” Strong women know that it’s not in the destination, it’s in the journey.”

By Chief Mike Cerutti Osagie

During a recent visit to Jos, Plateau – the popularly acclaimed city of peace/tourism in the Country I had decided to visit the new look Rayfield section of the state that houses the Plateau Government House.

My mission at the Government house was to drop a belated birthday book gifts and goodwill message to the Deputy Governor of the state, the technocratic Prof Tyoden.

On departing the Deputy Governors office and driving into town, I was amazed to see a mighty building tagged Beni Lar’s skill & Acquisition house.

There and then , I asked my driver, ” Is this not Beni, the late Solomon Dauship Lar’s daughter? And he nodded and confessed that the lady Beni Lar’s skill & acquisition efforts has not only helped the Langtang youths but not helping all and sundry in the state, be you Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa.

I was most impressed because skill acquisition efforts can lead to the freedom and emancipation of our people from poverty and unemployment because skill acquisition is the ability to be trained on a particular task or function and become expert in it. It is a pity that there is “ huge” parading of unemployment in many parts of the world of the third world Country because of lack of adequate skill acquisition initiatives.

Our further findings on Hon Beni Lar shows that she is a tireless trojan in her resolve to help the youths in area of skill acquisition.

Works Leader’s international magazine scooped that only recently, Hon Beni Lar – the member representing Langtang North and Langtang South in the Federal House of Representatives staged a 2 months skills acquisition training for women and youth.

The programme which was undertook in conjunction with the National Institute for Leather and Science Technology, saw over 100/ individuals from across the state trained on key skills including shoe making, bags making, belt making etc.

At the end of the programme, successful trainees were provided with basic machines , materials and token grants financially to enable them kick-start their business, this is no doubt a feat by Beni Lar Worthy of commendation.

It is no surprise then that for over a decade now, she has been consistently elected in the Federal House of Rep.

Beni Butmak Lar : In Brief

Hon Beni is the eldest daughter of Solomon Lar, a former Governor of Plateau State and Prof. Mary Lar.

While growing up, she once confessed that “My father taught me that there is no difference between a male and a female (child). He taught me to be hard-working; so, I trained as a lawyer just like him…and ventured into political life just like him “

She began her journey into political life first as a Special adviser in the Presidency and In 2007, she was elected to the House of Representatives In 2008, she served as the House of Representatives Chair on Women’s affairs.

As of July 2014, she represents the Langtang North and South constituency. She serves as Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights.

She has supported emergency funding for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), increased penalties for child abuse and the creation of a National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency.

In 2010, she participated in The GlobalPOWER® Women Network in Africa: Women Parliamentarians and Ministers United Against HIV/AIDS. She was one of only 11 women elected in 2007 who were re-elected in 2011 when the lower house was nearly 95% male.

After 2013 attacks by herdsmen in Langtang South left seventy people dead, she urged the Nigerian Federal government to improve the conditions of local roads, so as to make it possible for security forces to arrive in a timely manner.

She has also called for the creation of grazing reserves for Fulani herdsmen, saying:

“All who eat meat should be considerate enough to let go of their land for the source of the meat. Nigeria is blessed with enough land for everybody, and Nigerians should be gracious enough to recognize that the meat that the herdsman provides is for the community”.

In May 2014, she led a group of protesters from Nigerians United Against Terrorism, wearing T-shirts “with the inscription “#ReleaseOurGirls.””, showing solidarity with the Nigerian military in its efforts rescue the victims of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping.

Lar has been used as an example for strong women in government, although some argue that it was because of her ability to mix philanthropic gestures with politics that has kept her going.

She has advocated for more women in government and is part of a new trend of more women in government than ever before following Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

With her strong knack for skill acquisition efforts, her initiatives and vision is no doubt Worthy of commendation from all and sundry.

• Osagie, the word smith of this article is a professional word Smith, cum author, humanitarian, sSpeaker/A Brand . Image & Reputation ( B.I.R) Advisor.

He can be contacted via:
Tel : +234 7042631895
( corporate or WhatsApp)
E: [email protected]
Tweeters: @Ceruttiosagie

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Meet Beni Butmak Lar: A Rare Philanthropic Politician Worthy of Emulation – Chief Mike Cerutti Osagie