Lalong vows to remain committed to good governance

By Nanmwa Golok

Plateau state governor Simon Lalong, has said that his administration would continue to remain committed to social justice and the provision of good Governance to all citizens of the state regardless of tribe and religion . Lalong made this known while speaking in his address on the occasion of the paying of traditional Eid – el Kabir homage of the Moslem Ummah in the state He said ” It is my pleasure to receive the Leadership and Representatives of the Moslem Ummah on the Plateau, on this occasion of the Traditional Paying of Sallah Homage to the Government of Plateau State.” “I am delighted that this is another visit that is an open exhibition of the Peaceful co-existence and inter-religious harmony we are enjoying in the State. Sharing in the joy and love of the celebration of this year’s Eid- El Kabir with the Moslem Ummah underscores our common humanity, and shows that our various convictions of faith pre disposes itself to good neighbourliness and brotherhood.” “I commend the entire Moslem Ummah on the Plateau for a peaceful and spiritually rewarding celebration;” this has not only shown that we are true people of faith, but has also gone further to prove that we are law abiding citizens, committed to having harmonious and peaceful environment.”

He also said “Let me also use this opportunity to extend the felicitations of the Government and good people of Plateaus State, to the Leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, under His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR, the Leadership of the various Councils of Ulammah in the country, the Jammatul Nasril Islam and indeed all Moslems in the Country, on the successful completion of the Eid El Kabir celebration.” “Eid-El Kabir celebration as conveyed in my Sallah Message to Plateau, is a celebration that acknowledges the place of God’s mercy, and provision for the sacrificial obedience of the Moslem faithful in worship of Allah (SWT). Prophet Ibrahim demonstrated this, in his willingness to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience and true worship to God. The reward for his obedience is the provision of a ram for sacrifice, and the multiple blessings and prosperity that followed his life on earth.” “I encourage you therefore, to always be compelled by your conviction of faith to live a life of obedience and true worship to Allah (SWT). You can be sure of the blessings of God in all your personal endeavours, and in the corporate blessing of our State and Country at large.”

“I will not fail to mention that as a Nation we are going through some very hard and trying moments. These challenges which have been occasioned by our trying economic experiences are redeemable, and with the purpose driven governance approach of Mr. President and the APC led Government, we are making headway and we would soon be getting out of the woods. We must continue to support the War Against Corruption even as we make efforts to recover all that have been looted by those who plundered our commonwealth”. We must also as people of faith, committed to a peaceful and progressive Nigeria, continue to stand up in open condemnation of all forms of hate and divisive speeches that have the treasonable potential to destabilize our Nation and set a united people against each other.’

“Christians and Moslems alike have the spiritual and patriotic duty of doing all that is necessary to preserve the unity of our Nation, and to promote the enthronement of all virtues, ideals and National ethos that will showcase Nigeria to the world as a multi-ethnic and religious Nation, whose diversity and pluralism, remain her cherished heritage and strength.” “As a Government, we remain committed to social justice and the provision of good Governance, through inclusive participation and a decentralized development that reaches all and sundry in the Plateau of our dream. We have not relented in speaking to the issues of concern, through acts and conducts that have proven we are on course in fulfilling our promises within the realistic limit of available resources. Through the spread of Political Appointments, the provision of physical infrastructures to all communities and our consultative style of governance, we have shown that the APC Rescue Administration in the State is people oriented.”

“We will continue to ensure that communities that have been deliberately neglected over the years are given a sense of belonging; and you are living witnesses of the interventions we have undertaken, in predominant Moslem settlements within the Metropolis and other neighbourhoods within the greater Jos Metropolis, which have been neglected in the past for ethnic and political reasons.”

Photo credits: Stephen Sarki Musa