Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has won the Business Day Newspaper peace award for his efforts that resulted in the prevailing peace in the state.

The Business Day States’ Competitiveness and Good Governance Award ceremony was held in Abuja on Thursday night.

Lalong, in an interview with newsmen after the ceremony, said he was dedicating the award to the people of Plateau for ensuring that peace reigned in the state.

“I thank God for the award, particularly as it pertains to peace and security and I dedicate it to the people of Plateau for their commitment to peace.

“This award has given me more energy to sustain peace in Plateau because the reward for good work is more work.’’
The governor said that with peace in place, many good things were bound to follow.

He said that due to the prevailing peace in the state, businesses were now thriving and that farmers had returned to their farms.

Lalong said that his administration would focus on other areas so that more awards would be won next year.

Meanwhile, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, whose state won the ‘Fastest Growing State Economy’ award, commended Business Day for the initiative.

Ganduje said that the award would promote competitiveness among states in the country.

In his remark, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the newspaper, said that the awards were initiated to encourage state governments to do more for their people.

Benue won the award for agricultural development while Jigawa won the transparency in government award.

Similarly, Edo and Enugu States jointly were declared winners as the most improved states in rural and urban infrastructure.

Kaduna and Ogun states secured the award for ease of doing business and housing development respectively.

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Lalong bags peace award