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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
Farmer shoots herder to death after farm dispute in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A herder has been shot dead following an altercation with a farmer over grazing in Guwal Village, Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 15 when Adamu Salisu, aged 65, and his son, Salisu Adamu, aged 30, were harvesting crops on their farm.
The source said a herder, Saleh, aged 30, from Chalu Village, moved his cattle into the farm and began grazing on the farmer’s legumes, prompting a confrontation.
“An altercation ensued when Adamu Salisu cautioned the herder to remove his cattle. The herder then attacked the farmer and his son with a machete, injuring them on the hand,” the source said.
According to the source, the farmer retaliated by shooting the herder in the stomach with a Dane gun.
Saleh was evacuated to General Hospital, Kwaya Kusar by the police but was certified dead on arrival. The corpse was photographed and released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.
The farmer and his son received treatment for machete injuries sustained during the incident, while the suspect has been arrested and exhibits recovered.
Authorities have urged residents to seek peaceful resolution in disputes and to report any violent incidents to security agencies to prevent escalation.
Farmer shoots herder to death after farm dispute in Borno
Gombe: Ex-PDP guber candidate announces defection to ADC
Mr Jibrin Barde, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe, in the 2023 General Election has formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Party(ADC).
Barde made the announcement in Gombe on Tuesday night during a chat with journalists in the state.
The announcement puts to rest, series of speculations about Barde’s actual party after leading some opposition blocs in July, to adopt ADC as a party for opposition coalition in the state.
Speaking about his defection, he said that he had since left the PDP early 2025 to join ADC with the mission to challenge the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state.
He said that though there had been speculations around the political party he belonged, with some speculating that he was a member of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“I don’t have any stint with the SDP; I was a member of the PDP, I left the PDP early this year.
“There had been speculations across the state, nobody is aware of anything but of course I have left the PDP.
” I have been a member of the ADC formally since early this year.
“I am a member of the ADC and anybody who claims not to be a member of the ADC should come and show his membership card.
“This is my membership card and I am ready to revalidate it,” he said.
Speaking on his role in opposition coalition, Barde said that he had been working in collaboration with other opposition coalition members to bring together all the parties.
He said that except opposition parties in the state worked together and stayed united on a course, it would be difficult to oust the APC government.
“I call on members of the ADC in the state to come together and let us get this coalition stronger, that is what has happened at the national level.”
He said that the ADC ran an open door policy and did not believe in imposition as the party remains one-man one-vote party.
Barde said that Atiku Abubakar, Nasiru El-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola had joined the ADC long ago. “What we are going to do now is revalidation of membership and mobilisation of new members.”
He called on the members of the PDP and all other opposition parties in the state to join the coalition movement to oust the All Progressives Congress at the state and national level.
Barde assured residents of Gombe State of good governance should the ADC form the next government, saying: “If we had taken over our government in 2023, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Gombe: Ex-PDP guber candidate announces defection to ADC
Gombe, UNICEF upgrade PHCs to improve maternal, child care
The Gombe State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has begun revitalising three primary healthcare facilities in Akko, Kwami, and Dukku Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Dr Habu Dahiru, the state’s Commissioner of Health, made the announcement on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the official handover of the facilities to contractors.
He said the government was focusing on upgrading all primary healthcare centres, as they served as the first point of care for patients in communities.
Dahiru explained that the revitalisation aimed to bring the facilities to level two standards, including climate-friendly structures, staff quarters, water supply, and solar-powered electricity.
UNICEF is supporting one facility in each of the three LGAs, with contractors mobilised to begin work and a completion timeline of three months.
The commissioner said the upgraded facilities would enhance maternal and infant care, particularly in labour rooms, pharmacies, and laboratories, benefiting overall community health services.
He urged community leaders in the three LGAs to cooperate with contractors to ensure timely completion of the project.
Dahiru commended UNICEF and other development partners for their contributions to improving healthcare for residents of Gombe State.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, said the project strengthened the healthcare system and aimed to save the lives of mothers and newborns.
She added that operational, well-equipped facilities attracted communities to seek care, stressing that access to water, toilets, and comfortable service areas improved utilisation.
Rafique hailed the partnership between Gombe State government and UNICEF in efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality across the state.
She noted that solar power, water supply, WASH systems, and facility service areas would be revitalised, urging stakeholders to ensure quality work for lasting community benefit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PHCs were handed over to the contractors by the Gombe State government and UNICEF for the commencement of works.
Gombe, UNICEF upgrade PHCs to improve maternal, child care
Farmer shoots herder to death after farm dispute in Borno
Gombe: Ex-PDP guber candidate announces defection to ADC
Gombe, UNICEF upgrade PHCs to improve maternal, child care
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