His Royal Highness Dr. Ali Damburam, a medical doctor, administrator and philanthropist, ascended the throne of his ancestors as the First Ptil Madagali of Madagali chiefdom in Adamawa state one year ago. Blueprint.ng correspondent periscopes his royal journey and its impact on the people.
Correcting Colonial Injustice Against Indigenous Tribes
Adamawa state is a mini Nigeria with rainbow of different tribes and ethnic groups with diverse culture and religious beliefs. The people co-existing peacefully for decades, practicing their traditional system of governance until the coming of the British colonialists, replaced the traditional with the centralised system government under the Sokoto Caliphate.
However, following the independence of Nigeria in 1960, the ethnic nationalities in the state have unsuccessfully agitated for the restoration of their traditional stool and cultural identity altered by the colonialists which reduced them to second class citizens in their own land. Thanks to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, one of their own, a Marghi blood, who in his second term saw the need to revisit and correct the injustice; he created seven additional emirates and chiefdoms in Adamawa state, in what his administration termed “traditional reforms and the quest for fairness and justice”.
Created on December 24, 2025, the new emirates and chiefdoms were described as the best Christmas gift to the people of the state by the governor. They include Hoba chiefdom with headquarters in Hong (second class); Madagali chiefdom with headquarters in Gulak (second class); and Fufore emirate with headquarters in Fufore (second class). Others are Yungur chiefdom with headquarters in Dumne( third class); Gombi chiefdom with headquarters in Gombi (third class) and Maiha chiefdom with headquarters in Maiha (third class).
Journey to the Throne
Dr. Ali Danburam’s journey to the throne of his ancestors as Ptil Madagali began on January 3, 2025, when Governor Fintiri appointed seven emirs and chiefs for the new created emirates and chiefdoms with Dr Damburam, former Chief Medical Director Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola appointed as the Ptil Madagali.
His appointment underscored the governor’s resolve to ensure that only individuals of proven integrity man the traditional institutions in the state. Damburam prides a record of lofty achievements of indelible legacies of meritorious service to humanity. This endeared to his people who see him as a round peg in a round hole. His appointment was greeted with excitement and enthusiasm by people of the Marghi nation at home and in the diaspora, as well as across the state and beyond. His patriotism, humility, empathy, love for humanity and passion for development are legendary.
Little wonder, no sooner his was appointment was announced than his Yola residence became a Mecca of sorts as people from all walks of life within and outside the state trooped in to congratulate the brand new emir and distinguished Nigerian who has carved a niche for himself in many aspects of human endeavours, especially in the medicine, community development and humanitarian service.
A Prayer Answered and Dream Fulfiled
The dream and prayer of all royalists is to ascend the throne of their forefathers. Some are lucky to accomplish this ambition while others fail no matter how hard they try. For 66-year-old Danburam, it’s a life of fulfilment, accomplishments, impacts and gratitude to God for reaching the zenith of his medical career and ascending the throne of his forefathers as PtilMadagali.
Home Coming and Presentation of Staff of Office
Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali chiefdom, came to a standstill on Wednesday, January 9, 2025, when people from all walks of life, especially the Marghi nation across the globe, friends and well wishers, gathered at the Wurogayandi Bridge to officially receive their newly appointed king, Ali Danburam, and usher him to the throne and his palace to begin his reign as the 1st PtilMadagal of Madagali chiefdom.
Accompanied by large convoy of friends, well wishers and prominent sons and daughters of the Marghi nation, the new Ptil was received by a mammoth crowd including women, youths and the elderly who majestically led him to Gulak town amidst singing, dancing and traditional fanfare.
District and village heads, among other title holders, were on ground to receive, pay homage and allegiance to their new king. The rites and oath taking were performed in line with the Marghi culture and traditions including beating of the drum three times with a loud song of “Ngom” or “Lumbodi” which symbolises the formal ascension to the throne of Marghi lineage. The king was then led into the palace to officially commence his reign as the Ptil Madagali.
February 19, 2025, marked a watershed in the history of the newly created Madagali chiefdom. The entire Adamawa state government machinery led by Governor Fintiri and accompanied by Governors Bala Mohammed and Kefas Agbu of Bauchi and Taraba states, respectively, traditional rulers, elected representatives, prominent sons and daughters of Marghi nation, friends and well wishers stormed the ancient city of Gulak for the official presentation of the second class staff of office to Ali Damburam, the 1st Ptil Madagali.
Speaking at the coronation ceremony, Governor Fintiri said that the creation of Madagali chiefdom is long overdue and attributed all his successes in life to the people of Madagali who have given him the opportunity to explore the world.
“This is Madagali, my root and my pride. Whatever I am today and whatever I do for Adamawa and Nigeria is all thanks to this modest community where it all began. The other driver of my joy is the personality of Ptil Madagali HRH Dr. Ali Danburam, for whom we are all gathered to acknowledge as a leader with rich pedigree, vast social network and deep commitments to community service. There is indeed no better person prepared for this role than him,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, the Ptil pledges to fast track development, unite the people, promote cultural values, support government policies and rule his people with honesty, fear of God, equity and justice in line with Fintiri’s vision of a united and prosperous Adamawa.
Changing the Narratives
Since mounting the throne, Danburam has continued to endear himself to his people with his progressive leadership anchored on inclusivity, community development, promotion and preservation of cultural heritage. He has recorded tremendous success in the peace building, war against social vices, agriculture, cultural rejuvenation, among others.
In the last one year of royalty, Damburam has led his people with respect and dignity, ensuring fairness, equity and justice among the different tribes that make up Madagali chiefdom; he has been a shoulder for his people to lean on at all times, especially in terms of needs and troubles leveraging his professional competence to provide medical support to his people including carrying out surgeries and upsetting medical bills for many.
He has been interfacing and working closely with security agencies in the chiefdom and other community based security architecture to maintain peace and order in his domain. His royal highness has also taken bold steps to curb youth restiveness, drug abuse, theft, cattle rustling, among other social vices, in his domain.
Danburam has continued to leverage his connections, goodwill, and social contacts to drive the development of his domain. To preserve and promote the cultural heritage of his people, he introduced the National Marghi Day, an annual cultural fiesta showcasing the rich culture and tradition of the Marghi ethnic group. It brings all Marghi sons and daughters from across the globe to promote their cultural values and chart a way forward for the chiefdom, resulting in the launch of Marghi national attire to promote their identity.
The monarch has allocated lands to peasant farmers in his domain free of charge to promote agriculture and boost the economy of the chiefdom, ending years of exploitation of the farmers.
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