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.

GOV. LALONG DELIVERS 11TH AREWA LECTURE, CANVASSES FOR REDUCTION IN COST OF GOVERNANCE TO FUND DEVELOPMENT

 

Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong says all tiers of Government in Nigeria must as a matter of urgency cut down on the high cost of Governance in order to fund critical areas of development that will address challenges of Nigerians. 

 Governor Lalong said this while delivering the 11th Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of late Sir Ahmadu Bello at the Arewa House, Kaduna. 

 Governor Lalong whose lecture was entitled "Reducing the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Post COVID-19 Northern Nigeria" said the high cost of governance has further increased the inability of the governments at all levels to meet the basic needs of the people. 

 He said factors such as corruption, insecurity, large number of Government appointees, high salaries, corruption, among others are among some of the factors that drive the high cost of governance in the country. He insisted that this must be addressed immediately to change the trajectory of growth in Nigeria and the North in particular. 

 Lalong said the high cost of governance has worsened the standard of living in the Northern part of the country which continues to battle with infrastructure deficit, poverty, illiteracy, culture of patronage laziness, diseases and insecurity. 

 He said the Northern Governors Forum has seriously examined the economic situation in the region and is working in unison to address the high cost of governance and other obstacles to development. 

 Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari who represented President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government has continued to implement various cut-cutting measures to reduce the cost of governance and free resources for development. 

 He said so far, the results are positive and the Federal Government will work with State Governments including those of the Northern region in adopting measure that will reduce huge spending and wastages so that funds will be available for development. 

 Chairman of the occassion, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said the discourse is timely as the nation needs to prioritise its spending and get more resources towards addressing the problems of the common man.

 The Lecture was attended by many dignitaries from across the country as well as Governors from the northern region. 

 Awards were bestowed on six former Governors of the Northern region who served meritoriouly and founded the Arewa House. Among them is former Governor of Benue Plateau State, late Joseph Gomwalk.

 Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

27th March 2021.

 

PLASU CONGRATULATES GOV LALONG ON PPA’S AWARD ...COMMENDS HIM FOR STERLING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES & PEACE BUILDING

 

The Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, Professor Yohana Daniel Izam, has congratulated Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, on the recent award presented to him by the Plateau Publishers Association (PPA), for his sterling leadership in restoring and consolidating peace on the Plateau.

In a statement signed by PLASU Public Relation Officer, John Agam, and made available to the Media, Professor Izam said the award is well deserved and a mark of recognition to the Governor's  doggedness and steadfastness which will further spur  him into putting in his utmost best in further returning the State to its lost glory as exemplified by the projects he spread across the length and breadth of the state in addition to his initiative of consolidating on the gains of his administration by widening his scope of project implementation.

The Vice Chancellor added that the bold initiative of Governor Lalong in lobbying the Federal Government to reconstruct the burnt down Jos Main Market, reactivation of the moribund Jos International Breweries, BARC Farms and reconstitution of government boards and agencies including that of Plateau State University, Bokkos are worthy of recommendation. According to him the giant strides stands him out as a colossus and one who sees the whole of Plateau as his constituency.

He further prayed for God’s continuous guidance, protection and good health on the Governor as he traverses the length and breadth of Nigeria, particularly the North in search for lasting and enduring peace which stimulate meaningful development through the revitalization of public projects like Northern Nigeria Development Company and Bank of the North among others.

SENATOR DIMKA ON THRESHOLD OF PLATEAU MOUNTAINS

 

Since his inauguration as the Senator Representing Plateau Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly the positive impact of Hezakiah Dimka is undeniable been felt not only in the central zone but the state atlarge.

Working with the conventional calendar, two years might be seeming as too long for the provision of dividend of democracy to be felt, to some it is a mark of failure therefore, changes must be made regardless of whatever the situations. All of these are right in their own ways, but as in all life situations what matters most is not the beginning but the ending.

True to type, to some Senator Hezekiah might be slow at the beginning, but that should not in any way be seen as a mark of flaw or letdown because in every life accomplishment most of the actions carried out hastily never stand the test of time, therefore, it is pertinent for any right thinking person to appropriately set exceptional strategies in motion through appropriate planning.

If you failed to plan, then you have failed already and the ending will always be catastrophic; just as a vehicle a changes gears at the start with slow motion and gradually picking up speed so does any good planning and strategies.

Two years at the Senate Chamber was a period of strategizing and planning, Hezekiah Dimka larger than life image as well as his legendry simple and unassuming personality had greatly endeared him to the heart of people that had come in close contact with him.

No sooner had Senator Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka was inaugurated on the 11th June, 2019 into the red chamber to represent the cherish people of the Plateau Central Senatorial District that he embarked on vigorous appraisal of situation on ground with the aim at providing purposeful representation guided with the philosophy of peace, unity and love anchor on the moral obligation that he will never let tribalism, religion nepotism, ethnic biasness or political witch-hunt get in the way of representation.

His scorecards at the senate as seen to the bill for the establishment of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Kanam, Bill for the upgrade of NDLEA Training Institute, Jos, advocacy and sensitization on Narcotic Drugs and rehabilitation programme, empowerment programme for 150 Youths and Women across the constituency, rural electrification project and solar power project in the senatorial district, employment of youths into federal establishments, this is just to mention a few as over 600 beneficiaries of Federal Government Survival Fund courtesy distinguished Senator Dimka receives their N30,000 grant across the five LGAS of Plateau Central with the assurance that the beneficiaries of the other categories of the Survival Fund would be verified soon and payment effected on time.

The social media propaganda against Senator Hezakiah Dimka is an exercise in futility and has failed woefully because his has proven his mettle at the upper Chamber.

His uncommon spirit of undiluted patriotism for his fatherland, coupled with his abundant philanthropic endeavors’ particularly in his home state, whom he loved dearly and so passionately, are indeed eloquent demonstrations of Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka great and enduring legacies and no political or media conspiracy would take that from him.

We thank the lord each day for the gift of a noble comrade like Engr. Solomon Suwa Walbe.In him we see a sense of belonging for the people,in him we see brave minds work today,in him we see brotherliness and patriotism in display,in him we see and feel a new reality,in him we see a unique man who shares and feel our pains,in him also we see our aspirations and yearnings being met.This is real,join the train lets better our future together...

NTDC TO PARTNER PLATEAU STATE ON TOURISM

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mr. Folorunsho Coker has assured the Plateau State Government that his agency will work with the State in harnessing the abundant tourist potentials in the State.

Mr. Coker was speaking when he visited Governor Simon Lalong at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.

He said, Plateau State known as the Home of Peace and Tourism has both the natural and human advantage in terms of tourism and hospitality. All that is needed according to him are proactive and firm initiatives to tap into the endowments.

He praised Governor Simon Lalong for restoring peace in Plateau State which has again restored confidence in the citizens as well as reassured investors, tourist and other visitors to return to Plateau State for business and leisure. 

Coker announced that the NTDC will carry out its intervention in one of the tourist sites in Plateau State, the Kurra Falls as it has made provisions in its 2021 budget. He also promised to ensure that Plateau State is rebranded and marketed on the national and international tourism platforms and calendars so as to reinforce and repackage the natural gifts of weather, people and alluring sites.

Governor Lalong while welcoming the DG NTDC and members of his entourage to Plateau State, said the State has continued to work towards developing its tourism assets which are key to the economic blueprint of the State.

He appreciated the gesture of the NTDC in developing Kurra Falls, one of its oldest and famous tourist sites, saying the Government has put a lot of emphasis in developing tourism as a major source of revenue.

He said the choice of Kurra Falls is very timely considering the recent visit of HYPADEC to the State where they are also going to intervene in various areas around the communities of the Falls which is the first place where hydropower was generated in Nigeria.

Lalong assured the NTDC Management that his doors were open for further collaboration in many areas that will assist in bringing more people to the various tourist attractions across Plateau State.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

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

24th March 2021