Late Chief Solomon Lar was first Executive Governor of Plateau State
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
The Plateau Our Heritage, (POH), group has spoken on the need for an accelerated action by the state governor, Simon Lalong to officially declare the Plateau State University, (PLASU), “as Solomon Daushep Lar University” in line with previous pronouncements by his predecessor.
It was recalled that former governor Jonah Jang had in 2013, renamed the state university after the late elder statesman and former governor of old Plateau State shortly after his demise as a mark of honour to an illustrious Plateau son.
The influential group made its position known when excitement had greeted the recent federal executive council’s approval of the sum of over six hundred million naira for the establishment of a Faculty of Medical Services at the Plateau State University.
Confusion as to the status of the institution’s name had taken centre stage in POH ‘s discussion on it’s WhatsApp platform where the money was said to be in aid of the “Plateau State University “, PLASU which to many, it was renamed after the late elder statesman.
While the argument persisted, it was observed that there was no legislative backing to support the change of name from PLASU to Solomon Lar university by the Jang administration, eventhough it is believed that something can be done to effect the needed change by governor Lalong.
For the POH, the late Chief Lar deserved the honour based on his sacrifice to not only to the state, but the country at large.
Chalya, in his observation noted that the recognition by the Jang administration then was “meant to serve as a motivation and not as an impediment to others’ achievements.
“While we look forward to the medical school producing some of the best brains in the near future, it will be great if the renaming is done as was publicly pronounced over 6 years ago”, he stressed.
Patricia Mamko on the other hand, said though, the executive pronouncement was not translated or passed into law by the state legislature., “There has to be an originating memo with approval from the Governor. (Simon Lalong). Chief S D Lar is no doubt one of our heroes and immortalizing him goes a long way to inspire generations of our people”, according to her.
However, a former lawmaker on the platform, Hon. Diket Plang offered some legal explanation, where he emphasized that “An executive bill should be generated for the repeal of The law establishing the PLASU to the Dtate House of Assembly for the renaming of the University and sign into law for official usage, otherwise the official declaration by the Governor (Jang) remains a mere pronouncement” as that was what is required if it has not been done to properly effect the change.
According to him, there are three ways this can be achieved , which are by either an executive generated bill, or lawmakers from chief’s Lar’s constituency to raise a reminder or a private bill by any concerned groups to the house of assembly for that purpose of renaming.
According to Danjuma Maina, even a “private bill introduced, supported and passed was evidenced by the pronouncement earlier made or without it, once Lawfully passed and assented to by the Governor, it becomes a legitimate Law”.
Howeever, the fear may be “unless, politics of party prejudices is used to frustrate such good objectives on the mere case of a good news though but brought by the wrong person or bad messenger.”
Chairman of the POH, Hon. Alex Kwapnoe and the convener, Hon. Pam Ayuba Dangwong expressed appreciation for the contribution by members, which to them, was in the spirit of the group’s mandate to explore the heritage of the state and have it into reckoning.
