The Muslim Ummah in Plateau State on the occasion of the Eid-el Fitr Celebrations went on to pay hommage to the Plateau State Governor, Rt Hon Simon Lalong at the Old Government House Rayfield on Tuesday, 27th June 2017.
See More Photos and Governor Lalong’s address at the occasion
ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF
PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG ON THE OCCASION OF THE PAYING OF
TRADITIONAL EID – EL FITR HOMAGE OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH IN PLATEAU STATE ON THE
GOVERNOR, AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE RAYFIELD ON TUESDAY, 27TH JUNE
2017
PROTOCOL
It
is my pleasure to receive the Leadership and Representatives of the Muslim
Ummah on the Plateau, on the occasion of the Traditional Paying of Sallah
Homage to the Government of Plateau State.
I
am particularly delighted that this visit is another very visible exhibition of
the State of Peaceful co-existence and inter-religious harmony that is the
character of the people that make up the two dominant religious persuasions in Plateau
State. May I be quick to salute this display of spiritual convictions in action
and to commend the entire Moslem Ummah, for acknowledging with this simple act
that our religious professions without the positive acts that define it, are
but mere shadows of reality.
Let
me also use this opportunity to extend the felicitations of the Government and
good people of Plateaus State, to the Leadership of the Nigerian Supreme
Council of Islamic Affairs, under His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar
IIICFR, the Leadership
of the various Councils of Ulammas in the country, the Jammatul Nasril Islam
and indeed all Moslems in the Country, on the successful completion of the
Ramadan Fast and the celebration of the Eid-el Fitr.
Ramadan
as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a journey of spiritual discipline which
encourages the denial of comfort and the conscious inculcation of virtues of
prayers, empathy for the poor and the revival of all acts of Sunnah, in the
life of a Moslem faithful. Through the experiences of the Ramadan, mankind is
levelled on the common platform of shared humanity, and compelled in obedience
to the Almighty Allah (SWT) to avoid all negative attitudes and to focus on the
salvation of one’s soul.
The
virtues of the sharing of gifts, visitation, the giving of Zakatul Fitr
(Tithes), Sadakat (Alms) and the show of brotherly love as a display of the
peaceful disposition of Islam, are the positive lessons of the month of Ramadan,
which as Moslems we must allow to go beyond Ramadan. Islam preaches tolerance,
harmony, peaceful co-existence, good deeds and attitudes of obedience to
Almighty Allah (SWT) as guarantee for salvation and Aljannatu Firdaus (Paradise),
as the highest form of heavenly bliss which we cannot afford to miss.
As
Moslems, we must ensure we continue to live by these teachings to guarantee the
corporate existence of our State and Nation. This is where we find the strength
as a Government, for the strong condemnation of hate and divisive speeches,
that have the treasonable potential to destabilize our Nation and set a united
people against each other. As Christians and Moslems we have the spiritual and
patriotic duty of doing all that is necessary to preserve the unity of our
Nation, by rebuking agents of disunity and openly disassociating ourselves,
from any sectional, ethnic or myopic religious call that gives vent to the
secessionist opportunism of those who are alien to the labours of our heroes
past which have kept this Country as one indivisible entity. As a multi-ethnic
and religious Nation, our diversity and pluralism remains our cherished
heritage and strength in the comity of Nations.
As
a Government, we remain committed to providing good Governance and ensuring the
inclusive participation of all in the united and peaceful Plateau Project. We
have not relented in speaking to the issues of concern, through acts and conducts
that have proven our commitment to the very ideals of participatory Governance.
Through the spread of Political Appointments, the provision of physical
infrastructures to all communities and our consultative style of governance, we
have shown that the APC Rescue Administration in the State is a responsive
citizens Government.
We
have ensured that communities that have been deliberately neglected over the
years are given a sense of belonging. You are living witnesses of the
interventions we have undertaken in predominant Moslem settlements within Jos
Metropolis and beyond that have been neglected in the years past.
The
Leadership of the Moslem Communities in Plateau and the Council of Ulammas have
repeatedly reminded Government of their need for burial ground, Eid-Praying
Ground, the deplorable state of the metropolitan roads in predominant Moslem
neighbourhoods and the encroachment in the Sarduana Memorial College at Zaria
Road. I wish to assure you that considerable efforts have been done in
addressing these issues.
In
giving effect to my directive during your last Sallah visit, the Authority of
Jos North Local Government have secured a fifteen (15) hectare spread of land
in Babale for burial ground and efforts are being made to provide access roads
and culverts to the said site. Jos South and Barkin Ladi Local Government
Councils have completed negotiation for lands in Dadin Kowa and Kok Ward
respectively, for the purpose of acquisition for use as burial ground. The challenge
of finance has hindered the full take-over of the land, but the interest has
been secured.
We
have also as is evident undertaken the rehabilitation of urban roads within the
metropolis, and as you are all aware besides the rehabilitation of roads around
Nasarawa Gwong – Dilimi, Dutse Uku to Tina Junction, Bauchi Road – Congo
Russia, we have already awarded the contract for the construction of the Bauchi
Road – Angwan Rogo – Angwan Rimi Road; Salisu Adamu – New Market Roads. As soon
as full mobilizations of funds are made, the work which has already commenced
will be accelerated. Rest assured that we will by the special grace of God,
complete all these roads and provide other critical infrastructure in these
communities.
Let
me thank sincerely the Leadership of the Moslem Ummah in the State for the show
of understanding and patience on the issue of the encroachment in the Sarduana
Memorial College. Through your commitment to the peace building process on the
Plateau, we have collectively worked out a compensatory relocation scheme that
will address the issue of the existence of the college, and guarantee its
operation without let or hindrance.
Arrangements have been completed to perfect this understanding and I
assure you that at your next visit the matter will be laid to rest.
May
I also use this medium to continue to plead with you to show understanding with
Government on the current financial hiccups being experienced. Traditional
Ramadan and Sallah gifts which have not been forthcoming will be addressed soon
as we conquer the financial challenges occasioned by economic recession. Our
pledge to reconsider all these palliatives and the augmentation for Holy pilgrimages
will take centre stage as our finances improve. Meanwhile, we shall continue to
employ all means and put in place structures that will enhance the economic
well being of our citizens, so they can live a meaningful life of economic self
– sufficiency.
As
I conclude, let me again thank you for your show of support and solidarity with
this visit; Our Government is a people oriented Government and for this you
remain critical stakeholders in the Plateau Project. I urge you to continue employing
the platform of progressive dialogue as a viable vehicle for addressing issues
of interest. Through this you will continue to draw the attention of Government
to the needful and add value to Governance. We have seen the value in this and
this is why we have intensified efforts in sustaining the gains inherent in the
consultative and open door policy of our Government, as exhibited with the
different Town Hall and Stakeholders Meetings we have engaged in as our people
oriented style of Government.
Finally,
it is my earnest desires that you sustain your prayers for the recovery of Mr. President,
Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and for the peace, unity and progress of our Country.
I
thank you for this Traditional Sallah Homage and wish you a prosperous year of
blessing for your devotion in the sacrificial month of piety.
Happy
Eid – el Fitr celebration and God bless Plateau State.
Rt.
Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive
Governor
