Lalong: Building peace on the Plateau
Little by little, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State is building structures towards sustainable peace. From the regular payments of emoluments to the civil servants, to the injection of 24,000 metric tonnes to farmers at subsidized rates, and the establishment of two zonal police commands in Bukuru and Pankshin, the underlying message is one […]
Little by little, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State is building structures towards sustainable peace. From the regular payments of emoluments to the civil servants, to the injection of 24,000 metric tonnes to farmers at subsidized rates, and the establishment of two zonal police commands in Bukuru and Pankshin, the underlying message is one – peace building.
The just concluded maiden Joscarnival made a strong statement on the return of peace on the plateau. Peace has indeed returned.
While labor unions in other climes are in the trenches embarking on aluta continua for workers’ salaries, Lalong’s Plateau has become the darling of comrades. Recently, he was presented with an award for payment of workers and pensioners by Ibrahim Khaleel, National President of local government unions (NULGE). Shortly after, The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has also shortlisted Gov. Lalong for award at its 10th quadrennial conference.
The return of peace is manifest from the influx of people into the state. Jos is not only regaining its lost glory as land of peace and tourism, but is becoming a favorite destination for conferences and retreats. In the past few weeks for instance, Jos played host to 3,000 participants for a weeklong event organised by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). Similarly about 200 children were at the Rayfield Golf Club to participate in a weeklong Children’s Golf tournament. Furthermore the state is still savoring the weeklong retreat by Sokoto State led by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Sultan of Sokoto, members of the State Executive council, boards and parastatals.
As the visitor’s needs for shelter, food, leisure and recreation are catered for; the city’s informal sector is brimming with activities. The petrol stations, fruit vendors,mai suyas, are all scrambling for a piece of the action.
The upsurge of human traffic and patronage is stretching the capacity of the 120 hotels in Jos to its limits. Little wonder, more hotels are springing up every day as vehicular traffic has replaced the former ghost town.
The attraction to the city as a result of the peace, alongside timely payments of salaries has culminated into a boisterous local economy. These economic activities generate employment opportunities for the teeming youths. Those with entrepreneurial attributes also find expression from the multiple business opportunities so provided. Most observers attribute the peace being enjoyed in Jos to the engagement of youthful energies into profitable enterprise. When the youths are engaged therefore, it diminishes their attraction to criminality and deviant behavior.
To many observers, the superlative performance of the Plateau United football club on top table of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not by accident. The peace at home has provided a great tonic for the boys to do exploit on the field of play.
The rousing reception received by Efe, winner of Big BrotherNaija, by the Government and people of Plateau has redefined Plateau as home of peace and tourism.
Yakubu Dati, Jos, Plateau State, [email protected]