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Gov Simon Lalong: setting the template of unity in diversity
Gov Simon Lalong: setting the template of unity in diversity
By Yakubu Dati
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” —Lao Tzu
Gov Simon Lalong was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Wednesday, to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the many good things he has done for the government and people of Plateau State recently.
Specifically, the Governor was in the Villa to appreciate the President for approving several projects in Plateau State including
a Cancer Centre for the University of Jos and the over N3 billion approved for the purpose; the establishment of an Orthopaedic Hospital in Jos; the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Wase; the Federal Polytechnic Shendam, the conversion of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, to a Federal University of Education; establishment of another Federal College of Education in the state and the establishment of a zonal campus of the Nigerian Law School for North-Central in Jos.
This, the governor made clear to reporters who tried to ambush him with barrage of questions while coming out of the villa, but not so surprisingly given the nature of Nigerian politics, it was his response on the issue of his acceptance to lead the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organization that was not only given prominence but made to overshadow all issues with his comment being twisted in the social media to give it a different meaning.
Welcome to Nigerian politics where opposition elements must ply their trade: Downplaying major milestones and confusing otherwise straight narratives through the promotion of self serving angles is the new low.
The slant given to Gov Lalong’s response on his acceptance to lead the presidential campaign falls in this category and is meant to obfuscate these achievements by throwing up sentimental issues that tend to divide the populace.
But one wonders why some are always ready to bring up the religious and ethnic cards when citizen cohesion and nation building as demonstrated by the Governor in highlighting the projects approved for his state, should be the focus.
According to research, there exists about 4,200 religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, movements and ultimate concerns, which at some point will be countless.
The Rwandan genocide that led to the slaughtering of about 800,000 persons in just 100 days, has according to a BBC report been traced to the exploitation of existing fault,-lines between the Tutsi and Hutu.
These imply the very intricate and diverse sentiment that prevail as far as religion and ethnicity are concerned, and why rather than use these fault lines to divide, they should form the basis for integration and peaceful coexistence which should be championed by all men of goodwill.
To paraphrase Gen Ibrahim Haruna rtd, on an ARISE TV interview “Why does the mass media think only of failure?”
Gov Lalong is rising above the fault lines of religion and ethnicity to project appreciation of religious tolerance and steer the nation away from plunging into the tenterhooks of war, to setting the building blocks for harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Lalong would, rather than dwell on what divides citizens, draws from his personal experience where his kith and kin are made of a fine mix of Christians and Muslims living in harmony, to build on.
Back to the villa interview. In response to a question about his acceptance to lead the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, the Governor used the analogy of the most respected Vatican potentate to underscore his proud religious heritage to promote the cardinal attribute of peace.
He said: “I hold a Papal knight and as a Catholic, everything we do, we do it and send the advice to the Pope. The Pope has not told me that what I’m doing is bad – as a catholic, we take that direction.”
The attempt by conflict merchants to confuse his metaphoric reference to his Knighthood of Saint Gregory the Great KSGG, is being weaponized for political mileage with the intention of plunging the most populous African country to war.
But the bid to misinterpret this analogy is dead on arrival, as many have come to understand the context it was used.
The Catholic Church has, over the years made it a policy to explore ways of opening avenues for interreligious harmony and the reference by Governor Lalong is an enunciation of this pursuit and his belief in peaceful coexistence.
As one whose worldview is shaped by unity in diversity, the Governor is driven to replicate this win win experience for national cohesion.
Therein lies his motivation to defend peaceful coexistence and promote the Tinubu/Shetima APC presidential ticket without fear or intimidation.
While his political traducers resort to exploiting the Freudian slip to ply their trade, men of goodwill will dig deeper and appreciate his internal train of thought that means no harm.
Yakubu Dati, a Commissioner of lands Plateau State can be reached on Yakubudati@gmail.com
Gov Simon Lalong: setting the template of unity in diversity
News
Yobe: teenage fight at wedding turns deadly in Potiskum
Yobe: teenage fight at wedding turns deadly in Potiskum
By: Zagazola Makama
A 17-year-old boy, Ishaku Idriss, has died following a violent clash among youths during a marriage ceremony in Garaganya village, Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Police sources said the incident occurred on March 31, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m. during a wedding ceremony, when youths from Dagare and Yabel villages engaged in a physical confrontation.
According to sources , the altercation escalated after Adamu Suleh, 16, of Dagare village, allegedly assaulted Ishaku Idriss, 17, of Yabel village, with a stick following an instigation involving one Shuaibu Yusuf, 27, also of Yabel village.
The victim was later said to have retaliated by attacking Usman Inusa, 14, of Dagare village, who struck him on the head with a stick, causing him to collapse.
He was initially rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, before being transferred to Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, where he was confirmed dead on April 4, 2026, at about 4:00 a.m.
Police authorities said the case was reported by the village head of Jumma’a Bogocho, Ahmadu Yusuf, who brought the matter to the Potiskum Police Division.
The suspects have been arrested, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Yobe: teenage fight at wedding turns deadly in Potiskum
News
One abducted victim escapes as bandits kill cyclist, detonate IEDs in New-Bussa in Niger
One abducted victim escapes as bandits kill cyclist, detonate IEDs in New-Bussa in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
One of the four abducted family members in the recent bandit attack at Baban-Rami in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has escaped from captivity, security sources have said.
The sources identified the victims as Suwaiba Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, Khadija Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, Fatima Sahabi Abdullahi and Nafisa Sahabi Buba Abdullahi.
They said Nafisa Sahabi Buba Abdullahi had successfully escaped from the abductors, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims unhurt.
The incident was a follow-up to an earlier attack in which the head of the family, Alhaji Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, was shot dead by suspected armed bandits.
In a related development, armed bandits reportedly detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along a bypass road near a damaged bridge in the Luma National Park forest axis of New-Bussa.
According to the sources, the attackers also shot dead a cyclist plying the route, while a truck driver travelling towards Wawa unknowingly drove over another IED, which exploded and damaged the vehicle.
The whereabouts of the truck driver were yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
Security operatives, including tactical teams and local vigilantes, have since been deployed to the area and are currently trailing the perpetrators.
Authorities said efforts were being intensified to secure the area, rescue victims and prevent further attacks.
One abducted victim escapes as bandits kill cyclist, detonate IEDs in New-Bussa in Niger
News
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Nasarawa State Command, Shetima Mohammed, has ordered an intensive manhunt for all perpetrators of the heinous act which led to the death of 11 residents in Udege.
He has equally directed all tactical teams and investigative units to ensure the prompt identification of the killers and further prosecution when they are finally caught.
He gave the directive recently when he
visited Udege Development Area in Nasarawa council Area following the recent communal attack that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property in the area.
During his visit to the affected communities of Akyawa and Udege Kasa on April 3, 2026, the CP expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident which claimed the lives of 11 residents and the further burning of several homes.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire community, assuring them of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is served accordingly.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the same day, involved hoodlums from one side suspected to have carried out a reprisal attack over the alleged killing of two of their kinsmen.
A release signed by the police spokesperson Raman Nansel noted that in the course of the attack, 11 persons were killed, while about 50 homes were burnt in Akyawa while Udege Kasa lost only two residences.
To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the CP has also directed the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of additional Police personnel, in synergy with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to provide adequate security and restore lasting peace in the area.
A stakeholders’ meeting was held during the visit, where the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
“The Command reassured members of the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, while proactive measures are in place to prevent any recurrence of violence.” Said the release.
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
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