Domkat Bali

Domkat Yah Bali (27 February 1940 - 4 December 2020) was the Ponzhi Tarok from December 2010 until his death in December 2020.[1] Bali was a retired four-star General of the Nigerian Army, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, member of the Supreme Military Council of 1984–1985, and the Armed Forces Ruling Council of 1985–1990.

Domkat Bali
Minister of Defence
In office
1984–1990
Preceded byAkanbi Oniyangi
Succeeded bySani Abacha
Chief of Defence Staff
In office
1984–1990
Preceded byGibson Jalo
Succeeded bySani Abacha
General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Lagos
In office
January 1978 – December 1979
Preceded byBrig. M.I. Wushishi
Succeeded byBrig. M. Buhari
Personal details
Alma materNigerian Military Training College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1961–1990
RankGeneral

Early life and education

Bali was born in Langtang, Plateau State to the family of Hassan Bali Tabut and Yinkat Bali. He had his primary education at Mban, Langtang and from 1955 to 1960, attended the provincial secondary school at Kuru.

He attended Nigerian Military Training College from April to August 1961. From December 1961 to December 1963, he attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, earning his commission as a lieutenant in 1964.[2]

Career

Bali became captain a year later in 1965. In 1966, he was battery commander and during the Nigerian Civil War, he was a regimental commander. He was made major in 1968. Between 1970 and 1971, Bali was commander, Corps of Artillery and later became a colonel at the Second Infantry Division in Ibadan. In 1973, he was posted to Akure as the commander of the 9th Infantry Brigade, he was adjutant general Nigerian army in 1975, commander Corps of Artillery in 1976 and in 1978, he was the GOC of the First Infantry Division, Kaduna. Prior to becoming Defense Minister in 1984, he was Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College from 1981 to 1983[3] and later director of army training and operations.

He resigned from public service in January 1990.[4][5] He was the Chairman of HFP Engineering, builders of Victoria Garden City, Lagos Nigeria.

In December, 2010, he was selected by the Tarok kingmakers headed by the Madakin Langtang, HRH Daniel Lamda Bongtur to Succeed the Lt. Hrm. Edward Cirdap Zhattau(oon.) As the Ponzhi Tarok, the paramount ruler of the Tarok people of plateau state. He was married to Esther Bali an educationist and they have two children, Nanna and Ponfa.

Death

Bali died on December 4, 2020.[6]

References
  1. Abiola, Rahaman. "Domkat Bali: Ex-defence minister dies at 80, Buhari mourns". Legit NG. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  2. Armed Forces Ruling Council (Nigeria). Profiles of Members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council. Federal Ministry of Information & Culture, 1992. p. 13.
  3. "Past Commandants". Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. AP. "Nigerian Military Chief Postpones Visit to U.S." New York Times. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. "Domkat Bali, the General who broke taboo in Nigeria's military". PM News Nigeria. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  6. Ibrahim, El-ameen. "Former Defence Minister Domkat Bali dies at 80". Premium Times. Retrieved 29 January 2021.


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