By Nanmwa Golok

On assumption of office in May 29th 2015, Governor Simon Lalong vowed to unite the 54 tribes on the plateau. Speaking to newsmen shortly after taking oath of office Lalong vowed to unite the different tribes in the state and to ensure that peace reigns in the state ” I would carry all tribes along in governance” According to Lalong, his mission as the governor of plateau state is to bring unity among all the tribes for peace and development to strive. ” I want to assure plateau people that we will not sleep until peace is restored permanently in the state because if our people cannot sleep, then we will not sleep as a government,”.

“The governor, who said he is not a governor for a section of the state but of the entire state,called on the people,muslims and christians,to love one another. “If we want plateau state to grow then we must forgive and forget,” he stated. It could be recalled that before now, plateau state was crisis ridden, this development forced so many citizens to flee the state. several persons were killed and properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed in the crisis in the past . But since the state governor Simon Lalong came on board, he has done enough to ensure that lasting peace is restored to the state. On resumption of office, Governor Lalong had immediately set up a 14-man Fulani/Berom peace committee to reconcile their differences towards ensuring lasting peace and this went a long way in restoring peace in the crisis prone zone.

Lalong also held meetings quarterly with invited stakeholders across the politcal parties in the state to chat a new course for plateau. He has also held several meetings with federal law makers and senators in the state in order to bring development to the people of the state, As it is in plateau, places tagged as no go areas no longer exist as lasting peace has been restored to the state. With the return of peace now, the plateau state governor Simon Lalong is working to ensure that the development comes to the state and to attract investors to plateau. As the governor spends 27 months in office citizens of plateau state have lauded Governor Simon Lalong for his efforts at uniting all tribes of the state.

They also hailed the governor for organising the recently concluded plateau carnival which further united plateau citizens. Remark Ditep, a citizens from Mangu local government area of the state stressed that the potentials of the carnival if fully harnessed is capable of changing the image of plateau because it truely represents the beautiful and hospitable dispositions of the people far from what is perceived outside. “We the people of the state are impressed with the turnout of people who flocked plateau for the event,despite that it is the first of its kind on the plateau, we are optimistic that the event will attract thousands of tourists to the state and that will as well generate huge revenue to the state if it is organised yearly,” he said. “Lalong has made so many achievements, especially in the areas of restoration of peace in the state, payment of workers salaries and completion of some on-going projects started by his predecessor.”

“Gov Lalong was fair in his political appointments and he is loved by citizens of the state. Nagelu Garba,another citizen of plateau said we commend the Lalong led administration for restoring lasting peace and uniting citizens of the state . We also commend Lalong for organising the Plateau carnival which was aimed at celebrating the socio-cultural endowments of the plateau people and also to make Jos to be best holiday destination in Nigeria for the season. The carnival also united citizens of the state. It could be recalled that recent Jos carnival started with a childrens fiesta and mountaineering the event later climaxed with the carnival with lots of artist coming into the state. Speaking at the maiden edition of the Jos Carnival which kicked with a fiesta for plateau children wife of the plateau Governor, Mrs. Regina Lalong, accompained by children,ushered in the carnival with a walk said that the carnival was, in itself, a testimony to the fact that permanent peace had retured to plateau.

“That we are holding a carnival confirms that plateau is stable and united ; it is a clarion call to the whole world to come to plateau and explore the massive opportunities it offers,” she said. She said that the carnival would then showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state to tourists and remind them of plateau’s place as the leading tourists destination in the country. Represented by Mrs Hassana Ayika, permanent secretary in the women affairs ministry, Mrs. Lalong commended organisers of the carnival for incorporating children in the activities. “We hope that this recognition will prepare the children for greater things; we hope they will feel challenged to contribute their quota to societal development.” she said.

Speaking earlier, Mr Peter Mwankon, Commissioner for Tourism,Culture and Hospitality, said that the carnival was organised to celebrate the restoration of peace in the state. “The carnival is also targeted at drawing investors’ attention to the need to establish patronise in plateau. “we have a peaceful,warm and serene environment with a unique climatic condition for investors to explore; we also want tourists to experience our rich cultural heritage.” Mwankon he said. Mwankon urged corporate bodies to partner with the state in sponsoring the carnival as an annual event expected to hold during the easter holiday. He said that the carnival was part of efforts towards diversifying the economy and raising plateau’s Internally Generayed Revenue(IGR). Highlights of the event included poetry,traditional dances,fashion parade and calisthenics display by children living with disabilities. The wife of the governor later cut the carnival cake.

It could be recalled that Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State had said the tourism potentials realized in his state is capable of taking youths off restiveness as he unveils the official logo and mascot for the 2017 maiden edition of the Jos Carnival with the theme ‘Glamour and Limitless Possibilities’. Lalong maintained that the carnival is aimed at promoting the cultural heritage, tourism potentials and business opportunities in the state and giving the state its rightful place as the home of peace and tourism in Nigeria. According to the Governor,”Tourism has the potential to keep productive youths engaged and can take youth off restiveness in the state and country in general especially with the return of peace in the state and having identified the tourism sector as key to the revenue drive of the rescue government.

“I am optimistic that with the participation of all our citizens cutting across cultures and traditions in the state, it will promote unity in diversity and by extension showcase our strength as a united people under God.” Lalong promised that his administration will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for all citizens of the state to go about their trades and vocations without any hindrance The Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism, Hon. Peter Mwatkon in his opening speech said the unveiling of the carnival Logo is the preliminary stage of the maiden edition of Jos Carnival officially starting April 2017 during Easter period in Jos.

He also called on all citizens of the state to support Gov Lalong at all times in order to continue to provide more dividends of democracy to the people .

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Simon Lalong is uniting all the tribes on the Plateau