Since the death of the first executive governor of Plateau state, and the Pioneer chairman of the Ruling Peoples Democratic party PDP popularly called the emancipator, Chief Solomon Lar , Jos the state capital had been a beehive of activities as mourners and sympathizers throng his Beach road Residence of the elder statesman to sympathize and celebrate the life of the late Lar.
The death the Lar leaves a political leadership vacuum yearning to be filled by the people of good will in state.
Baba Lars performance as Governor , his involvement in National Politics and reports from close associates attest to the fact that he was a detribalized Gentlemen, a distinguished leader with National character and spread. His demise left so many citizens of the state wondering who wears the big shoes now that he is no more
Our correspondent observed that even in death, Lar who is popularly called the emancipator is still emancipating in death, as , residents of Langtang North Local Government Area, the home region of Mr. Lar, said the death of the elder statesman was a blessing rather than a misfortune.
They said the death of their kinsman had made their long awaited dreams of development come true as a number of roads and buildings had been rehabilitated and renovated, giving the entire council headquarters a new look.
A title holder at Pajat, Nanyah Daman, said, “We never expected such accelerated road construction in our communities, but due to preparations toward the burial of our emancipator, late Chief Solomon Lar, road projects that were abandoned several years are being re-constructed with speed.”
He said that most communities that had lost hope of having good roads and other social amenities were rejoicing because development had come to their domain.
Mr. Daman also noted that the entire southern Plateau State and some parts of Nasarawa State would greatly benefit from the road constructions.
In his words “ The road rehabilitation linking Langtong North through Mikang Shendam and Qan’pan LGA’s to Lafia, Nasarawa state is currently undergoing rehabilitation,” Mr. Daman said
It could be recalled that the Plateau State government had rehabilitated over 200 kilometres of federal roads in the state in preparation for the burial rites of the pioneer national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Solomon Lar.
Mr. Lar’s funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 14.
The Commissioner for Information, Yiljap Abraham, speaking recently at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Center, Jos, also said Friday this week had been declared work-free in the state and that a three-day mourning period would also be observed.
Mr. Abraham assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the funeral. He said 10, 000 mourners were expected in the state for the week long funeral program.
He further said Over ten thousand visitors are expected to be hosted in Jos, the Plateau state capital this weekend for the Burial ceremony of former Governor of Plateau state , Chief Solomon Lar,
According to him “ seeing that Late Chief Lar had in the course of his political life made clearly discernible impact on our national life as Nigerians, Governor Jang had constituted and inaugurated a National Funeral Planning Committee chaired by the former Minister of Information Prof Jerry Gana.
“Its membership encompassed officials from the Presidency, Plateau and Nasarawa state governments, the PDP National Secretariat, the family, the church, the Taroh community , the media and close associates and friends of the late Chief Lar.
“Governor Jang had earlier announced to the family and the nation that Chief Lar would be given state burial, and in consultation with the Presidency, his Nasarawa State counterpart and the family approved a full one week of activities that will usher in the funeral itself.
“I am glad to report that this committee has been meeting and strategizing and executing an elaborate action plan to accord every form of respect and honor to this towering son of the Middlebelt.
“The funeral programme of events as drawn up and released by the National Planning Committee is being diligently executed.
“A clear indication of this is that the Corpse was flown into the country in the Morning of last Friday,, and received by the Chief Mourner, Governor Jonah Jang in company of a representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, the family of the late Lar, the Peoples Democratic Party national Chairman Bamanga Tukur, leaders of the church, the Chairman and some members of the National Planning Committee and other illustrious sons and daughters of Nigeria.
“In all the Nine venues where funeral activities will be holding, there is massive renovation work going on – from the High court premises to the Rwang Pam stadium, the church, the chapel all in Jos to the stadium in Langtang, the personal residence of Chief Lar, the church and the graveside.
Indeed as for the grave which is located in the family burial ground in Kwallak village of Langtang North, government is building a Mausoleum with sufficient security safeguards.
“Also the High Court premises are being prepared to carry podiums and bear newly restructure conveniences. The Hon Chief Judge of Plateau will be leading both state-based and outside- Plateau judges, retired and serving on the Valedictory session.
The COCIN Headquarters church is being readied to accommodate about 5,000 worshippers, while the stadium renovation is going on and will be decorated with the National and PDP colours.
And as further mark of the love of the State for this political giant, the Governor has declared three days of Mourning and Friday 13th December as work-free day.
In his words “Governor Jang has been showing in every way that his predecessor and former Compatriot in the G34 deserves every honour that can be given in appreciation of his exceptionally exemplary leadership qualities and services to our State and nation at large.
“For this reason, the whole security apparatus in Plateau has been mobilized, with Heads of security agencies under the Joint Security Committee drawing up and adopting an Operational Order.
They have moved assets according to the evolving needs to cope with any challenges and will intensify all forms of patrols and spot checks in various entries and exit points of the state.
Also it could be recalled that Gov. Jonah Jang recently in Abuja, renamed the Plateau State University after Solomon Lar, the late first executive Governor of the state.
Mr. Jang announced this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, where the remains of the late politician were formally received on arrival from London
Meanwhile Former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Aliyu Akwe Doma has said that late Solomon Lar taught him politics, and described him as a man that lived for peace and justice.
Doma stated this recently when he paid a condolence visit at the late elder statesman’s Beach Road residence in Jos.
Doma called on citizens to emulate the life of the late Lar, saying Baba Lar was a man who loved peace and had the interest of the country at heart.
“He stood for justice. He taught me politics and guided me well. I will forever be grateful to him.”
Also speaking at the residence of the late elder statesman recently in Jos, the governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda said Solomon Lar would be missed for his love for humanity and quest for peace.
Also Former Secretary to the Plateau State government, Nde Samuel Gofwen also described the late Solomon Lar as a bridge builder, mentor, planner and administrator.
Gofwen made this known yesterday in a statement made available to Newsmen in Jos. Gofwen was the SSG when the late Solomon Lar was governor of the Old Plateau State.
The statement reads in parts; I was privileged to have been appointed by Solomon Lar as his SSG and we enjoyed excellent working relationship with him. “He was a good leader, bridge builder, mentor who ensured that developmental projects and scarce resources were judiciously and equitably allocated to all parts of the state using his emancipation philosophy to drive home the message that it is through social economic development that people can be free from all forms of oppression and deprivation.
He was a foremost champion and an advocate for the middle belt region. Lar would forever be missed but his numerous achievements are legacies that will no doubt endure and stand the test of time.
A Jos based legal practitioner Barrister Saminu Kure said it is clear that no politician in Plateau State and indeed the entire middle belt region can easily step into the shoes of the first civilian governor of the state who was also the pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar, now that he is no more.
According to him Lar was not only a political leader in the state and the middle belt region, but also across the entire northern bloc and the country as a whole going by the role he played in the enthronement of democracy.
He is considered a mentor whose views are relevant in who emerges governor of Plateau State, “Lar was regarded as a political “godfather” to many politicians.
Lar is a symbol of unity and father of all was easily identified with a white handkerchief which symbolizes peace and unity and his specially ordered Hausa long cap that signposts victory.
“His political antecedence may be too tall for an immediate replacement to be found.