader in his community, Mr. Lewa was conferred with the traditional Chieftaincy titles of “Dan Iya” (Ahwye Ayiokpo) of Eggon by His Royal Highness, the Eggon Paramount Traditional Ruler, (First Class) the Aren Eggon, Dr. Bala Abaine Angbazo (JP, FCMA, MFR) of blessed memory, and that of his town as “Baraden Angbashu” (Andak’po Ohweko) (Mada Station) by His Royal Highness the Aren Angbashu, Alh. Musa Aliyu.

In August,2013 Dr. (Chief) Lewa was conferred with the traditional Title of ‘Gardi” (Ayieshyen-engla) Kuje chiefdom BAD in Lafia Local Government by His Royal Highness Mr. Peter Namo, JP (Late) Aren Kuje chiefdom Barakin Abdullahi (BAD).

Religion

Chief Lewa who was born into a Christian family and brought up in a stimulating Christian environment, was a devout Catholic. He belonged to various Church Organizations and contributed to the establishment, promotion and sustenance of Catholic Churches in many places in Plateau and Nasarawa State, particularity at Kagbu-Wana, (Laraba), Mada Station, Nasarawa Eggon, Barkin Abdullahi (BAD), Ogbagi, Agunji, Akwanga, Aridi, Assakio, Wamba, Angwan Zaria in Nasarawa State as
well as St. Patrick’s Jengre, St. Mary’s Army Engineers, Zaria Road Jos, St. Peter’s Kabong, Jos, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos, to mention but a few.

• He was one of the pioneer members of English Choir, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos (1970-1994)
• He was appointed patron, English Choir, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos, 2006 till death
• Member Men Organization, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos Chairman, Parish Council, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos
• Member, Planning and Implementation Committee of the First National Eucharistic Congress that took place in Jos, 19^th – 21^st November, 1982.
• Chairman Planning Committee, Harvest and Bazaar, Our Lady of Fatima Church between 1980 and 1985.
• Member works Committee, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Jos.
• Became a member of the Catholic Knights of St. Mulumba, (KSM) Nigeria in 1987 and rose through the rank of a Procurator, a chancellor, to that of the Deputy Grand Knight, Jos, sub-council and that of Deputy Grand Knight of Fatima Sub-Council, Jos. He was a 4th degree Knight.
• As a dedicated and committed member of KSM he often donated items collectively and individually to prisons and
  orphanages, widows, St. Vincent the poor, as well as contribution to the training of priests, sisters and catechists.

Appointments

In November 2001, he was appointed by the Nasarawa State Government as a member of the Panel on the creation of new chiefdoms and Review of the status of the existing ones in Nasarawa State.

In September 2009, he was appointed by the Sole Administrator, Agidi Development Council as the chairman of the Audit Committee that audited staff in Agidi Development Council of Nasarawa State.

In January 2010, appointed by the Nasarawa State Government as a member of the High Powered Administrative Committee that audited staff in the Public Service of Nasarawa State.

In November 2010, he was  appointed by the Nasarawa State Government as the chairman of the Nasarawa State Library Board.

On 10^th October 1991, he was appointed by the Plateau State Government as the Chairman, Committee, sharing of Assets and liabilities between Mangu Local Government and Bokkos.

Management Workshops Conducted:

In February 2003, he participated as a resource person in a three – day Intensive Workshop, “improving productivity in Local Government Service in Nasarawa State”, organized by the Local Government Service Commission Nasarawa State.

In May 2006, he designed, developed and conducted a three – day management workshop for some selected senior staff of the Local Government Service Commission, Nasarawa State.

In March 2007, he participated as a resource person in a three – day workshop on maintenance culture in the service of Local Government, organized by the Nasarawa State Local Government Service Commission.

In January 7^th – 11^th 2008, he participated as a resource person in five – day Retreat for Permanent Secretaries and chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals in the Nasarawa State by the administrative staff, College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry, Lagos.

In December 2012, Dr. Lewa published a book on Management Titled, Management: Explorations in Theories, Concepts and Applications.

Membership:

Dr. Sir (Chief) J.K Lewa besides being an embodiment of drive and determination was sociable, likeable and belonged to several social clubs, cultural and academic organizations.

1. ii. Member Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM)

iii.    Chairman/Member Ibadan University Alumni Association Plateau State Branch.

1. Member, Eggon Council of Elders
2. Member Golf Club, Rayfield, Jos Plateau State
3. vi. Member Polio Club, Jos Plateau State

vii.   Member Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA)

viii. Member Manchester University Alumni Association

Community Service

1. Foundation member, Board of Directors, and management Committee Wana Community Secondary School, Kagbu-Wana.
2. Chairman Technical Committee on the creation of additional chiefdoms, LGAs and delineation of constituencies in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area (2008).

iii.   Foundation member, Board of Directors, Community Health Clinic (Now Health and Maternity Clinic Barkin Abdullahi (BAD) Lafia Local Government.

1. Editor of a book Titled: Compendium of Eggon Prominent Sons and Daughters.
2. Chairman, J-Kaf-chanle (Nig) Ltd (Private)
3. vi. Chairman, Splurge Magazine (Private)

Marriage

Sir (Dr.) Chief Lewa got married to his first wife, Lady (Mrs)
Josephine Hajaratu Lewa (LSM) on 12th April, 1964 who went to be with the Lord on 14th March 1998.

After Nineteen years, God joined him with ‘mummy’ ‘Ashe Saba’
Lady (Mrs.) Paulina Yop Lewa (LSM) also a widow. They got married on 20^th January 2007.

Sir Lewa whose hobbies included reading, writing, farming, and
listening to a variety of music was widely travelled within and outside Nigeria, namely: The United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (U.S.A) Germany, France, Switzerland and Rome.

Final Curtain Call

As Sir Lewa takes his final bow on earth, we pray: May he rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy inspire others to walk with the Lord!