By Matthew Tegha, Jos
Nigeria’s political landscape converged on Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday as Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and other eminent Nigerians gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of former Plateau State Governor and elder statesman, Senator Jonah David Jang.
The occasion, which also featured the public presentation of Jang’s autobiography titled “Airman to Politics: My Life,” drew an impressive gathering of serving and former governors, ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, traditional rulers, senior military officers, religious leaders, business executives, and political associates from across party lines.
The ceremony was both a celebration of a distinguished life and a reflection on Senator Jang’s decades of military, political, and public service to Plateau State and Nigeria.
Shettima: Jang’s Life Defined by Courage, Sacrifice and Peace
Vice President Kashim Shettima described Senator Jang as one of Nigeria’s distinguished elder statesmen whose life has been marked by courage, sacrifice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to national unity.
He said Jang’s leadership demonstrated that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, reconciliation, and purposeful leadership rather than bitterness and division.
According to the Vice President, Plateau possesses enormous economic opportunities capable of transforming the state into one of Nigeria’s most prosperous regions if sustained peace is maintained.
“I challenge the political, traditional and community leaders of Plateau State to rally together and bring enduring peace to this land. Plateau has everything it takes to become a model of national cohesion and prosperity. With visionary leadership, innovation and unity, the future is bright.”
Shettima urged younger Nigerians to reject inherited grievances and embrace forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, stressing that Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity should remain a source of national strength rather than conflict.
The Vice President also announced the appointment of Hon. Yakubu David Jang, son of the former governor, as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the appointment as recognition of competence, dedication and public service.
Jonathan: Jang Was Positively Stubborn for Plateau
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan described the celebration as a tribute to a life dedicated to faith, service, patriotism and leadership.
He said Senator Jang’s autobiography transcends a personal memoir, describing it as an important historical document that preserves the experiences, convictions and principles that shaped one of Nigeria’s respected public servants.
Jonathan recalled working closely with Jang during his administration, particularly when the former governor served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, describing him as dependable, courageous and deeply committed to Plateau State.
“Senator Jang is positively stubborn whenever he believes a decision is in the best interest of Plateau people.”
According to Jonathan, that unwavering conviction reflected principled leadership rather than personal ambition.
He commended Jang for remaining steadfast during challenging periods in Nigeria’s democratic journey while consistently advocating justice, equity and national unity.
Mutfwang: Jang Shaped My Political Journey
Paying glowing tribute to his predecessor, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang described Senator Jang as a father, mentor and political role model whose leadership significantly shaped his own political philosophy.
The governor revealed that long before becoming governor, he had admired Jang’s disciplined style of governance, adding that a private leadership conversation with the elder statesman in 2016 profoundly influenced his approach to public service.
“I have looked for opportunities to show you my honour, and today God has given me the privilege to fulfil a pledge I made to God that as long as I live, I will honour you,” Mutfwang declared.
“This is not only because of the role you played in my emergence as Governor of Plateau State, but because you became a role model for me.”
The governor praised Senator Jang for laying enduring foundations for Plateau’s development through investments in infrastructure, governance reforms and institution building.
He particularly singled out the New Government House in Little Rayfield as one of Nigeria’s finest government complexes and a lasting symbol of visionary leadership.
Governor Mutfwang disclosed that his administration has deliberately continued several strategic projects initiated during Jang’s administration but left uncompleted.
“We have taken deliberate steps to complete strategic projects you could not complete while in office because we believe they remain critical to the development of Plateau State.”
He further called for national recognition of both Senator Jonah Jang and the late Chief Solomon Daushep Lar for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle through the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
The governor urged younger Nigerians to cultivate respect for elders and national leaders, stressing that societies grow stronger when they honour those who have made significant sacrifices for future generations.
Nentawe: Jang Remains a Towering Figure
National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described Senator Jang as a towering figure of integrity, deep faith and uncommon patriotism.
Although from a different political tradition, Yilwatda noted that leadership should always be celebrated beyond party affiliations.
He prayed for God’s continued blessings, strength and wisdom upon the elder statesman, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience would continue to benefit Plateau State and Nigeria.
Jang: The Book Sets the Record Straight
Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Jonah David Jang expressed gratitude to God for preserving his life to witness his 80th birthday and the unveiling of his autobiography.
He thanked Governor Mutfwang, the Plateau State Government and the people of Plateau State for organizing the celebration, while expressing appreciation to Vice President Shettima for attending despite his busy national schedule.
The retired Air Commodore explained that he wrote the autobiography after persistent encouragement from his son, Hon. Yakubu Jang, to preserve an accurate historical account of his life and public service.
According to him, the memoir was never intended to attack critics or settle political scores.
Instead, he said the book seeks to present the truth behind many major decisions taken during his years in office and correct longstanding misconceptions surrounding his career.
Jang acknowledged the roles played by former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan at different stages of his public service journey.
He particularly commended Jonathan for appointing a Grade A minister from Plateau State, approving the refund of funds spent by Plateau on federal roads and authorising the establishment of Operation Rainbow, which strengthened the state’s community-based security architecture.
Reflecting on his life’s journey, Jang reminded Nigerians that political office, wealth and fame are temporary.
“What truly endures is character, faith, service to humanity and a relationship with God,” he said.
He encouraged young Nigerians to embrace Christ early in life, stressing that earthly accomplishments can never compare with the eternal value of salvation.
“A Man’s Argument With History”
Renowned journalist and broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye, who reviewed the autobiography, described the memoir as “a man’s argument with history.”
He said the book chronicles Jang’s extraordinary journey from a young boy in Du, Jos South Local Government Area, to becoming an Air Force officer, Military Governor of Benue and old Gongola States, two-term Governor of Plateau State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and later Senator representing Plateau North.
According to Okinbaloye, the autobiography offers lessons on leadership, identity, integrity, faith, peacebuilding and resilience while providing readers with the author’s personal perspective on some of the defining moments in Plateau State and Nigeria’s political evolution.
Goodwill Messages
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Emir of Kanam, His Royal Highness Alhaji Mu’azu Muhammadu II, who represented the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba; Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba; former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; and several other dignitaries.
Speakers unanimously described Jang as a courageous leader whose legacy of discipline, courage, justice and service continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.
A Life of Service
Born in Du, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang enlisted in the Nigerian Air Force in 1965 and rose through the ranks to become an Air Commodore before voluntarily retiring from military service in 1990.
He later served as Military Governor of Benue State, Military Administrator of the old Gongola State, two-term Governor of Plateau State (2007–2015), Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District (2015–2019).
His autobiography, Airman to Politics: My Life, chronicles that remarkable journey and provides a first-hand account of leadership, governance, military service and Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The ceremony ended on a celebratory note with the official unveiling of the autobiography and the announcement of Hon. Yakubu David Jang’s appointment as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawing prolonged applause from guests and bringing to a fitting close a day dedicated to honouring one of Plateau State’s most influential political figures.
