22/02/2026
GBAGYI ICONS NIGERIA
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ถ (๐ญ๐ต๐ฏ๐ฌโ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฏ)
From the quiet hills of Gbagyi land to the chambers of Nigeriaโs Senate, Late Senator Thomas Yepwi remains one of our proudest sons.
Born on May 21, 1930, into the family of Rev. Idako Yepwi, one of the earliest Christian converts in Gbagyi land, Thomas Yepwi grew up in a home shaped by faith, books, translation, and printing. That early exposure to education and communication laid the foundation for a remarkable journey.
He became the first indigene from Gbagyi land to travel abroad for advanced studies, training in printing and publishing in the United Kingdom. Upon returning home, he established Salama Printing Press in 1972 and other media ventures, contributing significantly to literacy, information dissemination, and community development.
In 1979, he was elected Senator representing Keffi/Nasarawa under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during Nigeriaโs Second Republic. In the Senate, he championed education, rural development, and national unity. His advocacy contributed to the eventual establishment of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, an enduring legacy of his belief in technical and vocational education.
Fondly called โBaba Salamaโ and โEnglish Man,โ he was known for his eloquence, discipline, and unwavering commitment to public service.
Senator Thomas Yepwi passed on November 11, 2003, but his legacy continues through the institutions he helped shape and through generations inspired by his courage and vision.
Gbagyi land remembers.
Nigeria remembers.
