Gwamna Awan

Gwamna Danladi Awan (1915 – 1 October 2008) was the monarch of Gworog (Kagoro) Chiefdom, a Nigerian traditional state and was reputed to be the longest served monarch in Nigeria and second oldest in Africa, reigning for 63 years (1945–2008). He was also known by the title Chief of Kagoro.

Life and education Gwamna Awan was born in Ucyo (Fadan Kagoro) in 1915. Earlier on, his father, Awan, was adopted by his granduncle, the fourth monarch of Gworog, Biya Kaka. His educational career began in 1928 where all through till 1932 he attended evening classes, before proceeding to the Elementary Teachers Centre, Toro (now in Bauchi State) between 1933 and 1935.

Kingship Royal tussle After the demise of Chief Biya Kaka in August 1944, there was a delay in the appointment of a successor due to the tussle over who should become the next monarch. There were two candidates vying for the position: an animist and a Christian in the person of Gwamna Awan who got strong backing from the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) who pressured the British colonial authorities to select their candidate to succeed Kaka. At the end, Awan was appointed the acting Chief, and subsequently installed formally as the first Christian monarch in the whole of the southern part of Zaria Province and 5th Chief of Kagoro by G. D. Pitcairn, the British colonial Resident of Zaria Province on 11 April 1945.

Among other monarchs of the old Northern Region of Colonial Nigeria, like Attah of Igala, Aliyu Obaje (56 years); Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar III (50 years); Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero (51 years); Emir of Daura, Muhammadu Bashar (41 years); Lamido of Adamawa, Aliyu Mustapha (57 years); Sarkin Katagum, Muhammadu Kabir (37 years); Emir of Lafia, Mustafa Agwai (43 years); Emir of Daura, Abdurrahman (1911–1966); Awan had the longest reign of 63 years.

Legacy A hospital, Dr. Gwamna Awan General Hospital was named after him.