Prof. Mary Lar, wife of the late Chief Solomon Lar, Plateau State’s first civilian governor, has called on Nigerians to transcend tribal and religious differences and embrace values that promote peace, love, and unity.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of a two-day conference on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, organized by the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation in collaboration with the University of Jos’ Department of Political Science, Prof. Lar emphasized the critical need for national harmony.
Reflecting on her late husband’s legacy, she shared his poignant final words, urging her to prioritize peace and unity. “Following Solomon’s passing, I felt compelled to honor his last words by establishing a foundation dedicated to promoting these values,” she stated, highlighting the importance of respecting elders’ wisdom and fostering communal support.
Prof. Lar stressed the need to instill peace, love, and unity in children from an early age, citing a seven-year-old’s reflection that these values bring safety, happiness, and togetherness within families and communities.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Rahila Gowon lauded Mary Lar’s advocacy for nomadic education, noting Nigeria’s high rate of out-of-school children. She called for extending nomadic education to farming communities to ensure broader educational access.
Hon. Joshua Ubandoma Laven, Plateau State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, described Chief Solomon Lar as an icon of peace, love, and unity, whose governance championed human dignity and freedom from oppression. He urged Nigerians to uphold Lar’s legacy.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Secretary to the State Government Architect Samuel Jatau, reiterated the enduring impact of Chief Lar’s legacy on Plateau State and beyond. He encouraged the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation to expand its outreach and welcomed Mary Lar’s continued contributions to the state.
The Plateau State Government pledged 10 million naira to support the foundation’s initiatives, underscoring its commitment to sustaining the legacy of Chief Solomon Lar, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 80.
