Solomon Lar dies at 80

He died at the age of 80 at an American hospital where he had been receiving treatment, at about 9:00am Nigerian time yesterday, the Plateau State government announced through Commissioner of Information Pastor Abraham Yiljab. “The family has confirmed to Governor Jonah Jang that Chief Solomon Lar is dead,” Yiljap said in Jos yesterday. Later, […]

He died at the age of 80 at an American hospital where he had been receiving treatment, at about 9:00am Nigerian time yesterday, the Plateau State government announced through Commissioner of Information Pastor Abraham Yiljab.
“The family has confirmed to Governor Jonah Jang that Chief Solomon Lar is dead,” Yiljap said in Jos yesterday. Later, Governor Jang’s Director of Press & Public Affairs, James Mannok issued a statement expressing grief over the demise of the political icon.
“It is with great sadness that the Government of Plateau State received the death of Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, the first civilian governor of the state and the first National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party who passed away in the United States of America,” the statement said. It quoted Governor Jang as saying that Chief Lar was “a pillar of democracy, steadfast politician and a man of the people who is leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time.”
At the Jos Bank Road residence of the late politician, some relations and sympathisers were in sombre mood as others expressed their grief, wailing.  
In Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan lamented over Lar’s death, describing him as a great hero of the nation’s democracy. Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, in a statement last night, said Jonathan received the news of Lar’s demise with immense sadness and a feeling of immense national loss.  
He said the president believed that Lar would always be remembered for the exemplary humility, great vision, wisdom and maturity which he brought to political leadership in Nigeria for over 50 years as a legislator, executive governor, party leader and highly revered elder statesman.
Also, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), yesterday described the death of Lar as a ‘devastating loss’ to the people of Plateau State in particular and the nation in general.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said that with the death of Lar, Nigeria has lost a patriot of uncommon courage. The forum’s condolence was contained in a statement signed by Governor Aliyu’s spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo. The forum said Chief Lar was a recurrent decimal in the nation’s polity for over five decades and also called on the Plateau State government to honour the memory of the former governor.
Solomon Lar was born in Pongaa, in the southern Plateau town of Langtang in 1933. He attended Sudan United Mission School, Langtang (1944-49); Sudan United Teachers’ Training College, Gindiri (1950-53) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1966-70).
He was a member of the Federal Parliament between January 1960 and January 1966; governor of Plateau State between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983; Minister of Police Affairs between 1993 and 1994, and National Chairman of PDP between 1998 and 2002.
He later became chairman of the PDP Board Board of Trustees and resigned in February 2004, handing over to Chief Tony Anenih at a caucus in Abuja. In February 2010 then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Chairman of the Presidential committee tasked with recommending how to prevent further violence in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.