AVM Monday Morgan appointed President of Kwararafa Devt Forum

By Abubakar Yunusa

Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan (Rtd), Akii of Kwararafa Kingdom, has been appointed as President of the Kwararafa Development Forum (KDF).

This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by Mr Joseph Ode on behalf of AVM Morgan.

According to the statement, the appointment was made by His Majesty, Dr. Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen, D.Sc. (h.c.), Aku Uka of Wukari, Chairman Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers and President, Wukari Traditional Council, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Kwararafa Rebirth for National Development/Kwararafa Development Forum (KDF).

It noted that the historic appointment, contained in a letter dated 27th August, 2026, and signed personally by His Majesty, was announced at a Grand Reunion held on Friday, 19th September, 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where hundreds of traditional rulers, political leaders, technocrats and cultural delegations gathered under the banner of KDF.

The Kwararafa Rebirth for National Development was established with the noble objective of promoting unity, peace, cultural renaissance and sustainable development among the people and communities historically associated with the old Kwararafa Empire, with a broad vision of fostering unity and national development.

The royal father said the appointment of AVM Morgan to lead the Forum was based on his “experience, integrity, leadership qualities and commitment to the advancement of our people.”

Of Idoma extraction, AVM Monday Riku Morgan (Rtd), Akii Kwararafa, a former Chief of Defence Intelligence of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was born in Ohimini LGA, Benue State. A seasoned fighter pilot, he retired after 35 years of unblemished service and is a recipient of the 2016 Good Governance/Leadership Man of the Year Award. Morgan is the founding National Coordinator of Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), the foremost socio-cultural pressure group agitating against the political isolation of Benue South (ZoneC) Senatorial District.

Deeply rooted in Kwararafa ancestry, Morgan has been a consistent advocate for unity among its descendants. On 2nd April 2026, the Wukari Traditional Council conferred on him the revered title of Akii of Kwararafa Kingdom, meaning “The Shield of Kwararafa” – the second-highest traditional title in the Empire. He was corronated on 1st July 2026 in Wukari by His Majesty the Aku-Uka, who charged him to defend communal interests and promote unity across the kingdom. He has since championed plans for an annual Kwararafa reunion in Wukari to protect ancestral lands and strengthen bonds.

With this latest appointment, he now stands as both the traditional shield (Akii) and administrative leader (President) of the Kwararafa renaissance.