Culled from the reality newspaper

History was made on Saturday, 30^th December, 2017 in Langtang North Local Government, as a group of professionals known as Tarok Professionals (TP), gathered together at Havilla Garden in Langtang, to chart a new course for their people, the local government, Plateau state and the country at large.

The meeting which was the first by the group is predicated on lifting the burden of development of their society from government, helping the youth, projecting their society and above all developing the state and country at large.
  

The convener of the forum Chief Nanzing Nden, the Danmasani Langtang, while fielding questions from journalists present at the venue, stressed that there was no political connotation to the group but rather it was formed to chart a new way forward for their people.

According to Chief Nanzing Nden, “There is no political connotation to the forum that is why we called it “Tarok Professionals”.

“Primarily, we are only involved in sensitizing our people towards development. We wanted to divorce ourselves from the political class. We did not call anyone from the political class here because as far as we are concerned those in politics are not professionals because they are not involved in any gainful employment.”

“The meeting is about calling the Tarok Professionals together as a forum in order to see how we can discuss ways of helping our land. The Tarok land has been relegated for a long time and we want to see how we can come forward as professionals to chart a new way forward for our people.”

On his part, Selman Dashe, a civil servant, who was part of the meeting, allayed any fears of what the name of the group might imply.

According to him, “It is Tarok Professionals, but Langtang is a cosmopolitan society, so whoever resides in Langtang can benefit because he has something to contribute to the society. Some of them came in as traders, some as workers and some as entrepreneurs, so they are adding value to the community, so you can not cut them off. Sustainable development is an inclusive thing, not an exclusive affair. Like you know, Plateau is a home for everyone.”

Dashe went further to explain that, “Like the convener said earlier, the forum is apolitical and as you know sustainable development cannot be left in the hands of government alone. Professionals have to come in and see what they can do for the society vis a viz the trainings we have received. If we are able to open up our society, we feel the state would be better and Nigeria will be better off.”

The proprietor of Havilla Garden, Prince Gangtim Zhattau who could not hide his joy at the timeliness of the creation of the forum, was full of prayers for the conveners.

“This meeting is timely and quite appreciative. First of all mine is prayers to the conveners of this occasion and considering the economic situation in Nigeria and the Tarok community, it is an opportunity for us to think of how we are going to salvage our people, how our people will be able to get involved in the local economy, the state and the national economy in other to improve their standard of living”, Prince Gangtim stated.

At the end of the meeting, a “think tank” of 5 members including a secretariat was set up, to come up with evolving ways of how to push Tarok land forward.

The next meeting is expected to come up during the Easter holiday according to the conveners.

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Taroh professionals congregate, chart new course for next dispensation