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Governor Simon Lalong
By Dauda Reng Pam
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has restated his commitment to remain unwaivered towards the welfare of serving and retired civil servants on the payroll of the state government through the prompt payment of salaries and emoluments, pensions and gratuities to enable him retain the prestigious nick name “Governor Alert”.
The title he meritoriously earned at the commencement of his first tenure, if not for the two to three months in recent times that saw him in reverse gear, almost, compromising the title willingly conferred on him by the rank and file of the state workforce.
Posterity will surely rate him higher, if he endeavours to close the ranks before the end of his second tenure in office, as he will be on record as the first democratically elected CEO, who handed over the reigns of governance to his successor without owing a dime as back log of salaries, thereby setting a new standard for upcoming CEOs of Plateau to emulate.
The God of Plateau politics seems to be kind to him for the good reasons,despite stiff opposition by detractors, the pendulum has continued to swing positively in his favour.
It is on record that despite being a minority both in tribe and religion, his colleagues on the northern Governors’ forum, found him worthy in character and reputation by unanimously electing him chairman, a rare feat in recent times.
The future for democracy in Nigeria and indeed Plateau state is certainly promising and the coast is clear for him to sojourn in affluence, influence and relevance,despite the murky and slippery nature of the corridors of power,only, if he remains constant and consistent in caring for them to the end.
Pam, JP, a veteran journalist, writes from Kangang, Jos, Plateau State
