Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed shock over the demise of the Management Committee Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government, Barrister Ezekiel Mandyau who died on Thursday evening at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
Mandyau was reported to be undergoing a treatment of pneumonia before his demise.
The Governor in a condolence message, according to a press release signed by the director of press affairs, Simon Macham Makut, described as shocking, the death of the Chairman whom he said was a vibrant grassroots politician that connected well with his people and served them with integrity, vision and excellence.
“This is a great loss to Plateau State because the late Barr. Mandyau played a very key role in the implementation of the Rescue Agenda in his Local Government, particularly as it relates to security and infrastructure development. Because of his leadership style, there was greater calm in Barkin Ladi as he adopted the early warning approach as well as community engagement and dialogue style to resolve issues”, Lalongsaid in the release.
Meanwhile, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Noel Donjur has tested positive to COVID-19 after the test that was conducted for members of the State EXCO on 1st July, 2020 was carried out on him.
Announcing this in a press release, the state commissioner of information and Publications, Dan Manjang said this followed the directive of Governor Lalong to all cabinet members to submit themselves to COVID-19 tests.
He said, “the outcome of the tests indicate that all other members of the State EXCO tested negative except the Chief of Staff who is asymptomatic and in good condition.
“Accordingly, health officials have commenced treatment for him at one of the isolation centres in the State capital Jos, while members of his family and other contacts are being traced and tested”, even as the Chief of Staff is said to be in high spirits.
Only a day earlier, the state Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Abe Aku had equally tested positive to the pandemic and is also being treated at one of the state’s isolation centres.
Meanwhile, other personal aides of the Governor, Permanent Secretaries, heads of parastatals as well as other senior civil servants conducted the test on Thursday 2nd July, 2020 and are awaiting the results.
