EASTER: GOVERNOR LALONG CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST INSECURITY AND DISUNITY.

 Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong and Chairman of the Northern State’s Governors Forum has rejoiced with Christians in Plateau State and across the Nigeria for marking another Easter.

 Governor Lalong in a message of felicitation said there is every reason for Nigerians to appreciate God for his mercies over the nation throughout the difficult period of lockdowns and other disruptions occasioned by the corona virus pandemic.

 He said the period of Easter calls for deeper reflection on the grace of God and the strengthening of faith in his love for mankind which is the essence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 The Governor therefore urged Nigerians to put aside differences of faith, ethnicity, political and ethnic affiliations in order to forge a common front in defeating various forms of criminal activities that continue to pose serious threats to the nation.

 He said it is only when Nigerians work together in unity and support security agencies and relevant government bodies that insecurity can be overcome to enable the people pursue their lawful businesses in peace.

 On Covid-19, Governor Lalong urged the people of Plateau State to work assiduously towards overcoming the pandemic by availing themselves to be vaccinated and also observing all laid down protocols.

 He said “last year, we marked Easter under a lockdown because of COVID-19. However, we now have some relief with the availability of vaccines and more awareness on prevention. We need to redouble our efforts in making sure that we participate in the vaccination exercise and also sensitise our people to adjust to living under the new normal”.

 While wishing the people of Plateau State and Nigeria a successful Easter celebration, Governor Lalong called on Christians to continue to demonstrate the love of God to one another and people of other faiths and let the light of God manifest in all their activities in order to drive the desired change in the nation.

 Dr. Makut Simon Macham

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

2nd April 2021.

BISHOP DAVID AJANG: An Epitome of Catholism in Izereland!

 Atang Izang

Fate and ambition have been man’s greatest companions; whether as his assets or Waterloo. Fate, we are told, can conspire by calling other oddities to action and throw spanner in the work of humans and shatter it. Ambition, according to the sages, is useful when properly handled but destructive when not properly handled.

Rev. Fr. David Ajang, the newly installed Bishop of Lafia Diocese, comes to mind. He may have had an ambition when he chose the life of celibacy over the conventional one but to think of becoming a higher ranking Catholic priest, that in itself was left to fate to decide and it has been decided.

The Catholic faith and church may have been late arrival in Izereland compare to other denominations. According to church history as regarding Christianity in Izereland, the Church was introduced around 1945 in Jos Jarawa, which is the heartland of the Izere nation by one Irish Rev. Fr. Frances Hughes.

After 76 years the Catholic Church has many adherants of Izere extraction and many of them both males and females have excel well in the church's hierarchy and rankings, i.e., from being Catchists and other layleaders to Rev. Father's/Sisters.

However, with the installation of Rev. Father Ajang to the rank of a Bishop, makes him the first Afizere Catholic priest to attain such a ranking and office in the Church. This of course, calls for celebrations whether you're a Catholic or not so long as you are an Afizere.

With his elevation to the office of a Bishop, it is hope this will signal the beginning for many of our Afizere priests to aspire through hard work and dedication to attain such a rank. It should not only be in the Catholic Church but in other Christian denominations.

For Bishop David Ajang, this should just be the beginning of his Ecclesiastical journey to the summit of the Catholic Church's hierarchy. Who knows may be he will be come a cardinal and perhaps a pontiff?

Monsignor David Ajang was born 31 March 1970 in Zaria, Zaria Diocese.

His journey to priesthood began immediately after his primary and secondary education as he entered St John Vianney Minor Seminary in Barkin Ladi (1982-1987). As a seminarian of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos, he carried out his studies in philosophy at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi (1987-1990), and in theology at the St Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos (1990-1994).

Ajang was found worthy of ordination as priest on 3rd December 1994 and incardinated in the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos. He was subsequently awarded a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urban University of Rome (2002-2004) and doctorate from the University of Jos.

After a priestly ordination he held the following offices:

a) Parish vicar of St James in Gombe (1994-1995)

b) Parish priest of St Mulumbain Nassarawa Eggon

c) Vocational Director of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos

d) Parish vicar of St Theresa's in Jos (1998-1999)

e) Parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Zaramaganda and Youth Chaplain of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos (1999-2001)

f) Administrator of the Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral Jos (2001-2002), and,

g) Formator at St Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos (2004-2012)

h) Parish priest of the Ugandan Marty's Parish and Dean in Kuru.

Since 2012 he has served as member of the College of Consultors of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos; since 2015, Chaplain of the governor of Plateau State and since 2018, Parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish and Dean of Zaramaganda.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES CHAPLAIN, GOVERNMENT HOUSE RT. REV. MSGR. DAVID AJANG OVER HIS APPOINTMENT AS BISHOP-ELECT OF LAFIA.

 Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has received with delight the appointment of the Chaplain, Government House Chapel, Rt. Rev Msgr. David Ajang as Bishop-elect, Catholic Diocese of Lafia by the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Governor Lalong said he is excited about the news because of the suitability of Fr. Ajang to carry out the assignment. He said apart from working closely with Fr. Ajang as Chaplain of the Government House, he has followed closely his exploits as a member of the College of Consultors of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jos, and Pastor of the Immaculate Conception and Dean of Zarmaganda in Jos.

Governor Lalong said he has no doubt that the newly appointed Bishop-elect will take the Catholic Diocese of Lafia to greater heights as he shepherds the faithful and leads them in the path of righteousness, truth and love.

While thanking Fr. David Ajang for his prayers, counsel and spiritual guidance over the years, Governor Lalong said the new Bishop-elect of Lafia will be remembered for his role in the restoration of peace and prosperity to Plateau State under the Rescue Administration.

He assured him of the prayers and support of the people and Government of Plateau State in his new assignment, promising to stand by him at all times.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

1st April 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG MOURNS FIRST CLASS TRADITIONAL RULER, UJAH OF ANAGUTA

 Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described as a big loss the death of the first class ruler, the Ujah of Anaguta Chiefdom.

 Governor Lalong said the death of the Royal Father is a great loss not only to his immediate family and people of Anaguta Chiefdom, but to the entire State and Nigeria.

 He described the deceased royal father as a peacemaker and unifier who did everything possible to support the peace initiatives that led to the restoration of harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic and religious groups in Jos North.

 He said since his coronation, the Member of of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs has left no stone unturned to assist Government in implementing its agenda on reconciliation and healing which has provided the right atmosphere for dialogue, interface and sustained conversion for peace.

 Lalong also appreciated the late Ujah of Anaguta for facilitating the creation of jobs and skills acquisition for the youths in his domain as well as collaborated with security agencies to adress criminal activities in the Chiefdom and the entire State.

 While praying God to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family as well as the entire Anaguta nation, Lalong said his legacies of peace, tolerance and economic development will continue to be remembered.

 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

1st April 2021.