The Profile Of Plateau State Governor & Director General, APC‘s Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Simon Bako Lalong.

Asiwaju & Lalong.

BIRTH: Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the quiet, gentle and unassuming personality, was born in Ajikamai Village, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday 5^th May 1963.

 

EDUCATION: He attended Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Primary School, Shendam (1977); Government Secondary School Shendam (1982); School of Preliminary Studies Keffi (1986); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1990); The Nigerian Law School Lagos (1991) and University of Jos (2006). He obtained the qualifications of Elementary School Certificate, GCE O’Level, IJMB A’ Level, Bachelor of Law (LL.B), Barrister at Law (BL) and Master in Law (LL.M) respectively.

PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCES:

Ø  National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja.

Ø  Worked with the prestigious T- Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos 1992.

Ø  Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos from 1997-1999 as a Managing Partner.

Ø  Established his Firm, Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners as the Principal Partner.

Ø  Assistant Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Plateau State Chapter from 1992 to 1994.

Ø  National President of Goemai Youth Movement.

 

POLITICAL CAREER:

Ø  Participated in the formation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State and at the grassroots in Shendam L.G.A. in 1999

Ø  Contested and won election into the Plateau State House of Assembly 1999 (Shendam State Constituency)

Ø  Re-elected into the Plateau State House of Assembly 1999 in 2003

Ø  Elected Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly 2000 (Served 2 terms 2000-2006)

Ø  Longest serving Speaker in Plateau State (survived Recall, impeached illegally and restored)

Ø  Served as Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary; Member, Committee on Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Public Accounts/Petition and Agriculture.

Ø  Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers

Ø  Chairman of Former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.

Ø  National Chairman, Forum of All Former Speakers of Nigeria (COFSSHA)

Ø  Elected Executive Governor of Plateau State 2015 defeating party in power, PDP

Ø  Elected Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum

Ø  Chairman Governance Committee of the NGF

Ø  Chairman APC Campaign Council for Ondo Gubernatorial Elections 2017

Ø  Member, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NPDHC) Board

Ø  Appointed Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Council

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS AS GOVERNOR:

Since obtaining the people’s mandate as the 5^th Executive Governor of Plateau State on 29^th May 2015, His Excellency has maintained a solemn pledge to truthfully serve with Integrity, Accountability and Transparency as Hallmarks of good governance to ensure justice and equity. In fact, he has made giant strides in virtually all facets of Governance, Peace and Security. He has also engendered the Change Mantra to Rescue Plateau, anchored on the principle of Justice, Equity, Unity, Social Services delivery particularly infrastructure development, Education, and Agricultural production that are panacea for Sustainable Peace and Development.

In 2015, Governor Lalong’s Rescue Administration started under a 5-Pillar Policy Thrust, namely: Peace, Security and Good Governance; Human Capital Development and Social Welfare; Agriculture and Rural Development; Entrepreneurship and Industrialization; and Physical Infrastructure and Environment. Immediately the governor was sworn in for a second term, he wasted no time in continuing his Rescue Mission with a re-evaluation of the performances of the first four years and projecting ahead. He commissioned the famous Boston Consulting Group to develop a 5-Year Strategic Development Plan for Plateau State. This was done in line with the second term Next Level Vision which is anchored on a three-pillar policy thrust namely: Peace, Security, and good governance; Physical Infrastructural Development; and Sustainable Economic Re-birth. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the Lalong administration inherited so many problems and amidst limited resources, high expectations and competing demands, the government settled down for business under the purposeful leadership of Governor Lalong. It is important to note that Governor Lalong chose a leadership style that differed contrastingly from that of his predecessors where despite taking over from a different political party (PDP), he chose to continue with inherited and abandoned projects rather than jettisoning them as has been the pattern previously. Many have been completed for the interest of the citizens of Plateau State. 

Below are some of highlights of projects and achievements of his administration:

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.

1.     Construction of Mararaban Jama’a Secretariat dual carriage road inherited from previous administration

2.      Completion of Secretariat flyover bridge inherited from previous administration at 30%

3.      Installation of Street Lights across the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis

4.      Construction of Rantya-Rafiki-Dong-Wild life park road

5.      Reconstruction of several township roads within Jos-Bukuru metropolis

6.      Maintenance and rehabilitation of 29 urban roads under Operation Zero Potholes

7.      Construction of Longvel-Yelwa-Mato Junction-Taraba border road

8.      Constructed Kalong & Angwan Dadi, Shendam road (with the longest bridge in Plateau)

9.      Completed Abandoned Conference Hall, Fuel dump and other facilities at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.

10.  Construction of Mangu –bye pass road

11.  Construction of Shendam Township roads and bridges

12.   Construction of Ajikamai Township roads

13.  Construction of the British-American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction roundabout

WATER AND SANITATION

1.      Resuscitation and Rehabilitation of Shendam Water Treatment Plant

2.      Rehabilitation of Yelwa Water Works

3.      Construction of a new Water Treatment Plant and Distribution Network system in Riyom, Tahoss and Rahoss

4.  Provided over 128 Hand Pump Boreholes as well as rehabilitated 34 others and 14 Solar Panel Boreholes across various communities in the State.

5.Construction of mini treatment plants and supply of 5.5KVA generator and minimal reticulation with water kiosks in Kalong, Shimankar, Demshin, Bakin Kogi, Fang, Sopp, Tom Gangare, Tse as well as transmission of water pipeline from Yelwa to Ajikamai.

6.   Signed into law and gazetted the Plateau State Water Sector Law which gave rise to four agencies. These include Jos Water Services Corporation; Plateau State Municipal Water Supply Agency; Plateau State Water Regulatory Commission; and the Plateau Rural Water Supply Agency.

7.  Passed and gazetted the Plateau State Energy Corporation Law to establish an agency to harvest investment into the energy sector of the State especially in the rural areas.

PEACE & SECURITY

1.      Restored substantial peace to Plateau State and created confidence among citizens.

2.      Established the Plateau Peace Building Agency, the first of its kind in Nigeria to drive understanding, reconciliation, forgiveness and synergy in dispute resolution.

3.      Reinvigorated Operation Rainbow and strengthened intelligence gathering using the community driven approach and early warning systems

4.      Built and commissioned Operation Rainbow Surveillance Centre at Dutse Uku (Jos Jarawa) equipped with surveillance equipment and a watchtower.

5.      Set up mechanisms for Community Policing and deployed volunteers

6.      Purchased and distributed operational vehicles to security agencies.

7.      Harmonized operations of all community watch groups, vigilante associations, hunters and similar bodies.

8.      Established the Plateau Inter-religious Council

9.      Declared 7^th February every year as Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

GOOD GOVERNANCE

1.      Established the Treasury Single Account (TSA)

2.      Created the Efficiency Unit

3.      Set up the Liquidity Committee

4.      Established the Project Monitoring and Result Delivery Unit (PMRDO)

5.      Plateau State adjudged as the second least corrupt State in Nigeria by the 2nd Corruption Survey Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2019.

6.      Restoration of 2 First Class; 6 Second class; and 10 Third Class Chiefdoms and Districts that were scrapped by the previous administration

7.      Set us mechanism for the implementation of Autonomy for the Legislature and Judiciary, the Executive arms of Government

8.      First Governor to implement full Autonomy for Legislature and Judiciary having implemented same for Local Government.

INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND JOB CREATION

1.      Set up the Plateau Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (PLASMEDA)

2.      Trained over 50,000 youths in various skills and empowered them to start various businesses

3.      Produced the overall winner of maiden MSME National Award Jerry Mallo 2017.

4.      Produced another winner Luka Pam Bot in the 2018 MSMEs National Award

5.      Produced another winner in 2019, Mafeng Woodcraft

6.      Established the One Stop Investment Centre to facilitate the establishment of businesses

 

LALONG LEGACY PROJECTS

1.      Construction of world class schools and hospitals in the three senatorial districts, cutting across Education and Health sectors.

2.      These comprise of 8 primary schools, 6 secondary schools, and 6 hospitals

3.      Construction of Plateau State, Jos ultra-modern High Court Complex Government

HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT

1.      Construction of new Mega Hospitals in Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Shendam LGA under the Lalong Legacy Projects (ongoing)

2.      Completed abandoned hospital and Trauma Centre, Riyom LGA

3.      Completed abandoned hospital Kanke LGA

4.      Completed abandoned hospital Mabudi, Lantang South LGA

5.      Complete Renovation and Equipping of the Jos Specialist Hospital

6.      Accreditation of some courses offered by the Colleges of Health Pankshin and Zawan

7.      Installation and Equipping of Ultra-modern E-Library facilities at the College of Health, Zawan.

WORKERS’ WELFARE, SALARIES, PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES

1.      Paid inherited salary arrears  of 8 months from the past administration

2.      Paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy by the past administration

3.      Consistent in payment of salaries before the 25^th of every month since assuming office which earned him the name “Governor Alert” by the State workers.

4.      Received award of excellence for welfare of workers by the Joint Unions of State Owned Tertiary Institutions in Plateau State (JUPTI).

5.      Up to date in payment of pension and currently working on an arrangement with financial institutions to offset all backlog of entitlements and death benefits of retirees.

AGRICULTURE

1.      Reactivated the moribund Bokkos Fertilizer Plant which is now producing quality fertilizers

2.      Partnered with AfDB-funded Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme.

3.      Constructed infrastructure such as market stalls and technology centres under the   Potato Value Chain Support Project (PVCSP)

4.      Reactivated the Bokkos Fertilizer Blending Plant to provide high quality fertilizers.

5.      Procured 400 units of tractors for the Community-Based Farmer Tractorization Programme

6.      Earmarked Wase and Kanam Grazing Reserves for ranching and keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) of the Federal Government.

7.      Constructed Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory in Mangu LGA 

8.      Reacquired the BARC Farms Zallaki, Bassa LGA

9.      Procured 1,500 irrigation Water Pumps distributed to farmers in the 17 Local Government Areas

10.  Profiled and empowered 150 farmers for wheat and barley production in Plateau State.

11.  Revamped the Agricultural Services And Training Centre Ltd. (ASTC).

EDUCATION

1.      Payment of Backlog of Scholarships to Students of Law School and other Tertiary Institution

2.      Restored Academic activities at the Plateau State University, Bokkos and accreditation of 17 courses.

Gov. Lalong.

1.      Organised 1^st 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th convocation and ensured creation of 3 new Faculties (Health Sciences, Law and Environmental Science)

2.      Released the sum of N500 million for infrastructural development at the Plateau State University.

3.      Infrastructural Development at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi and accreditation of courses.

4.      About 4,800 primary school teachers were recruited and trained across the state.

5.      Sponsored and paid scholarships of 28 indigenous students at the Egyptian Maritime Academy, Alexandria

6.      Recall of over 2,000 sacked teachers by immediate past administration.

7.      Lobbied for several Tetfund projects at the Plateau State University Bokkos (PLASU), Plateau Polytechnic, College of Education Gindiri among others.

8.      Established faculties of Health Sciences, Environmental Science, Law and Agriculture at the Plateau State University (PLASU).

9.      constructed 639 Primary and Junior Secondary school classrooms across the 17 Local Governments

10.  Renovated 724 classrooms across the State and fenced many others

11.  Renovated many Examination Halls and built more than 200 toilets in various schools

12.  Procured and distributed 55,985 Tables and Chairs for Primary and Junior Secondary schools

13.  Achieved 100% accreditation of courses at the College of Education Gindiri and organised Combined Convocation for six sets of students for the first time in 15 years

14.  Restored Diploma programmes at the College of Arts, Science, and Technology Kurgwi,

15.  In the process of establishing Government Technical Colleges in Shendam and Pankshin in addition to renovation of existing Government Technical College Bukuru.

 

TRANSPORT

1.      Completed negotiations for the supply of 100 Buses on special purpose vehicle for the Plateau Express Services Limited

2.      Facilitated 50% percent grant for the Plateau State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for the procurement of 80 Units of Ford Galaxy Buses

3.      Purchased the Bus Terminal at Tafawa Belewa Street Jos from Nasarawa State Government

4.      On-going process for establishment of Plateau State Road Traffic Administration and Vehicle Inspection Authority

 

PROVIDING PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP TO THE NORTHERN STATE’S GOVERNORS FORUM

The election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State by his colleagues to Chair the Nigerian Northern States Governors Forum did not come to many as a surprise. This is because he has demonstrated leadership that is forward looking and seeks to unite people and resolve conflicts while pursuing development.

His strides in Plateau state that saw the restoration of peace and accelerated development provided a very good example for the entire Northern States to put their trust in him to lead them.

As Chairman Northern State’s Governors Forum, he has:

1.      Pushed for adoption of Community Policing by the Northern States

2.      Spearheaded the adoption and implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme by the Federal Government and Northern States.

3.      Coordinated the Response of the Northern States in the fight against COVID-19

4.      Lobbied for the payment of entitlements of employees of New Nigerian Newspapers

5.      Mediated in many disputes between various interests and groups in the North

6.      Facilitated timely intervention and reconciliation among parties on national issues towards restoring confidence and understanding.

7.      Spearheaded the final return of Almajiri children to their States of origin.

8.      Liaised seamlessly with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other institutions of the Federal Government in pushing the interests of the Northern Region.

9.      Spearheaded the development of new blueprint for economic revival of the Northern Region.

10.  Interfaced with relevant individuals, groups and institutions towards restoring the legacies of the Founding fathers of the North particularly the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello.

11.  Facilitated the take-off of the Hydro-power Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC)

12.  Canvassed for power shift to the South within his party, the APC

AWARDS, MEDALS AND TROPHIES.

 

1.      Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club (July 21st 2006).

2.      International Peace Awardee Center For

African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR),

California State University, Sacramento, USA

(April 28^th 2018).

3.      THE NATION’s Maiden Special Summit and

Award in recognition of giant strides in the area

of “Food and Agricultural Development in Plateau

State and Nigeria” (April 26^th 2018).

4.      THE BLUEPRINT’s Maiden Annual Impact Series Award

in recognition of giant strides in the area of “Tolerance,

Unity and Security as legacy for National Development”

(July 16^th 2018).

5.      Best Governor of the Year (Peace & Security) 2019 by The INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER Ltd. Publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday and Sunday Independent.

6.      Honourary Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Education (2018).

7.      Honourary Fellow of the College of Animal Health and

Production Technology (FCAHT), Vom, amongst others.

8.      Papal Knight Awardee of KNIGHT OF SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT (KSGG) January 25^th 2020.

9.      Honourary Fellow of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (Ffs, Hon) November 14^th 2020.

10.  Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Award for Peace and Infrastructural Development, 5^th March 2021

HONOURARY DEGREES.

 

1.                  Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Law

Achievers University (AU), Owo, Ondo State.

 

2.                  Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Political

Science and Social Development, Institute Superieur

de Management (ISM) Adonai University, (Affiliate of

The American University of Leadership, Florida, USA),

Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

TRADITIONAL TITLES RECEIVED

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong has received several traditional titles within and outside Plateau State. They include:

Ø  Gwat Goemai (Defender of Goemai Land)

Ø  Ganuwan Keffi (By Keffi Emirate)

Ø  Kurgwi of Ajikamai

Ø  Ikpaat of Ibaas Chiefdom (Shield of Ibaas Nation)

Ø  Ngu Epe Yil Jipal (The man who opens Jipal Land for good things)

Ø  Jarumin Gboggom (Gboggom Chief Chiefdom)

Ø  Miskaham Wangyil Chakfemland (Emancipator of Chakfemland)

    HOBBIES: His Excellency, Governor Lalong is a passionate Golfer (Two-time Captain of Rayfield Golf Club); Footballer and Active Rotarian. He is married to Her Excellency Mrs. Regina Lalong and blessed with three Children.