Lalong tasks new special advisers on “Rescue Agenda”
Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has sworn-in 15 new special Advisers and charged them to add impetus to governance and the delivery of quality services to the people of the State.
Lalong, who spoke at the ceremony held on Wednesday in Jos, said that the appointee have great role to play ensuring that the “Rescue Administration” succeeds.
He urged them to bring to bear their wealth of experience that would promote quality and equitable leadership to the people.
“This is why you must consider these appointments as a great privilege for you to serve the people of Plateau
“by advancing the programmes and policies of the rescue administration.
“You must bring to the table fresh ideas and vigour that will advance the cause of the people who gave us their mandate to execute.
“You should be able to operate above personal and parochial interests because you have been called upon to serve the public and not yourselves or associates,” he said
The Governor admonished them to work in synergy with other appointees and civil servants within the Ministries, Department band Agencies ( MDAs) in executing various programmes and projects of government.
He advised them not to see their appointment as a licence for competition, show-of-power, or influence-peddling, but for service.
“You have to speak up at every given opportunity to project the true narratives of how our administration broke the jinx of governance by inheriting and completing many projects abandoned by the past government which was of a different political party.
“You should also showcase the many programmes and projects initiated and executed by this government which have touched lives positively,” he said.
The Governor seized the opportunity to appeal to all political actors within and outside the state to exercise restraint and show decorum in their utterances.
“On the impasse at the House of Assembly, I call on the good people of Plateau to disregard all the misinformation and campaign of calumny targeted at the government and my person over the recent events in the State House of Assembly.
“For us, this is the beauty of democracy and the dividends of autonomy which everyone knows that I fought for over many years.
“The legislature is an independent and autonomous arm of government, it must be allowed to resolve challenges and grow as an institution.
“After all, the third arm of government, the Judiciary is there for anyone who feels aggrieved over happenings in the house to approach it for remedy,” he said.
The Governor also inaugurated four honorary special advisers, two deputy chiefs of staff as well as the Board of the Plateau Solid Minerals Development Company Ltd.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Hon. Diket Plang, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, promised that the appointees would do their best to serve the same.
The Special Advisers include Assemblyman Diket Plang – Public Affairs, Mr Pam Dung Gyang – Political Affairs, retired Justice Philomina Lot- Judicial Affairs, Mr Ayuba Gufwan – Physically Challenged Affairs, Mr Jonathan Mawiyau — Legal Affairs, Mrs. Felicia Yakzum – Women Affairs, Assemblyman Joe Bukar – Legislative Affairs, Assemblyman Danladi Mann – Sports Affairs, Assemblyman Talatu Apini – Humanitarian Affairs and
Mr Bashir Sati – Inter-Party Affairs, others are Mr Kwamkur Samuel – Job Creation and Entrepreneurship, Dr David Laje – Religious Affairs (Christian), Assemblyman Sani Mudi – Religious Affairs (Muslim), retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Guar- Inter- Community Relations, Mr Ishaku Awatai – Minerals Development
Also, honorary special advisers are Nde Ezekiel Gomos – Economic Affairs/ Chairman of State Economic Advisory Team, Prof. Ochapa Onazi – Agriculture, Chief Michael Maqual – Youth Affairs and retired Maj.-Gen. Augustine Agundu – Intelligence
The two Deputy Chiefs of staff are Mr Salihu Kwando – Deputy Chief of Staff (General Administration) and Mr Ibrahim Saleh Maitala – Deputy Chief of Staff (Political Affairs)
