SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY RT. HON. SIMON B. LALONG, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE CORONATION/PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF OFFICE TO LONG GOEMAI MISKOOM MARTINS MUDUUTRIE SHALDAS THE III AND THE 31ST LONG GOEMAI AT CENTENARY GROUND ON MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY, 2017

PROTOCOL

CULTURAL GREETINGS IN THE DIALECTIC TONGUE

This day marks yet another milestone in the annals of the history of the Goemai people, who as a civilized nation have over time preserved their rich cultural heritage. From time immemorial, the respect and honour the Gamai person shows to the traditional institution epitomizes the resolute commitment and determination of the entire Gamai Nation, to sustain and bequeath to posterity, the rich cultural heritage and traditional value of the Gamai.

Today’s coronation of a new Long Goemai and the observance of all the traditional rites of coronation, speaks volume of the desire of the entire Goemai Nation to sustain her traditional leadership and authority, for the preservation of the cultural value of the Gamai Nation.

At the coronation of the Agwom Izere on the 23rd of December, 2016, and that of the Ogomo Pengana on the 13th of January, 2017, I stated that my interest in the creation of chiefdoms and the recognition of traditional institutions, is to give communities a true sense of belonging, hinged on their peculiar ethnic identity. The culture and tradition of a people is their way of life, and the solid foundation upon which they build their orientation for community life. This should therefore not be taken lightly because what they give to the larger society, is a direct reflection of the values through which they have been nurtured.

The occupant of an exalted throne of a paramount ruler, as the custodian of these values and systems of traditional orientation, must be a person of integrity who himself understands and respect these cultural values and tradition which he now presides over.

Let me use this opportunity to once again congratulate Miskoom Martins Muduutrie Shaldas the III over his selection. The selection of the Long Gamai, Miskoom Martins Muduutrie Shaldas III through a credible and acceptable traditional process of selection, devoid of external interference of any kind, is indeed a testimony of the Gamai King Makers desire, to join hands with the new Monarch in building a strong traditional institution that will be respected by all. More often than not, where political interest interferes with time tested traditional processes of selection, the sanctity of the institution is desecrated and rival conflicts of interest result in the disruption of peace and peaceful co-existence. This is why in all my public engagement in all the areas where I had coronated Paramount Rulers, I had course to request a physical confirmation and validation of the process by the King Makers themselves before the official coronation.

In the same vein, the selection of the new Long Gamai has been validated by the King Makers’ affirmation of the credibility of the selection process which is solely their responsibility. I believe the Long Gamai’s selection past the judgment of the King Makers as it concerns their understanding of the values, norms and traditions of the Gamai Nation.
The selection of the new Long Gamai, I can say with a definite air of confidence, is a product of the Gamai King Makers’ recognition of his integrity, credibility and wealth of experience in Public Service, which they sufficiently believe he will bring to bear in leading the Goemai Nation.

Let me at this point congratulate and commend the King Makers for ensuring a peaceful, seamless and stormless selection of the New Long Gamai. The presentation of First Class Staff of Office to the Long Gamai who doubles as Vice Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, is a function of the credibility you injected into the selection process. May I also sincerely appreciate all the sub groups within the Goemai Nation that are gathered here today for this ceremony, including our Kinsmen of the Kwararafa Stock; indeed this is a good omen for the promotion of peaceful and harmonious relationship in our Modern Society.

To the New Long Gamai, HRH, Miskoom Martins Muduutrie Shaldas III, I urge you to use your wealth of experience in the Public Service and the depth of your cultural experience, to preserve the rich tradition of the Goemai Nation and build a cohesive community out of the Multi-ethnic residents of your traditional domain. The traditional Gamai Land is arable and for this reason, it has played host to different people co-existing peacefully with one another while making a living in the Land.

As custodian of the traditional institution of the Gamai, presiding over a multi – ethnic domain, your leadership must carry all and sundry along; As you do this, you must ensure that the hospitality of the Gamai does not lend itself to people who will become a threat to peace and Security.

Only recently, the Northern Governors and Traditional Rulers met in Kaduna to deliberate on Government’s Partnership with Traditional Institutions, to ensure peace and security through community policing and intelligence gathering, with traditional institutions also serving as alternative dispute resolution platforms, peace and security within society can be guaranteed. You will do well to task your traditional leadership across all levels to be alert to this responsibility.

Once more, let me reiterate that as part of our deliberate rural development strategy, the report before Government on the creation of chiefdoms, districts and village areas will be implemented. We promised our citizens this during the campaigns, and we initiated action with the establishment of the D. G. Fompun Committee. Now we have before the Executive Council for consideration, the report which will also be forwarded to the House of Assembly for Legal backing before implementation. We are committed to bringing justice and development nearer to the people and this we will achieve through this exercise.
As I conclude this address, I wish to call on all Goemai people to close ranks and support the new Long Gamai. Give him all the necessary cooperation needed for the advancement and protection of the tradition of the Gamai Nation, while striving to maintain peace and unity amongst all inhabitants of the traditional boundaries of Gamai Land.

Finally, may I enjoin the new Long Goemai to join hands with Government in our drive for peace, security and good governance, which is one of our Five Policy Thrust. As Long Goemai, you will need to Motivate and mobilize the people you lead to keep an abiding faith with the sincere efforts we have made, in making life better for our people. The times are no doubt hard, but we are doing our best to make the burden of existence lighter for our citizens. We will continue to do our best to provide the critical infrastructure we can provide, across the State, and this we will do within the limit of what we can realistically afford. Ours is a sincere Government and as such, we cannot promise what we cannot do; posterity will always be there to judge us and we have offered ourselves to so be judged when the time comes.
On behalf of the government and good people of Plateau State, I wish the Long Goemai Long Life, Grace and wisdom as he leads the Gamai Nation.

Thank you and God bless Plateau State.

Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive Governor

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Full Speech of Gov. Lalong at the coronation of new Long Goemai Miskoom Martins Shaldas