PLATEAU STATE SECURITY EXCO HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING OVER ATTACKS IN MANGU

The Plateau State Security Council has held an emergency meeting to review and assess the recent attacks in various villages in Mangu Local Government which left many dead, property destroyed and others injured.

The Security Meeting which was held at the Government House Rayfield Jos was chaired by Governor Simon Bako Lalong. 

Governor Lalong while briefing newsmen after the meeting said the council reviewed the situation and resolved that all suspects arrested for allegedly carrying out the attack must be immediately prosecuted transparently and openly to send a strong message to the public that no criminal conduct will go unpunished. 

He said the council condemned the dastardly act and remains committed to sustaining the search for other fleeing perpetrators who must be arrested and dealt with swiftly.

The Governor also stated that the Security Council mandated the security agencies to sustain the presence of their personnel on the ground to rebuild confidence and halt any further affront on innocent citizens. 

Lalong also disclosed that Government will immediately step in to address the plight of displaced persons in the area and work towards restoring normalcy. 

The Governor also announced the plans to step up engagement both at local and State levels which will lead to the setting up of an Engagement Committee to douse the tension generated by the unfortunate incident. 

The council also appealed to citizens to increase vigilance and avoid any action that can lead to escalation of the situation. He assured that Government will not fold its arms to see its citizens being maimed and killed by criminals for no reason.

It would be recalled that the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, and security Chiefs in the State visited the affected areas on Wednesday. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

19th May 2023.

SIMON BAKO LALONG @ 60: FINISHING STRONG

By Makut Simon Macham, PhD. 

The Holy Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 8 says “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride” (New Living Translation). This verse does not only convey divine truth that has stood the test of time, but aptly captures the life trajectory of Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum who turns 60 on 5th May 2023. Incidentally, his 60th birthday is coming as he prepares to handover to the next Governor of Plateau State at the end of his 8 year tenure.  

For the man Simon Bako Lalong, fate, fortune and the grace of God are visible all over him having come from an obscure background from his little-known village of Ajikamai, Nyak, in Shendam Local Government of Plateau State. His story is one of grass to grace built on virtues of humility, love, service, tolerance, broad-mindedness and teamwork which have guided him all through life.

Trained as a lawyer, Lalong started his political journey through youth activism within the socio-cultural organisation of the Gamai people, Gamai Youth Movement as well as the Plateau Youth Council which threw some spotlight on him that later blossom and took him to limelight which he enjoys today.

Right from his childhood, Lalong had the innate feeling that he was called to serve and needed to develop himself particularly through education that will give him the capacity to stand among the high and low and effectively add value to humanity. His passion was to become a lawyer. This perhaps explains why despite so many opportunities for a career in football up to the national stage, he chose rather to pursue academics and fulfill his dream of wearing the wig and gown.

Although he had an offer to be a civil servant at the FCDA Abuja after his youth service, he declined and chose to practice his most cherished ambition of law. This brought him back to Jos where he began practice and later delved into politics.

From his election into the Plateau House of Assembly to represent Shendam Constituency in 1999, Lalong jettisoned his early childhood values that were engraved in his heart by his family and the Catholic Church. Those who know him testify of his loyalty, love, respect, humility and compassion which have grown over the years and opened doors for him across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the world at large.

Many recall his sojourn as the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly and his travails over refusal to superintend over the illegal impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye. Because he would not subvert the constitution and tore the path of impunity, dictatorship and criminality, he spent 40 days and 40 nights in EFCC detention. His loyalty to the constitution, the people of Plateau State and Governor Dariye whom he felt should have fair hearing as provided by law was tested and he passed.

This singular act cost him so much and threw him in the cold as his seat was vacated even after he won the election for his recall which was induced by the powers that be in collaboration with Federal Might. However, his good heart and his principled stance to do the right thing coupled with his contentment, trust in God, and love for others was to restore him to limelight again in 2015 when the people of Plateau State remembered his good works as Speaker and chose him to become Governor.

On coming into office, he inherited a myriad of challenges which included insecurity, a despondent and demoralized civil service, uncompleted and abandoned projects, lack of inclusivity in governance, as well as a State that was in dire need of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. He did not waste time in bringing the people of Plateau State together and addressing the challenges.

He immediately paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy and cleared inherited salary arrears of 8 months from the past administration. The same story applied to pension arrears of about 10 months which he equally cleared. This earned him the nickname “Governor Alert” bestowed upon by the civil servants.

Rather than embark on ego trip of commencing new projects while the State littered with abandoned projects, Lalong chose to complete those inherited even though from a government of PDP. These include the Mararaban Jama’a road which was just about one lane done as well as the Secretariat Junction flyover; old-airport to Rayfield; Rayfield to Bukuru etc. Same applied to abandoned general hospitals such as Riyom, Langtang South, Kanke which he completed. Sadly, this was to be used against him by his opponents who despite enjoying these infrastructures claimed he never did a “single” project in 8 years - a propagandist lie that unfortunately sank into the gullible.

But Simon Lalong whose heart is like that of a child refused to be intimidated or harassed by frivolities and kept carrying out inherited and new projects. Today, the brand new British American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction Roundabout has been completed and will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari soon. Same goes for the High Court Complex Headquarters, the Multi-door Courthouse and ADR Centre; NUJ Secretariat, Kalong-Angwan Dadi bridge (longest in Plateau); Shendam bye-pass and internal roads; of Longvel-Yelwa-Mato Junction-Taraba border road among; Legacy projects among others across the State.

When you talk about peace and security, Lalong gave it his best shot by not only dressing the surface, but going down to the root to tackle the causes. His style has been to remove fear and mutual suspicion from the hearts of citizens who had enjoyed peaceful coexistence for decades until crises merchants succeeded in dividing them along ethno-religious lines. While he strengthened the instrument of law enforcement to deal with criminals, he also came up with the Peace Building Agency which is the first of its kind in the country and backed by law. He ensured that crucial laws were enacted and signed such as the Anti-Land Grabbing and Anti-Kidnapping and Violence against persons. 

Although there is no absolute security yet, citizens of Plateau State, Nigerians and members of the international community who earlier felt unsafe in Plateau have confessed that Lalong scored a goal in security and peace with abundant evidence to show. Nightlife is back to Jos while “no-go-areas” have drastically faded. Public and privates institutions across Nigeria have once more made Plateau State their conference and events capital as they jostle to host one national conference or the other. Hotel and hospitality businesses are booming while many investors who earlier left Plateau have returned. Even property owners have enjoyed a boom under Lalong as Plateau is once more the true Home of Peace and Tourism.

The footprints of Governor Lalong on the Plateau are very visible across all sectors and all Local Governments of the State. Whether it is the education sectors where he took over a moribund Plateau State University Bokkos and turned it into a 7-Faculty institution with 7 convocations in its kitty and a PG School; or the revamping of the Plateau Specialists Hospital with the acquisition of Ultra-modern medical equipment such as Superstar MRI Machine, 64 slices CT Scanner, 4D-Ultrasound Scanner and Digital X-Ray Machine among others; or the deepening of systems for transparency, accountability and good governance in the State which has earned the State national and international recognition, the man Lalong is leaving large footprints in the political landscape of Plateau, albeit quietly as the silent achiever he is.

While some could have disagreed with him over some of his policies and actions, Lalong has never claimed to be a saint or infallible. Indeed those who know him testify that he is one of the meekest persons on the face of the earth who is not afraid to admit any shortcoming just as he can stick to his convictions even when everyone disagrees with him.

His 60th birthday which comes just weeks before he bows out as Governor makes it a day to pause and thank God for sending someone with his temperament, capacity, intellect, humility, courage and love to the people of Plateau and Nigeria at times such as this. Having done his best to serve and with the best intentions, he is eager to go and have some deserved rest and also spend some quality time with his family.

But whether this will be a reality for him is in doubt because having produced the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, many expect that he will again play a prominent role in actualizing the Renewed Hope Mandate of Tinubu/Shettima. Also, Lalong who was the leader of the Northern Governors who insisted that power should go back to the south in the interest of fairness and justice remains a strong figure in the ruling APC.

If history is anything to go by, Lalong who is not known to lobby for positions will once again have his past records speaking for him just as they did when he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, a position he has used to further demonstrate his capacity on the national stage and also ensure that Plateau remains in national relevance rather than obscurity.

The prayer for this man of peace and love is that God will continue to order his steps and give him more opportunities and make his paths shine brighter to serve humanity which has been his ambition from childhood. As this chapter of his life closes, there is no doubt that God is opening a new phase for him to once again demonstrate that love is the greatest according to Matthew 22: 37-40 which happens to be one of his most favourite scriptures in the Holy Bible.

Happy 60th birthday Your Excellency!

 

Makut Simon Macham, PhD, mnipr, is the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

 

    

  

 

 

 

 

CRAVING GLOBAL PEACE: AN EXPOSITION

Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, April 27, 2023; loisayuba420@gmail.com; 08116181263)

Peace is the most priceless virtue known to man. The Hausa adage, 'Zaman lafiya ya fi Zaman dan tsarki' which literally translates: To be at peace is worth more than being a king's son says it all. When peace eludes a man, community or nation, there is big trouble because nothing works normally under chaotic atmosphere.

Peace is a fluid concept. While some perceived it as an internal construction; others perceived peace as an external construction. Whichever standpoint one takes, peace is an ideal and a state of mind that is, relatively, at rest from life's contradictions which might be internal or external. In other words, peace is an ideal that is constructed upon the theory of relativity because there is nothing absolute about it.

A classical demonstration of the relativity of peace is rooted in the idea that 'peace is not the absence of war'. Hear exactly what  Mata Amritanandamayi has to say: 'Peace is not just the absence of war' and conflict but must be fostered within individual, within family and within society. Simply transferring the world's nuclear weapons to mesuem will not in itself bring about world peace. The nuclear weapon of the Mind must be eliminated.' This suggest that peace is mindset that is achievable through personal unpacking of one's negative thoughts to allow for the cultivation of faith and patience within a challenging world.

Peace is the single most important ambition in life. It is part of this ambition that the scripture in Psalm 34:14-15 (KJV) commands and cautions people everywhere in the world as follows: "Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." These are profound cautionary words of command given that crises, are practically unsettling experiences in life that can be settled through righteous actions and prayers to God.

It is unfortunate that despite the clear and definite instruction for men to pursue peace; the world is in a severe state of jeopardy because men have glaringly chosen to violate the onerous instruction of God. In the pursuit of evil schemes or dessires, people have failed to realise that the solution to world's greatest contradictions cannot be found in any 'theory, philosophy, religion or political agenda, but in a person, a totally unique Person' as expressed by Robert and Janet Dann's praise on the book, 'Storms of the Mind: Freedom is a Choice' which was written by Pusonnam Yiri and published in 2015.

The 'totally unique Person' referred to, in that masterpiece is Jesus Christ whom Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) wrote these prophetic lines about his birth: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." In other words, peace is in Christ alone. This implies that when men take their eyes off Jesus Christ, troubles overan them!

The causes of conflicts and strife in human societies or nations, also, are summarily and categorically stated in the scriptures. The gospel according to James 1:4 (NLT), for instance, probes: 'What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?" Certainly, yes! Whenever or where ever there is conflict, check the  morality or quality of the desires of its dwelling members. It will be found that some or all of the members are needlessly and irrationally selfish, bias and or corrupt. It is the constructive deconstruction of these triggers that allow for real and sustained peace in any society or nation.

Individuals, families, business organisations and/or nations desire peace but crises in the world are leading people into frustration (Yiri, 2015). The missing link when it comes to the issues of peace and conflict management, especially, in developing countries like Nigeria is that, there is always desiring but no conscious pursuing of peace. The mechanisms for resolving crises or conflict in these climes are lacking in basic ingredients for efficiency and effectiveness.

The attainment of peace is an action packed process which starts with a desire for it. This desire is further backed with deliberate will to pursue peace and, finally, with all men. In other words, peace is achievable through tripate but interdependent functions of desire, will and inclusiveness. Lasting or sustained peace is an action induced desire that does not discriminate. It is a networking enterprise that is sustained by genuine love for self and others as well!

It is germane to not that threat to peace anywhere is threat to peace anywhere. Nobody boasts of peace when his neighbourhood or neighbours are at war. This means that genuine peace or practical war have bumerang effects on man's ecosystem. Every individual action has corporate implications in a world that has been reduced into a global village.

There is no peace in individualism and exclusivity. When people feel marginalised and excused in a family, community or nation, the tendency is to take on destructive measures that all may lose or for the disadvantaged to gain access. If it is ours, then we can protect it together; if I am not involved, then you do not have to present to me about it; if it is ours together but you want to shortchange me, then there shall be no peace in this house. This is the monologue  and mindset that characterised the marginalised.

There is no peace in competition but collaboration. Competition breed envy and hatred but collaboration promotes understanding and teamwork. The only caveat is that we don't collaborate or partner in crime or compete perpetrating crime. The only health competition that is allowed is one that is centred on selfless value addition.  

There is no peace in social inequality. In Karl Marx's dialectics, all social upheavals stem from class struggle between the rich and the poor. The more a society becomes less stratified or less unequal, the more the chances for peace and tranquility.

There are no peace in poverty. A society or nation whose membership lives in abject poverty is seating on a time bomb. A hungry man, is an angry man, says an old proverb. Therefore, peace building initiatives should be centred around demarketing laziness, free riding, rent seeking and the institution of functional reward system for the society. A balance should be stricken between rewarding hardwork and punishing counter-productive tendencies.

There is peace in work and work in peace; there is dignity in labour and dignity in peace. When people are committed to work and the creation or adding to the value change of society, no one will have the time for conflict. Hence, the peace that comes from the laboratory hypothesis which states that obsession with laboratory activities technically translates into peace, especially why great and novel discoveries are made in the process. Show me idle people and I will show you potential crises merchant in the womb of time.

There is no peace in segregation, stereotyping and prejudices. In the spirit of justice do not label any member of the society; give every one the opportunity to defend himself even when suspected. Do not act blindly but ask questions to be sure. Mark Twain's analogy of the ants drive home the message better.

According to Twain, 'if you collect a 100 black ants and 100 fire ants and put them in a jar, nothing will happen but if you take the jar, shake it violently and keep it on a table, the ant will start killing each other. Red believes the black is the enemy; black believes red is the enemy while the real enemy is the person who shook the jar.' He concluded that same is true of society: Men versus women, black versus white, faith versus science, young versus old, etc. Before we fight each other, we must ask ourselves, who shook the jar?'. This is a profound analogy in costly assumptions and the need to exercise restraint and always ask questions. Doing so will spare innocent persons who would become victims without questions.

To say the least, the world is troubled from every side but not without salient causes which might be remote or immediate. Terrorism and insurgency do not happen;  banditry saparatists movements do not occur; poverty or diseases that are ravaging developing countries like Nigeria do not manifest; drug abuse and criminality do not just happen; climate change and environmental pollution do not just occur; corruption and political thuggery do not just happen; the ongoing clash of civilisation or moral war on social media do not emerge; earthquakes and environmental degradations which individually cause pains or crises of mass destruction in parts of the world often have causes that are mainly linked to tendencies of twisted minds and the remedy is to reset or renew the mindsets of men through godly instruction.

The world should learn from the recent miship in Sudan, Ukraine-Russia on the one hand and Nigerian Civil war, Rwandan genocide, Nazism in Germany on the other. Amongst other dehumanising conflicts, the world had bad times with World War I, World War II as well as the contradictions Liberia, Sierra Leone,  Democratic Republic of Congo; Kenya, etc. The casualty figures, physical and psychological effects these unsettling and hostile circumstances brought upon the world can only be imagine. Peace we need but war, never. Never again shall innocent men and women be consumed by terror of war(s)!

   

Now, I can see clearly why the present Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) emphasise on issues of equity, inclusion and ustainability. Any peace that is built on the foundation of trinity shall stand otherwise doomed. With creative inclusiveness; patriotic equity and the commitment to sustain love and unity of purpose, the world shall be a paradise for all.

When good is done, it is not only the end users that benefit but even those that make it happen. When evil is perpetrated, it is not only the victims that suffer but the perpetrators because the evil that men do lives after them. We are either culprits or victims of the contradictions facing the world today. Can we give peace a chance? Yes, we should!

PASSION FOR PASSION AT EASTER

 PASSION FOR PASSION AT EASTER

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, April 8, 2023; SMS: 08116181263)

Passion is someone's practical drive or motivation toward achieving something worthy. It is a mix of interest & determination in the process of getting a cause reached!

It is so critical in the world of dreams and works. David Jeremiah's book, "Life Wide Open" which was published in 2003 profoundly chronicles how important passion is through the following statements:

i. Without a purpose fueled by passion, nothing in life matters.

ii. Passion is the inner spark, provided by God, that ignites you to live out your God-given purpose.

iii. I can think of nothing worthwhile in life that was achieved without great passion.

iv. A purpose not fueled by inner drive and enthusiasm is mere drudgery. In other words, passion is purpose and the purpose is passion.

Socrates once wrote that a man who has no passion for anything is not worth living. This means that passion is proof of someone's living. 

Anyone who is lacking in passion only exists and cannot add to the value chain of the society in which he found himself. One is as good as dead when he is bereft of inner drive for something.

Lack of passion is an advanced form of laziness. Laziness is sheer indifference or an unyielding attitude toward work. 

A lazy man fears that work kills and, therefore, submits to the conditions that kill even faster: rent-seeking, dependency, and poverty. These are existential problems that are demeaning in all ramifications even if one survives them!

Passion is what will is, to a man. It is what a wheel is to any locomotive or fuel to automobiles. This shows that passion is necessary for things to move or get done.

Passion is the Revealer of interest. The expression of it tells a lot about what one really cares about. Like a punctured tire, passion goes flat when interest is lost.

Passion is a silent energiser. When situations get tough, only passion can keep someone going. Where there is no passion, even easy tasks are abandoned with no regrets.

It is important to note that nothing good comes easy. Anonymous puts it thus: 'Life doesn't get easy, you just get stronger'. And you know what? Only passion can guarantee one becoming stronger or even strongest!

Passion is an overcoming spirit. It greases the wheel of one's determination to realise a dream. Therefore, to be passionate about something means to go all out for it. It is an insurance for patience and diligence in workplace!

Passion is what love is to a man. It is as strong as death. When it comes, laws and logic are suspended. It gets someone waking up daily to pursue a cause without asking many questions. 

The worth of passion is in its ability to get good things done. This entails that passion is worthless when deployed to crush or destroy someone or anything.

Passion is insistence personified. Like a river, nothing can block its way. Passion will always negotiate its way through and get to its destination with time.

Passion is involved when glass ceilings are shattered and new standards set in the world of work. Show me a man who has achieved any great feat and I will show you a man with passion.

It takes great passion to produce that great engineer you read about in the news. It is passion that is behind that great scientist that discovers the law of motion. Passion makes great sportsmen, women and business moguls. It is the rudder that changes the course of history.

With passion, comes obsession; and with obsession comes unique skills that comes from doing something constantly.

If you have passion for something worthwhile, be it school, business, professional career, etc., pursue it. There is no better charge than this!

This piece: Passion for Passion at Easter, is primarily and summarily all about eulogising the undiluted good news of the Love of God which requires all partakers of the grace of God to passionately uphold and share. 

In Psalm 107: 2 (NIV), the scriptures says: Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that he has redeemed them from the hand of the for (the Devil). It is a passionate call to duty but a command too: 

''Go tell it on the mountain 

Over the hills and everywhere 

Go tell it on the mountain'' (about the salvation of Jesus Christ). "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations..." (Mathew 28:19). There is a literally easthetic reward: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' (Isaiah 52:7).

Remember the passion week of Jesus Christ? He gallantly went through the agony of the cross for the sake of passion-cum-love for the redemption of man kind. He went through it all for your sake and my sake too. He has paid it all! It is finished! But the task of publishing the good news has just begun! Happy Easter celebration to christians all over the world!

PLATEAU SON AWARDED HIGHEST GRADE MEMBERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATORS

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria has conferred a Distinguished Fellowship Award to a Plateau son,Farmson Sunday Choji for his numerous expertise contribution to the transport industry in Nigeria.

Farmson Choji who is the Permanent Secretary of The Ministry of Transport,Plateau State,received the highest level ranking of the administrators of the sector at its 2023 First Quarter Induction and Investiture which took place in Lagos State.

Registrar and Secretary of the council,Rasheed Aiyelebegan in a word said Farmson  deserved the highest grade of membership which is only reserved for accomplished professionals in the transport sector who have rendered special or outstanding service to the institute or industry at large.

He charged the recipient to among other initiatives continue to breed more professionals who will add to the development of the industry in more areas of presence.

Responding after being bestowed this highest level of recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria,Farmson Sunday Choji dedicated the feat to God Almighty,The Plateau State Government as well as Management and Staff of the Plateau State Ministry of Transport whom he has worked directly with as well as received support from all and sundry hence bringing him to where he is today.

He assured that as Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Transport in Plateau State he will continue to make sure expertise attention is given to that critical sector to ensure it functions optimally and according to standard procedures.

GOVERNOR LALONG BIDS FAREWELL TO INTENDING CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS; URGES THEM TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has asked intending Christian Pilgrims to the Holy Land to devote time in praying for the peace and progress of the State and the nation at large as they prepare for the spiritual exercise. 

The Governor was speaking at a farewell ceremony for intending pilgrims from Plateau State to the Holy Land held at the Government House Chapel Rayfield Jos. 

Lalong said Christian Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an exercise that carries a lot of significance not only to those participating but to the Christian faith and society at large. 

Lalong said "Dear intending pilgrims, you are embarking on this spiritual exercise at a time when our nation is in dire need for prayers as we conclude the general elections. Please pray for Plateau State and Nigeria that we will have a smooth transition and also experience more stability, prosperity and happiness. You should also ask God to give our leaders and indeed all Nigerians the wisdom to unite and deal with the myriad of security and economic challenges we face today. It is very important that you present our nation before God and solemnly reflect on your role as believers towards building a better Nigeria.  Indeed, when we turn to God with a sincere heart, our land will be healed. Please pray earnestly for Plateau and Nigeria while you are there. Those who are coming into office in a few months need Gods guidance and direction".

He also reminded them that Pilgrimage is not a jamboree or an exercise for frivolity. It is a deeply spiritual exercise that connects people to the Christian faith by offering them an opportunity to see, feel and touch some of the accounts rendered in the Holy Bible. It also enables them appreciate the spirit and letter of the Word of God from historical perspective to present age.

The Governor warned that any intending pilgrim that is caught trying to abscond will be made to face the full wrath of the law as Government will not take it lightly with those who attempt to bring the name of Plateau State and Nigeria to disrepute.

Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Very Rev. Fr. George Goshi Gorap praised Governor Lalong for his consistent sponsorship of pilgrims to the Holy Land saying from 2015 to 2023, about 4,570 pilgrims and officials performed the exercise from Plateau State with many sponsorship themselves and Government supporting the officials.

He said the Board is working in harmony with the NCPC to ensure that the exercise goes smoothly. 

Chairman of the Board Rev. Koppah Shitkuum also commended Governor Lalong for not only enhancing Pilgrimage exercise in the State but also working hard to restore peace and and security in Plateau State. 

In an exhortation, Rev. Dachomo reading from 1Peter 2:11-12 urged the pilgrims to take the exercise seriously and focus on renewing their relationship with God since they are pilgrims on earth looking forward to eternal life with Christ Jesus. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

13th March 2023.

HOPE IN THE HORIZON FOR PLATEAU

(Modest Thought with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, March 13, 2023; loisayuba420@gmail.com; Sms: 07116181263)

As a plateau son, I have never felt this proud. I felt proud because I saw hope in the horizon through those who offered themselves and have been nominated as candidates in the forthcoming governorship election in the State. From the murky waters of politics comes the silver linen and pearl of hope for our dear state. Is anyone in double or at a lost as to what I meant? Please, come with me as I represent what I may prefer to call percieved or manifest hope that has uniquely visited Plateau in recent time.

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, I listened to three front line gubernatorial candidates who were guest at Rhythm 93.7 FM. It was a special political Radio programme which followed that fateful day with so much pride but practically confused too. Those who might have come face to face with how difficult it can be to make an objective (not subjective) decision from very similar options will understand my delimma shortly.

The gubernatorial candidates were Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda of the ruling APC in the state; Hon. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang of the main opposition PDP and Dr. Patrick Sunday Dakum of the LP. A computer Engineer; Legal luminary and Medical Doctor respectively. These are practically resourceful and professional gentlemen in their own rights.

It was a very rare appearance on any radio programme but the special guest all shown up and after introducing the guests, the real business of the day began with the Radio anchor, Mr. Samson Omale asks them relevant questions which, I believe, were scientifically and professionally simulated and each of the candidates began to speak.

When the first to speak, spoke, I told myself, hey, there goes the governor; then the second followed and I said, our governor is here too. Interestingly also, when the third spoke, I saw a governor in him as well. That was when my confusion really began!

As the well respected candidates responded to second, third and subsequent questions, I became even more convinced that in speech, at least, all of them are most qualified to govern Plateau State. One might be tempted to say this is the best chance for Plateau State to have any of these candidates as its governor. The only concern, however, will be whether or not they will match their rhetorics with action when elected governor.

Plateau state has got peculiar problems which require both short and long time solutions. Some of these problems, in no particular order include unproductive civil service orientation that needs to be changed towards entrepreneurship; poor state of infrastructure which needs upgrade expansion and automation; intermittent ethno-religious and violent political crises require urgent but lasting solution; poverty and unemployment which must be reversed; human capital deficiencies that mist be improved; tourism potentials that are grossly under exploited; weak and contracted Internally Generated Revenue base which must be fixed; urban congestion, dirty and disturbing environmental contradictions amongst others. Whoever scaled through as governor will have these perennial problems to contend with. This mean that the task ahead is harculean.

With the challenges outlined above hanging in the balance, it can be seen clearly that leadership is not luxury. It's huge burden and practically about selfless service which can be personally unsettling to any serious minded leader. Whoever must fix the problems of Plateau State should be pitied because they are not casual but existential threats which require unusual courage, strategic and deliberate actions to fix. Those who know the length and breath of responsibilities involve in leadership often foot-drag until they are persuaded with cogent reasons to offer themselves!

The political leader Plateau State need at the critical moment must be a visionary, charismatic, pragmatic and courageous person with sound political will to minimise our threats and drive the process of realising our great potentials as a people through appropriate policy frameworks and laws. It has to be a leader that rewards excellence and hardwork on the one hand and punishes indolence and crime in a most decisive manner!

Because our challenges are multifaceted and daringly evolving, they must be compositely diagnosed and frontally confronted strategic efforts with the view to fix them with determined energy and attention. Since we live in the 21st century, we must explore 21st methods and solutions which are characteristically digital and automation compliant.

The leader (governor) must harness the experiences of past leaders of the state. This is with the view to avoid boop traps  that limited performances while consolidating on their most cheering legacies toward making the state a better one.

I strongly feel a good mix of the Generation Next agenda of Dr. Nentawe; the time is now philosophy of Hon. Barr. Mutfwang and the consolidation blueprint of Dr. Dakum will ultimately advance the cause of a new Plateau. In other words, whoever wins the governorship in the state should consider it a priority to acquire and harmonise the blueprints of all the candidates towards building an enviable plateau where we can all be proud of in the community of states. 

Their excellencies Dr. Patrick Dakum; Hon. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda have told us in one and categorical frequency that they are for the unity, progress and prosperity of plateau State. Therefore, we must key into this family consensus or commitment to order our respective campaigns in a fashion that reflects this onerous motivation!

Those marshalling political propaganda as campaign strategy in the manner we are witnessing in the last few weeks are wrong and should stop it; those using character assassination as a weapon to outdo others are also wrong, avoid it. Only issue based campaigns are good enough for Plateau people whose trade in stock is rational gentlemanism!

Perhaps the unethical political horse ridding which has snowballed to shameless political propaganda and character assassination in Plateau state is triggered by politics of zoning which makes futuristic political projectors to feel uncomfortable with a situation where failure to clinch the seat will ultimately mean waiting for decades to try again. Zoning has shortrun stabilizing effect but technically longrun distabilising effect too. In other words, the seeds of discord sworn courtesy politics of zoning which is synonymous with politics of desperation in this clime has to be reviewed to through the chance open for interested but credible persons to try their luck. 

Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. There are no perfect systems, methods or arrangements by which nations thrive but what nations normally do when confronted with problems is to go for what works in promoting greater stability and development concurrently. A commanding debate on the stability and development benefits of our subsisting zoning arrangements or otherwise of it is being proposed, going forward. The wisdom of our living or death heroes/heroines who brought the practice of zoning for us is commendable but times are changing and there is need to fashion a new order that will take care of contemporary dynamics and threats to corporate peace in our collective heritage: Plateau. Who will even bother if our leaders are equitably transformative? 

By grand design, Plateau people are peaceful people. The very fibre and heritage of the people is peace, tourism and hospitality. Anything to the contrary is counterfeit and the residents know this. Therefore, we must keep within the promise of our callings as children of God and sustain our most cherished orientation which is centred on love, faith and unity of purpose in God and the the good of humanity.

While crystalise and eulogize our governorship candidates, let is not lost sight of those gunning for house of assembly representation from various state constituencies. Our representative democracy is three (3) arms structure, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. We do not elect members of the judiciary but are appointed by the executive with the understanding that they will function independently and impartially in interpreting laws. The president, governors and charmen of local governments are elected to function as executives while the legislature is composed of counsellors, house members and national assembly members (Senate and representative members) at their respective levels. 

Each of these arms at each level of government are independent and interdependent and are to serve as checks on one another under what is known as separation of power and the principle of checks and balances as propounded by a French political philosopher, historian, judge and man of letters, Baron de Montesqueau. Therefore, the house of assembly hopefuls are critical stakeholders and so must be scrutinised to ensure those our votes will go to for that matter have the requisite capacity to represent well without being 'rubber stamp' agents in the house of the people and house of necessary actions! 

Best wishes to 'the idea whose time has come' be he Mutfwang, Dakum or Nentawe. There is only one seat for grab at Little Rayfield for the faithful service of Plateau people. We cannot all be governor at the same time. If anyone does not make it today, tomorrow is another chance. The excuse Plateau people will not take is for anyone to be graciously favoured with the coveted seat of governor and then the favoured person failed to deliver. 

There is anxiety in every camp but let us take it easy, folks. 'The best laid plans can go so wrong' as Sidney Sheldon will put it and heaven shall not fall. There is life after the electioneering campaigns and with one of these three living assets of plateau as governor. May peace, unity and progress never elude us. God forbid failure of leadership in this state, Nigeria and the world at large!