Posted By Moses Gbande
For his efforts at ensuring that peace returns to Plateau
State as well as sustaining the path of reconciliation, Plateau State Governor upSimon Bako Lalong has emerged as the Daily Independent Newspaper Governor of
the Year 2019.
This cheering news was communicated to the Governor in a letter delivered by the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of the Daily IndependentNewspaper Mr. Steve Omanufeme during a visit to Government House, Rayfield-Jos on Wednesday 12th February 2020.
While making the presentation, Steve Omanufeme explained that
the Selection Committee, which looked for many qualities such as the passionfor good governance and priority to the security of lives and property selected Governor Lalong after a vigorous scrutiny.
He said, “the committee resolved that the selection of the Governor
of the Year should consider security as a major issue because it is the primaryduty of every government as it forms the pillar on which other indices rest. Without
security, there will be no development and even what has been achieved will easilybe wiped out”.
Lalong according to the Managing Director, became an obvious
choice because he has been able to bring calm to Plateau State by pursuing thepath of peace and reconciliation while also fighting crime. This situation he acknowledges,
is gradually bringing back the old glory of Plateau State which is undoubtedlthe Home of Peace and Tourism.
The Editor-in-Chief explained that although the security
challenges in Plateau State have not been completely resolved, the initiativesof Governor Lalong have proven to be effective in ensuring that violence is
curbed drastically through institutional development such as the establishment
of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, which is the first in the country and amodel that is being replicated.
Governor Lalong while accepting the Nomination described it
as a humbling experience considering the fact that his passion for peace is notonly a natural instinct, but a responsibility as the Chief Security of Plateau State.
He said “I was surprised when I heard that you had selected
me for the Governor of the Year Award because I always do my work withoutexpecting praises or awards. I am always convinced that the search for peace is
the right thing to do because there is nothing we can ever achieve in anatmosphere of violence and rancour. That is why I made peace my number one
priority since assuming office and by the grace of God, we have made a lot of
progress. We know that there is still more to be done hence our determination
to keep building institutions that will bring our people together so that we can identify the trouble makers and criminals and deal with them appropriately”.
Lalong also told his guests that the State recently held a
stakeholders meeting and resolved to reinvigorate the Operation Rainbow
Security Outfit and commence the implementation of the Community Policing Initiative enunciated by the Inspector General of Police.
Statement from the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State Dr. Makut Simon Macham says Governor Lalong thanked the Daily Independent Newspaper for the honour and
promised to redouble his efforts in enduring that lasting peace returns to Plateau
State as well as the entire Northern Region because of his position as the
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.
The Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos in March this year.
Nasarawa Reporters 