It is heart-warming for me on behalf of thousands of our members in Kogi Youth Forum for Good Governance across Kogi state to write this piece to drum support for an express appointment for one of our own, an icon, erudite administrator and an amazing politician, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the outgoing governor of Plateau state, as the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
Our organisation is a unique social group formed in 2012 with the sole objective of identifying credible individuals with observable passion and genuine commitment to serve the people and to encourage such persons to work harder to better the lots of the people around them and the society in general. Governor Lalong falls into this unique category of such personalities.
The vision of this organisation is to inspire individuals to do more in their fields of endeavour and to enhance the promotion of bonds of peace and friendship among Nigerians. We were attracted to him as a result of his massive contributions to humanity, his scorecard as well as the unique attributes found in his person.
This organisation works closely with the general public to get verifiable facts about his performance in and around Plateau state since his assumption of office in 2015 and we are convinced that he has performed creditably to the admiration of the general public especially to some of us from Kogi state.
Great minds achieve great feats and only mediocre hide under excuses for their non-performances when entrusted with public trust. Governor Lalong has done a lot to improve on the development of Plateau since he assumed office.
Many Nigerians are celebrating the uniqueness of Lalong who is also a critical stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and wears a beautiful mien cuts in with a disarming candour.
His mediatory and reconciliatory disposition as well as constructive outspokenness put him frontally in the reckoning for the APC national position. He has the capacity to attend to crucial issues affecting people with the required firm, decisive and constructive approach not fearing whose ox is gored in the process.
Governor Lalong is a rare gift to the polity, an intelligent politician, strategist, crowd puller, a trader in ideas and reality; his strength lies in his powers of ideas and commitment to the lofty goals of life. Before joining politics, he was distinctly a brand of some sort. A glittering icon, having broken the jinx that a civil servant is only fit for direction and not action.
His Excellency has borne out the truth in the aphorism that a golden fish has no hiding place. His name stands for so many things: administrator, policy analyst, a great mind with an incredible blend of depth and breath.
Lalong is a moral, political and economic genius. He is the gifted leader who is able to attract a visionary followership to advance the cause of the people. This is his luck as a classic instance of visionary followership, unwavering devotion to a noble course.
There is something magical about his political career that blossoms from a civil servant to a political prodigy of mass mobilisation in politics. He is always ready to effect development of his people without any sentiment of a sort.
All the way, his story has been smooth and yet replete with testimonies of challenges which could have eclipsed his success had he not learnt to fight his battle like a determined soldier.
His school of politics is with a difference as he carries out his activities with civility and unrivalled panache.
He is an embodiment of all the qualities found in a leader: a strength of character and tremendous self-control. His style and person has been defined by his background and upbringing.
Lalong is a leader par excellence who is so passionate about the welfare of the people such that it triggers him to wake at odd hours to dry-rum ideas that can help the welfare of the people.
As the out-going executive governor of Plateau state, he executed the office with his trademark and would be leaving office with indelible marks on the execution of public policy and programmes.
At the end of the call to duty in May 29 2023, the people of the Plateau would pay him a glowing tribute, describing him as a man of exceptional competence. Those he had helped into various positions would doff their hats for him for his contributions to humanity and celebrate his benevolence and humility.
As a manager of men and resources, he had dealt with people of various characters and different backgrounds. So there is little or no difference leaving the office as a governor for other things, as far as he is concerned his primary aim is service to the people.
This is the measure of a man who sees ultimate victory in the emancipation of his people and the triumph of good over evil. His life is therefore, most inspiring to the younger generation of Nigerians; instructive to those praying for a brighter future and food-for-thought for all lovers of God.
Whenever the name Simon Bako Lalong is mentioned, the realities that would come to mind are the unparalleled greatness, commitments, success, sheer determination, focus, dedication and hard work.
A lawyer and politician, he hails from Ajikamai in Shendam local government area of Plateau state. He acquired a Bachelor of law degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1990, went to the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Law School and had his one year compulsory studies and was called to bar in 1991. He then went on to obtain a Master Degree in Law (LLM) at the University of Jos in 2006.
After completing his mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja, he started his professional career with T-Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos in 1992.
He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co.in Jos from 1997- 1999 as a managing partner. He later established Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners, becoming the principal partner.
He took part in the formation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Shendam LGA in 1998, contested and won in the state House of Assembly elections in 1999 and represented Shendam constituency. He subsequently became the speaker of the state assembly in October 2000. While serving as Speaker, he simultaneously served as the chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers from 2001- 2002. He was the national chairman, Forum of All Former Speakers of Nigeria and also chairman of Former State Legislators, Plateau state chapter.
He contested for the governorship of Plateau in April 2015 elections under the Platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won overwhelmingly, repeating same in 2019 for his second term.
He was appointed the director general of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and he guided the party to a landslide victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The entire members of Kogi Youth Forum for Good Governance have resolved to support the candidacy of Simon Bako Lalong as the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation in the in-coming administration of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has demonstrated trust, commitment, honesty, kindness, love, humility and character.
He is a man who has paid his dues and he is eminently qualified to aspire, become and occupy the position in the coming administration as He would bring in the best practice in doing executive business.
Lalong will be fair to all Nigerians irrespective of political parties, gender, religion or tribes and most importantly, he will work for Nigeria with the fear of God.
Today, the Kogi Youth Forum for Good Governance is seeking support for an appointment for His Excellency Simon Bako Lalong as the next SGF as a result of his various accomplishments.
Ebune, president, North-central Initiative for Good Governance, writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.